In cosmetics, Botox cosmetic is a minimally invasive procedure which uses a thin needle to administer 3-5 doses of botulinum toxic type A on the targeted area. This popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure helps in temporarily blocking nerve signals and muscle contractions and typically takes about 10-15 minutes.

Before the treatment, your doctor will carefully evaluate your face and your facial movements to help give you the best treatment outcome. A health assessment will be conducted, and your medical history will be discussed during your consultation. Your doctor will also list out all possible side effects of the treatment, even though they are rare. Your health care professional will discuss a list of things to avoid including blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc., that may increase the risk of bruising, and antioxidants such as wine, fish oil, etc., that are known to slow the blood clotting process. Recommendations for your aftercare, to protect your skin after treatment, will be given out to you by your healthcare professional.

Since Botox is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a micro-needle to inject botulinum toxin into your facial muscles, most people feel very little discomfort during the process. However, a topical numbing cream may be applied to ensure that you do not feel any pain at all, during the treatment. The treatment takes only about 15 minutes. Depending on your skin type, severity of your wrinkles and treatment area, the units of Botox that will need to be injected will vary. An ice pack is applied on the treated area, along with light pressure to avoid any swelling on the area. The treatment requires no downtime, and you can resume your daily normal activities immediately!

Once your session is done, you can carry out with your daily activities as usual. Your doctor will also discuss a treatment timeline, where you can come back for more Botox sessions, that will help you maintain the outcome as well as optimize your treatment results. A consistent Botox treatment schedule will help you maintain your youthful look and avoid the appearance of facial lines or wrinkles again. Remember to keep in mind the following post-care tips that will help the injected botulinum toxin to settle in your facial muscles properly without any interruption:

• Avoid strenuous physical activities for at least 24 hours after treatment
• Do not lay down for a few hours after treatment
• Do not massage or rub the treated area
• Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight or other heat sources to avoid inflammation for 24 hours
• Use a broad range SPF when you get outdoors
• Do not wash your face for at least 6 hours after treatment
• Avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours to avoid the risk of bleeding and bruising

The skin-smoothening effects of a botox treatment are visible within days after administration and they generally last for three to four months depending on the patient. We recommend that our patients visit our botox clinic for their botox treatment once every three months or as soon as they notice that the effects of the treatment have worn off.

Botox and Fillers are effective treatments for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. The main difference is in the areas of your face each treatment targets. Botox injections are an excellent treatment for forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet and to achieve a brow lift. In comparison, fillers improve marionette lines, cheek and lip volume, and under-eye shadows.

To learn more about whether cosmetic botox or fillers are right for you, book a consultation at one of our aesthetic clinic locations.