Botox injections have become one of the most widely used procedures in the world. Facial botox is a frequent choice to address both practical and aesthetic concerns. If you're thinking about asking for the procedure, you can expect the following.
Safety
The use of botox is well-understood within the medical industry. Doctors consider it safe enough to administer on an outpatient basis in most cases. Symptoms are usually mild, with redness and swelling near the injection sites being among the most common side effects. Light bruising may occur in limited cases, too. A doctor will usually recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to treat any symptoms.
Where the botox injections go matters. Proximity to the eyelids, for example, may lead to a period where the eyelid droops due to the relaxing effect of the injection. A similar brief droopy effect may occur near the mouth.
Notably, there are some risks associated with less competent administration. Make sure you're dealing with a licensed practitioner who knows the procedure in and out.
Preparation
The main preparatory step for botox injections is to briefly discontinue the use of certain drugs. If you are using blood thinners, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, or allergy treatments, discuss these with your doctor during the consultation. Your physician may ask you to discontinue use several days before your session.
Time to Work
Facial botox procedures don't instantly yield results. However, you should see signs of improvement within a few days. Typically, the effect lasts for three or more months. Some folks may see results last longer. Patients who request facial botox for aesthetic reasons should schedule follow-up sessions to maintain their results.
Administration
The doctor will administer the injections using a small needle. Each shot lightly penetrates the surface of the skin. If you've never had botox before, the doctor may ask you to stick around for a little bit for observation just to be sure there are no side effects. Doctors also ask patients to stick around for observation if they haven't had injections in the target area before, even if they've had no trouble with botox elsewhere.
Care
Your doctor will strongly discourage strenuous activity following the procedure. Try to avoid touching the affected areas for the following day, too. The goal is to allow the injections to stay in the target areas to maximize effectiveness and minimize potential side effects. If you notice any reactions, contact a doctor immediately.
