Botox (botulinum toxin) is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in Canada, placing it above rhinoplasty, hair transplants, liposuction, and tummy tucks.
Botox injections can leave your skin looking and feeling smoother, whether injected into the forehead, neck, or other areas of the face.
But how does Botox work? And when should you consider getting it?
We’ll answer these and other key questions below.
What are Botox Injections and How Do They Work?
Whenever you smile, frown, laugh, or make any other facial expressions, certain muscles will be used simultaneously. Repetitive muscle contractions over years and decades will create wrinkles and fine lines in the skin and they will continue to become more visible the older you become.
But Botox injections can make a positive impact on your appearance and reduce the visibility of these signs of aging. Botox injected into targeted areas of the face will temporarily paralyze muscles and soften your wrinkles and fine lines. Your skin will appear refreshed, particularly after a series of Botox injections.
Botox can also be used to treat a number of conditions including chronic migraines and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) when injected into the areas affected (e.g. under the arms).
What Areas Can Botox Injections Treat?
Botox can be injected into several facial regions to target the following issues:
● Crow’s feet
● Frontalis (forehead)
● Glabella (angry lines)
● Smoker’s lines (above the upper lip)
● Masseter reduction
● Platysma (on the neck)
● Bunny lines
● Gummy smile (on either side of the mouth)
● Marionette lines (around the mouth)
We will conduct a comprehensive facial examination, covering muscular movements and the overall structure of your face, to identify the right injection sites and achieve your aesthetic goals.
When Should You Get Botox?
Patients aged 18 years and older can undergo Botox injections, although those who have the beginnings of permanent wrinkles benefit most. Botox can also be used at a younger age as a preventative measure. Some patients may combine Botox with other treatments designed to combat common signs of aging, such as dermal fillers (which add volume to sagging skin) or thread lifts.
Living a healthy lifestyle and staying hydrated can help your skin to stay at its best, but wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging. There is no right or wrong time to start exploring Botox. You should book your first Botox session whenever you start to become concerned with the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines in one or more areas of your face.
You will have an opportunity to discuss the treatment, your reasons for trying it, and what you hope to achieve during your consultation. This discussion is crucial for you to understand what to expect. We will answer any questions you may have and ensure that you feel comfortable before we begin your procedure.
Botox injections cannot be performed if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a skin infection, or if you take certain medications. We will provide more details on these restrictions if necessary.
How Much Time Will the Botox Injections Take?
Botox treatments typically take no longer than 15 minutes, though that may vary depending on the areas treated.
If you’re uncomfortable around needles and feel nervous about receiving Botox injections, we’ll happily take the time to set your mind at ease. We want you to feel completely relaxed and in good hands from the moment you walk into our clinic.
Follow-up sessions should be shorter than your initial treatment, especially if you wish to target the same areas each time.
How Long Will the Results Take to Show?
You will start to see the first results of your Botox injections around five days after the treatment. You will notice decreased movement in the muscles around the injection sites and your skin will start to appear smoother and look more youthful.
The full effect of the Botox should be visible after 10 to 12 days, and those results will remain for as long as four months. You will need subsequent injections if you want to maintain the results, and we can schedule regular appointments at carefully planned intervals as required.
Are There Any Risks You Need to Know Before You Try Botox?
One common concern patients share before they try Botox injections for the first time is whether their face will appear frozen. However, we aim to create a natural effect that will revitalize your face without it being obvious that you have undergone a procedure.
Complications from Botox injections are rare. We will review these before your treatment.
What Should You Do After Your Botox Injections?
Unlike cosmetic surgery, Botox injections are simple and straightforward, with no downtime. You won’t need to book days away from work to recover. If you want to, you can go back to the office and carry on with the rest of your day. Nobody will know that you have undergone a procedure.
There are certain steps you should take, though, to achieve the best results:
- Avoid massaging your face, or even rubbing it, for at least three hours. That may lead the Botox to spread to other areas.
- Do not do any activities that will make you sweat. Take care not to exercise vigorously, spend long periods in direct sunlight, take hot showers/baths, or use a sauna for at least six hours after treatment.
- Avoid lying down within four hours of your treatment, and don’t undergo further facial treatments (such as laser-based procedures or microdermabrasion) for 10 days (minimum).
We’ll be here to provide you with any advice or answers you need. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team with questions or concerns, no matter how small they may be.
How to Schedule Your Botox Injections
Botox can reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines effectively, with lasting results. If you have any questions or want to book a consultation with Dr. Rohit Kumar and his team, contact us today.
