Botox 101: 14 Things You Need To Know About Botox

By Author: Dennis
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We all know someone who has gotten a Botox treatment, and it’s just as we expect – they look radiant, youthful, well-rested. If you haven’t done it, you probably really want to!

That being said, if you haven’t done Botox before, it’s common to have many questions. At Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, we love to educate our clients and inform them of everything they need to know before doing any treatment. Our expert injectors at Lucere are here to provide you with all your unanswered questions about Botox.

1. What is Botox?
Botox is an effective treatment and a leading solution for preventing and treating fine lines and wrinkles. Where exactly does Botox come from? Botox comes from neurotoxin made by clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that is responsible for making botulinum toxins. Sounds intense, but in small amounts, they create neuromodulators that give us the anti-wrinkle treatments we know and love. When expertly injected by a trained professional, Botox can be used for more than cosmetic treatments. Medically, Botox can be used to alleviate major headaches, ...
... excessive sweating, and reduce jaw tension.

2. How do Botox Injections Work?
Fine lines and wrinkles appear in very predictable spots for a reason. We repeat facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, and frowning all the time, so our muscles contract in the same way. Over time, these contractions deepen our lines in the skin, and as they intensify, they leave our faces with fine lines and wrinkles. When we inject Botox, it blocks nerve impulses temporarily to relax them and soften facial expressions. This reduces the appearance of undesired lines and wrinkles in the treated area.

3. Where Can You Get Botox Injections?
Neuromodulators can be used to reduce, treat and prevent the appearance of line and wrinkles for frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. When expertly injected, neuromodulators can slim the face, flip the lip and lift your smile. They can also be used to treat over 20 medical conditions like tension in the jaw, headaches/migraines, excessive sweating, overactive bladders and muscle contractions or spasms.

4. How Much Botox Should You Have?
Each person is unique, and the amount of Botox needed depends on several factors, mainly the strength of your muscles that are responsible for forming these lines. How deep the lines are doesn’t really matter as Botox does not restore volume like filler does. Other considerations include your age and sex, as men require more units than women – there muscles are much stronger.

The ranges for units of neuromodulator needed for different parts of the face are:

Forehead: 5-15 units

Glabella (between the eyebrows): 20-30 units

Eyebrow Lift: 10 units

Crow’s Feet: 10-30 units

Lip Lift: 4-8 units

Smile Lift: 10 units

Jaw: 15-60 units

Neck (to soften lines): 10-20 units

Nefertiti Lift: 20-30 units

Again, each client is unique, and these are just average ranges. If you would like to learn more about the appropriate number of units needed for you, we encourage you to book a free consultation at Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic.

5. How Much Does Botox Cost?
At Lucere, we are proud to offer regional pricing at $10/unit. Depending on the number of units needed to achieve your desired results, botox cost will differ from patient to patient.

6. How Long Does Botox Take to Work?
Botox treatments begin working 24-48 hours after your injections. However, you will need a full two weeks to see the full effects of your Botox to work. When it does kick in, you will begin to feel a slight tightening of the muscles in the treated areas. This will leave you with a well-rested, youthful appearance.

7. How Long Do Botox Injections Last?
An anti-wrinkle treatment using Botox or Dysport usually lasts between 3-4 months. Remember, this range varies from one client to another, depending on how quickly your own body metabolizes the neuromodulator.

8. Does Botox Hurt?
Botox shouldn’t hurt at all. When administered by a highly trained professional, it should not be a painful experience. The most you should feel is a tiny prick or pinch that lasts a few seconds.

9. Can You Still Make Expressions after a Botox Treatment?
Absolutely! Botox should never have a “frozen effect” on your face. When done in the right way, Botox should still allow you to make expressions, just in a softer, more relaxed way. This why it is so important to seek an expert for Botox injections. Remember, injecting is half science and half art – if injected in the wrong spot, your emotions can alter and not for the better! Your expert injectors experience and techniques are what will guarantee you results you can be proud of.

10. Are There Any Side Effects to Botox?
It is common for clients to wonder what to expect after Botox. Are there any side effects? Well, if administered by a highly trained professional, such as a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Botox has very few side effects. It is normal to experience a little redness, but this shouldn’t linger for too long. It is rare, but slight bruising can also occur.

11. Are There Any Risks Associated with Botox?
Risks can be a scary thing to think about, especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures. However, Botox is a relatively safe treatment, when performed by a trained professional and expert. It is paramount your injector uses the right techniques and ensure the right dosages are administered. If you do not seek an expert or trained professional, you risk botched results, asymmetrical appearance, muscle drooping, etc. This is your face – do not take the cheap route ever!

12. Can You Fix Bad Botox?
If you have bad results with Botox, there are very limited interventions to help you fix it. If you didn’t get a high enough dosage to have the effects of the Botox fully kick in, it is easy to inject further units to achieve your results. If you have a droopy eyebrow, Botox can also be used to lift it. However, Botox isn’t like filler and it comes with limitations. If you feel you are too frozen, for example, there is no solution to fix this. Your only option for this, along with other problems, is to wait for the treatment to wear off and then go to an experienced injector for better results next time. We highly recommend you researching your treatment well! Only let a highly trained, very experienced injector like a Board-Certified dermatologist or his nurse injectors perform this treatment.

13. Can Using Botox on Your Forehead Cause Your Brows to Sag?
Yes and no. If injected correctly, you should not have sagging eyebrows. Again, this treatment is half science and half art, so a trained injector will consider many things like the height, arch and shape of your eyebrow. If your injections are not administered properly, then your forehead muscles may relax too much. This creates a tired, heavy look as your eyebrows will droop.

14. Is there a Right Age for Botox?
No! Botox is used by many clients in their 20s who are trying to prevent and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles before they deepen and get worse. For clients in their 30s, they are trying to prevent and maintain a youthful look to stay looking fresh and rested. Clients who are in their 40s and 50s seek Botox injections to rejuvenate their skin and reduce the signs of aging. Whatever your age is, Botox can be a powerful treatment to enhance your appearance and help you Look Good, Not Done!