A lot of you have reached out to me asking for a resource on getting Botox for the first time. I’ve posted on my own experience before, but since then I’ve talked with so many experts, plastic surgeons & practitioners so wanted to compile a list of tips, tricks & guidelines here.
Botox (an FDA approved toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum or botulinum toxin) is a drug doctor have been using for years to treat wrinkles and facial creases. As Botox is injected beneath the skin, it temporarily paralyze and relax the facial muscles as it prevents muscle contractions that causes facial lines and other facial wrinkles thus improving appearance. You will not be seeing the effect right away. Wait for about 24 hours to start working and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect. The most common reason doctors use Botox for cosmetic treatment such as reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles ( fine lines & frown lines ), crow’s feet, and other signs of aging. Botox injections can also raise your eyebrows.
The effects of Botox will last 3 to 4 months. As muscle action slowly returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to reappear and need to be treated again. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking.
In this post you’ll hear from Dr. Daniel Barrett ( he did my 2nd boob job ), Dr. Harold Lancer, Dr. Dennis Gross, Dr. Kay Durairaj, & Dr. Lara Devgan, plus I throw in my top tips at the end.
Let’s get into it.
First Time Botox Tips From The Gurus:
Dr. Daniel Barrett:
♡ Make sure you’re seeing a board-certified physician.
♡ Are you happy with their before & after photos? Do you like the results?
♡ Be sure to look at their reviews. Yelp is great for this. DO NOT believe all the testimonials on the injector’s website.
♡ When you call the office, is the preson who answers helpful & knowledgable about Botox?
♡ Meet them first. If doesn’t feel like a good fit, it probably isn’t. Find someone else who you trust. Invest time in finding someone you’d like to work with.
Dr. Harold Lancer:
♡ Don’t go overboard. Less is more. “It’s a composite of repetitive treatment so you get a bigger cumulative end result.”
Dr. Dennis Gross:
♡ Start off slow. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in.
♡ You can fix bad Botox if it involves more Botox, but you can’t fix bad Botox by removing it.
Dr. Kay Durairaj:
♡ Preventative Botox is controversial, but there’s no reason to wrinkle your skin over & over ( Dr. Kay is a fan of preventative Botox ).
♡ Fix whatever is taking away from your self-esteem or confidence. We have technology these days that’s safe, effective & affordable, so make yourself feel good.
♡ After vetting your injector, bring in pictures of what you like so the doctor can get your vibe & work it in a way that matches your own face.
Dr. Lara Devgan:
♡ Find someone who has done Botox at least 10,000 times. Yes that many.
♡ Compare the before & afters to see if they’re a good fit for you. And look at their Instagram page.
♡ Think of Botox as a way to retrain your facial muscles.
♡ Make sure your skincare works in your favor. Daily maintenance & good skin habits can make people look way younger than they are. ( Specifically Vitamin C, hyaluronic serum, eye cream & SPF EVERY DAMN DAY ).
The Skinny Confidential’s Botox Tips:
♡ I would never touch my eyes; there’s something weird about getting Botox around your eyes.
♡ I would never recommend getting Botox by the smile lines because you want to smile. If you get Botox there, it would paralyze the muscles.
♡ Supposedly it will last 3–4months. For me, it has lasted up to 9 months.
♡ Avoid Botox if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
♡ If you are taking fish oil, stop taking it a week prior to Botox treatment for it promotes bruising.
♡ A common side effect of Botox is bruising, there was only one time I got the tiniest bruise at the injection site, but it disappeared the next day.
♡ Post treatment skin care after the cosmetic procedure: Don’t drink alcohol, don’t sleep on the treated areas and stay away from the sun.
Who Can Administer Botox?
Primarily, physician and plastic surgeons may inject Botox, or they may direct registered nurses or physician assistants to perform the injection under their supervision. So be careful and check who’s administering your Botox. No unlicensed persons, such as medical assistants, may inject Botox.
How Often Should You Get Botox?
Botox injections usually takes 15 minutes to 20 minutes depending on your facial features and the ideal frequency of treatment is once every three to four months.
Hopefully all these tips & tricks compiled in one place will help you if you’re on the fence about Botox treatment, don’t know where to start, or need help with choosing an injector. Before you set a Botox appointment, take your time, do your research, & don’t get a Groupon, k?
If you’re into skin and love to hear from experts, be sure to grab GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE SUN. Just so many good tips on daily skincare routines, procedures, injectables, products – you get it.
x, lauryn
+ how to get rid of a little bitch called milia.
++ how to use diaper cream on your pimples.
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