Everyone wants to grow old with grace: no wrinkles, fine lines, and other aging signs. While you cannot control the numbers on your age, there are ways to disguise fine lines on your face through cosmetic treatments. One of the most popular cosmetic treatments to help manage signs of aging is Botox.
What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment made from Botulinum toxin. It aims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other aging signs by blocking the nerves’ signals in the facial muscles. In 2019, Botox was the leading minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, with 7.7 million individuals in the US undergoing it to manage signs of aging.
Everything you need to know Botox
With millions of Americans spending on it every year to achieve a more youthful look, it does seem promising, right? Well, before you follow through with this treatment, here are the things you need to know before getting Botox for the first time.
- It is a preventative measure
Botox is a preventative measure; meaning, any fine lines or wrinkles you have already had before the cosmetic procedure will not disappear after the treatment. Botox can only help prevent deepening the fine lines that you already have. If you want to prevent getting wrinkles and fine lines, you may have to get Botox earlier, say during your 20’s.
- It’s temporary
You might have thought that Botox is the Fountain of Youth that everyone has been searching for since time immemorial. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Botox cannot restore your former glory, and it cannot make your complexion youthful forever. Your body’s metabolism and other factors can affect and degrade the protein injected into your muscles over time. If you want to always look your best after your first Botox treatment, you may need to get it again after three months or so, depending on your doctor’s recommendations.
- It is a safe procedure
Botox is a safe and FDA-approved cosmetic procedure. In fact, medical experts also use Botox in managing other health conditions such as hyperhidrosis and migraines. However, make sure to visit only a trained practitioner or a licensed doctor for safety and health purposes. During your consultation, your doctor will review your medical history and how to get the most benefits from Botox. Be prepared to discuss the medications you are currently taking, allergies that you have, surgeries you had gone through, and others. Pregnant women or who are breastfeeding may not qualify for the cosmetic procedure.
- Results can take a week or two
There is no specific downtime with Botox treatment. You may not see noticeable results right away. You may notice minor bruising, swelling, redness, and numbness on the treated area after the treatment. You may also find small bumps and red dots on your face after the injection. Do not rub the treated area and avoid sun exposure if possible. But it will go away after several minutes. It is also important to avoid lying down for more than four hours or doing excessive exercise after the treatment. Positive results will become noticeable after a week.
- Make the necessary preparations
Should you decide to undergo this cosmetic treatment, make sure to refrain from taking aspirin and ibuprofen a week before the procedure. These medications prevent blood clotting and increase bruising. Fish oils, vitamin E, and some antioxidants can also affect your body’s blood vessels and prevent blood clotting, so stay away from them in the meantime.
