What to Know About Botox
Botox. Chances are you’ve heard of it and you know exactly what it does. But if you’re wondering how long Botox lasts, when to get Botox for wrinkles or how big the benefits of Botox in the forehead can really be, you may be pleasantly surprised. What was once considered a cosmetic procedure reserved for celebrities and the very wealthy is now so popular, you probably know someone who’s had it. The bottom line is that Botox is an affordable and incredibly effective wrinkle solution that lasts for months — and sometimes, longer. And the earlier you start, the less intervention you may need later.
Where to Get Botox?
Botox was originally developed to treat excess sweating, but doctors noticed its anti-wrinkle effects on the skin. Botox, which contains the botulism toxin, paralyzes the muscle, resulting in a smooth, wrinkle-free finish on the skin. It’s the leading noninvasive anti-aging treatment for the forehead and in between the eyes, where deep wrinkles can be eliminated in a few short minutes — and after several tiny injections. Skilled practitioners also inject Botox around the eyes, and sometimes the mouth.
It’s best to go to your Botox appointment with no makeup. Your practitioner will wipe the treatment area with alcohol for cleanliness before injecting. Some physicians also apply a local anesthetic for pain relief, although it’s not necessary. Depending on the extent of your wrinkles and your desired outcome, you can expect up to a dozen small injections, and sometimes more. It takes up to 10 days to achieve the desired results, but you will notice an improvement within the first few days. Some patients may observe minor bruising at the injection site that lasts a few days, but otherwise, there is no recovery.
When Is the Best Age to Get Botox?
Whenever you start to notice “active wrinkles,” or those caused by muscle contraction, that’s the time Botox will be effective. Many patients start getting Botox in their early 20s and may choose to continue Botox treatments into their 70s or later.
Nevertheless, even if your flower of youth has spent its petals, you can still consider Botox if you’re 40, 50, 60 or beyond. But the odds are as you grow older, you may choose intervention in the form of fillers or surgery if you want to keep your youthful appearance.
When to Get Botox Redone
Botox and other injectables offer such incredible results that it’s easy to go overboard. It’s a slippery slope — get too much, and you may appear frozen, or get too little, and you risk needing more intervention later. Physicians typically recommend Botox refreshers every three to four months, but others return for more after six months or longer. And as you continue to get injected, you may find you need fewer treatments and smaller amounts as time passes.
Schedule an Appointment for Botox
Dr. Nathan Brought is a board-certified plastic surgeon who provides Botox and other cosmetic injectables to patients in the Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee region.
For more information about Botox, or to schedule an appointment, call SPRSI at 615-791-9090.
