Botox injections get the facts

You probably won’t be surprised to know that botox injections are the most common anti aging procedure in the western world.

If you want to stick to a non surgical anti aging treatment and you can cope with needles - botox injections could be what you’re looking for.

You may think it’s as simple as going to a botox party or booking yourself into the first clinic you find. OK this isn’t a surgical procedure - but the sensible approach is to tread carefully - do your research and make an informed choice.

After all you are talking about injecting neurotoxins into your face - it may seem normal because it’s common - but normal it isn’t.

With that in mind here’s my ten quick and simple questions to give you all the facts about botox cosmetic injections:

1. How does it work? Botox is a toxin which paralyzes the muscles around the wrinkle. The skin softens and relaxes and the wrinkle diminishes or disappears completely.
2. How long does it take? Depends how many wrinkles you are treating. Generally - if you have an experienced physician - he or she will be very quick. You will need a sterilizing swab and a local (topically applied) anaesthetic. Each injection takes only seconds and the whole procedure can be done in around 10-20 minutes.
3. Does It hurt? It depends on your pain threshold. The needles are very fine but you are having injections into your facial muscles. Generally expect nothing more than some small red marks at the injection point which are easily covered with make up. Occasionally patients report bruising around the injection site but this is unusual.
4. How long before I see results? Don’t expect immediate results from botox injections. It usually takes between 3-10 days for the injection to take effect. Some people claim to see an immediate change but this is very unlikely and may be just wishful thinking!
5. Can I carry on as normal afterwards? There isn’t any downtime with botox injections - you can resume work or normal activities immediately. But there are some things you should definitely avoid. Make sure you don’t fly anywhere or lie down soon afterwards - both can cause the botox toxin to migrate and you can get the droopy eyelid effect. You need to schedule an appointment early in the day for this reason.
6. Are there any side effects? Generally botox injections are quite safe and trouble free. Occasionally there are reports of side effects after the procedure. As well as eyelid drooping, botox users have reported: infection in the nose/throat, headaches and migraines, neck pain, nausea, bruising and soreness around the injections and - in very severe cases - paralysis of the facial muscles
7. Will I get the frozen face look? No point removing your wrinkles if you look like a zombie! This is the most frequently cited reason many women fear having botox. Too much or too frequent botox can definitely produce this strange effect and we’ve probably all spotted it at some time. The key is to find a good plastic surgeon with considerable experience of using botox. In the world of botox injections - less is definitely more - you can always go back for a top up.
8. Can I get botox injections at a party or in a spa? Well yes…if you want to take the risks. There are a large number of spas, salons and mobile “technicians” offering botox injections. But you’re unlikely to get the range of skills and experience you get from a registered and trained physician. In the end you get what you pay for.
9. How long will it last? The effects of Botox typically only last around three months before they start to wear off - the body absorbs and eliminates the toxin. Some people metabolise the toxin sooner than this - others take longer. Sunbathing can accelerate the rate at which botox is absorbed into the body meaning that you could need a top-up quicker if you are out in the sun or on holiday between appointments.
10. Do botox alternatives work? You can’t expect the same results from a skin care product. Having said that - there are an increasing number of products on the market that can provide a similar effect. Take a look at the Simply Anti Aging Skin Care site for an introduction to how botox alternatives work and a review of five of the best botox alternatives on the market.

So there we are - botox can give you a good result but you need to tread carefully and plan. If you commit to botox the costs can mount up and in the current economic climate you need to make sure you get value for money.

Related articles:

• A syringe full of active botox or saline solution?
• The real cost of botox injections