There may not be an actual fountain of youth, but people will be wondering if you found it. Botox injections can take years off your face. When performed by a skilled practitioner, Botox should make you look refreshed and well-rested.
Compared to a face-lift, Botox is much cheaper, but the results can be nearly as dramatic. On the website that rates cosmetic procedures RealSelf, 96% of respondents described Botox as "worth it."
The providers at Lotus Health & Wellness offer this helpful guide to Botox.
What to expect from Botox
Botox can erase those fine lines and wrinkles from your face that can make you look stressed or angry. Botox is excellent at removing crows' feet and erasing frown lines around your eyes. Gone are the days in which Botox can give you a permanently surprised expression. That result is out of fashion, and skilled practitioners prefer a subtler approach.
The biggest downside to Botox is that the results aren't permanent. You'll need to come back every three or four months to get the injection again. Fortunately, the procedure is virtually painless and is incredibly fast. You don't need to schedule weeks of recovery from Botox the way you might with other, more complicated procedures.
About the procedure
Botox is an injection of a small amount of a purified form of the Clostridium botulinum toxin. When injected into the face, it can freeze the muscle contractions that form wrinkles. Botox also has other medical uses, such as treating excessive sweating.
You don't need to do anything special to prepare for Botox injections. We will take a health history to make sure the procedure will be safe for you. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy or multiple sclerosis, are not good candidates for the procedure. We'll also ask about the medications you take, including sleeping aids, allergy medicines, and muscle relaxers. If you take blood thinners, you'll need to stop taking them a couple of days before the procedure.
The procedure is generally very quick, only taking a couple of seconds. Most people find it painless because we use a tiny needle, but we can apply ice or a topical numbing gel if you're nervous about the pain. The results appear quickly as well, with little downtime required.
Why it matters who performs the procedure
Even though Botox is highly safe and is FDA-approved for cosmetic purposes, it matters a great deal who performs the procedure. Some health spas have untrained people administering Botox, which can put you at risk. Among the risks of Botox include using too much and creating a "frozen" expression or even causing drooping eyelids.
When you decide to get Botox, you want medical professionals to administer it. At Island Lotus Health & Wellness, we have a well-trained and experienced doctor and nurse practitioner performing the procedure. Even though Botox is safe, it is technically a toxin and should only be handled by those who are trained and licensed to use it.
What to expect after the procedure
The entire Botox procedure should only take about 10 minutes. You will likely be surprised by how fast it seems to be over. You are free to resume normal activities as soon as you leave. It is definitely a lunchtime procedure, which you could get done during your lunch break and go right back to work.
You may experience some minor bruising or pain in the first day or two after the injection, but most people find it manageable. However, you'll want to take a couple of precautions. Make sure not to rub or massage the injected areas in the first 24 hours, as this can cause the Botox to spread.
If you received injections in the forehead, you'd also want to avoid bending over or lying down for about four hours. Doing so could cause the Botox to slip below your brow bone, resulting in a drooping eye.
Botox can make you look younger and more attractive. It's affordable and safe. If you're interested in learning more about Botox, call our office today at 912-200-5045, or request an appointment online.