Botox is a very popular cosmetic treatment. About 4.4 million Botox procedures are done yearly — a 459% increase from 2000 to 2022. Despite its popularity, many are asking: what is Botox and what are its benefits?
In this post, we answer this question to help you know more about Botox. Read on and see how the benefits can transform your beauty!
What is Botox?
Botox is a brand name for a substance called Clostridium botulinum toxin. Despite being a toxin, Botox is widely used for aesthetic purposes.
It works by blocking the nerves and paralyzing the muscles in the injection area. Since the muscles are paralyzed, they won’t move or contract.
This is why Botox is very effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. But beyond its aesthetic functions, Botox is also utilized for various health conditions.
What happens during a Botox treatment?
Before the Botox procedure, a licensed medical practitioner will conduct a thorough consultation with the patient. This defines the patient’s goals, the areas to be treated, and the number of Botox units needed.
During the treatment, the specialist will inject small amounts of Botox in various areas of your face. Depending on your desired areas, it can also be injected into your neck.
The needle used for Botox injections is super thin to reduce the pain. In most cases, this procedure doesn’t require anesthesia.
Moreover, the number of injections you’ll get depends on the areas you want to be treated. Bigger areas typically require more injections.
Overall, each Botox session lasts for around 20 to 60 minutes. It has no downtime or recovery period, but you should observe aftercare recommendations to achieve the best results.
What should you expect during a Botox procedure?
During your appointment, our licensed specialist will inject small amounts of Botox into the treatment area.
Since this treatment doesn’t require anesthesia, you’ll feel the needle’s prick.
Nevertheless, the discomfort is usually mild. Our specialist will apply numbing cream to reduce discomfort if you can’t tolerate the pain.
You’ll be out and about the clinic in less than an hour. You don’t have to skip work, even for sessions that require dozens of units.
Is Botox safe?
Botox treatments are generally safe as long as a licensed specialist performs them. With this, always ask for the practitioner’s license and certifications before getting any Botox injections.
Avoid shady and unlicensed Botox clinics that offer very low prices. Since they are not trained or certified, you’re at great risk of infections and complications.
Improper administration of Botox can lead to severe bruising, crooked smile, drooling, and droopy eyelids. In some cases, negligent Botox treatments can lead to vision problems, breathing issues, and difficulty speaking.
If you’re planning to try this procedure, you should only trust the experts like Pure Skin Laser Center.
Benefits of Botox injections
When talking about Botox, the first thing to come to mind is wrinkles. But aside from reducing the appearance of fine lines, Botox has more benefits than you know.
The following are the surprising benefits of Botox that can transform your health and beauty:
1. Non-invasive beauty enhancement
Unlike surgical facelifts, Botox is non-invasive and free from long recovery periods. It’s dubbed a ‘lunchtime procedure’ since each session lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
This is why Botox appeals to those who want to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. It produces temporary results without going under the knife.
Botox can be used for the reduction of the following cosmetic problems:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead lines
- Laugh lines
- Orange peel chin
- Neck bands
- Double chin
2. Improves certain health conditions
Botox injections are not just for cosmetic purposes. It also reduces the symptom of various health conditions.
Specifically, Botox injections relax jaw muscles to reduce pain brought on by temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) disorder.
Also, Botox is used to reduce hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. This works with Botox blocking the nerve signals causing too much sweating. This will stop or reduce excessive perspiration, especially on the armpits.
Botox injections for hyperhidrosis take 2 to 4 days to show results. It will take up to 2 weeks to see the full results.
If you want to maintain the benefits, make sure you book maintenance treatments every 7 to 16 months.
Aside from that, Botox can also aid in the reduction of these conditions:
- Lazy eye
- Chronic migraine
- Overreactive bladder
- Cervical dystonia
- Muscle contractures
- Eye twitching
- Uncontrollable blinking
3. Affordable cosmetic treatment
Another reason for Botox’s popularity is its affordable cost. Treatments are priced per Botox unit, giving patients complete control over the cost of the procedure.
Here at Pure Skin Laser Center, we offer the most affordable Botox pricing for just $10 per unit.
You can choose which part you want to treat per session. You can also avail of a treatment package to get a discount.
If you’re interested in our Botox pricing, call us, and our licensed nurse will discuss it with you.
4. Very few side effects
Unlike surgical cosmetic procedures, Botox has minimal side effects. Most of these are minor and will resolve on their own within a few days.
When administered correctly, Botox will not spread to other parts of the patient’s body. Under trained hands, the most side effects you may experience are mild redness and light bruising.
Overall, you can return to work right after your Botox session. It doesn’t require any intensive recovery period.
5. Fast results
With Botox, you can see positive results within a few weeks. On average, results will start to show within 2 to 3 weeks. It happens gradually and will yield a natural result if done right.
To sustain the results, you can schedule booster Botox injections. This will keep the treated area smooth before the previous injections wear off.
How many units of Botox are needed?
The number of Botox units you need depends on the desired areas and target results. It can range from 4 to 50 units per treatment. Our specialist will advise you about this during the consultation period.
How many units of Botox for the forehead, you ask? For most treatments, it ranges from 10 to 30 units. Meanwhile, neck band treatments require more units, up to 50 units.
Areas like the lips, brows, chin, and eyes need fewer units. Most of these areas only require 2 to 12 units per session.
Overall, the exact number of units varies per person. This is why we conduct one-on-one consultations for every client. Our specialist will assess your needs and advise you about the best treatment plan to achieve your beauty goals.
How to prepare for Botox treatment
Before your Botox appointment, our specialist will advise you about the preparations you need to make. Here are some of the dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
- Don’t drink alcohol 1 week before the treatment.
- Stop smoking at least 1 week before the treatment.
- Don’t take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) 1 week before the treatment.
- Avoid eating food with garlic.
- Keep your face clean before the session
- Consult your doctor first if you’re taking blood thinners
- Let the specialist know if you have dermal fillers on or near the treatment area.
Again, preparation requirements vary per person. You must undergo consultation before the treatment, regardless of where you get the injections.
How long does Botox take to work?
- Stay makeup-free for 24 hours
- Limit facial movements
- Sit up for the first four hours after getting Botox
- Stay away from alcohol and cigarette
- Don’t sleep on the treated areas
- Avoid the sun for 24 to 48 hours
- Avoid all forms of heat exposure (examples: tanning beds, hot tubs, saunas, hot showers, etc.)
- Skip harsh facial treatments (examples: scrubs, facials, dermal fillers, etc.)
