Beauty Tips

Facts About Botox

I’ve always vowed not to get Botox. The process felt pointless and intrusive; seriously? deadly injection of the botulinum toxin?

Despite the Food and Drug Administration having approved cosmetic Botox as of 2002, it can sound rather excessive. However, if you’re a 22-year-old with baby-soft skin, it’s simple to promote anti-Botox viewpoints.

I progressively changed my tune when I entered the second half of my 30s. I’m now through my initial cosmetic Botox treatment.

It’s not that I don’t want to age, or appear the age I am. I’ve actually enjoyed many things about the physical process of getting older. I don’t suffer from debilitating menstrual cramps anymore, I don’t break out with embarrassing Mount Vesuvius–level zits, and I even kind of dig the strands of silver coming in at my temples.

But lately, every time I’d see a picture of myself, I couldn’t help noticing the “elevens” entrenched between my brows. This tiny picket fence indented on my face made me look angry — a lot angrier than I actually feel most of the time. I didn’t love the idea that I might come across as frustrated or irritated when I’m really not.

Knowing that a few shots of Botox could help with this issue, I decided it might be worth a try.

Every day, I use cosmetics to improve my appearance. Is there really a difference between that and Botox’s transient enhancement of appearance?

I’m happy with my experience overall now that I’ve completed it. Before my first appointment, I was undoubtedly in the dark about several things, though.

Here are some things to think about if you’re thinking about getting Botox:

1.Botox cannot remove wrinkles completely.

Since Botox is a treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, of course, my initial assumption was that a few injections will remove these undesirable flaws from my face.

As it turns out, Botox is more preventative than rehabilitative for the majority of individuals. Because of the “freezing” effect of its active ingredient, you can’t tighten your face muscles in a way that deepens wrinkles.

“Botox won’t make any lines disappear that are present at rest, including deeply etched frown lines and deep wrinkles. According to medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatologist Dr. Estee Williams, “Botox is not an iron.”

The trend of receiving Botox as early as your 20s is due to the fact that the sooner you have it, the greater preventative effects it has.

2.It’s transient (more temporary than I thought)

I didn’t know much about Botox, but I thought its remarkable benefits would endure forever. But this is plainly untrue.

According to Dr. Williams, the typical period of Botox treatment for the glabella, forehead, and lateral crow’s feet is three to four months. And there are several things that can speed up Botox’s fading.

Patients who exercise frequently or have strong emotions may feel that the effects of the Botox continue for closer to three months, the doctor advises.

3.It is painful (for a little while, at least)

Similar to how I approached giving birth for the first time, I had a vague idea that getting Botox may be uncomfortable and require a needle.

However, actual pain from a needle to the skull and theoretical pain are very dissimilar.

Although everyone’s experiences are different, I discovered that the numerous injections were much more painful than the “mosquito bite” pinprick I anticipated. I had agony for at least 30 minutes after my injections, despite having an ice pack placed on my head.

Additionally, the sound the syringe made as it injected its contents into my skin caught me off guard. It was similar to the crunching sound of boots on snow or the distinctive crack of a glow stick. (Not the kind of sound you want applied to your brain, usually.) Fortunately, this unsettling audio element only persisted for a short while.

4.Afterward, there are several things you can’t do.

I didn’t have any plans to run a marathon on the Thursday after my dermatologist visit, but I do wish I had known that some activities should be avoided right after Botox.

5.It’s not just for celebrities

Judging from the flat foreheads of most Hollywood A-listers, Botox is a given among celebrities. While weighing the decision whether to get it myself, I tried casually bringing it up in conversation in my own social circle.

In doing so, I was surprised to learn how many of my friends and acquaintances had already had it. Apparently (at least in my age and financial bracket) it’s really not that uncommon.

6.It’s not just for famous people

According to the majority of Hollywood A-listers’ flat foreheads, celebrities almost always use Botox. I tried discreetly bringing it up in conversation in my own social circle while deciding whether to acquire it myself.

I was shocked to discover how many of my friends and acquaintances had it at that point. Apparently, it’s not all that unusual (at least for those in my age and financial range).

Botox injections are obviously expensive, but neither are plastic surgery nor even injectable fillers like Juvederm or Restylane in terms of cost.

You should anticipate paying between $200 and $300 for the 8 to 20 units of an average forehead at a cost of $10 to $15 each unit.

At around $10 to $15 per unit, you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 for the 8 to 20 units of an average forehead treatment. I paid $260 for the injections to my forehead and between my brows. Expensive, yes, but not Oscars-red-carpet expensive.

7.It’s not a moral failing to get Botox.

A part of me thought that using Botox would be giving up on my beliefs because of my previous beliefs about it. Plus, I’ve always held the view that vanity is a sin since I’m a genuinely religious person.

But I’ve grown to believe that it’s normal and admirable to want to appear attractive—or at the very least, not furious. If I could stop myself from disliking my own strength, I would! I don’t mind getting there with a little medical assistance.

8.Feeling “frozen” might be enjoyable

Everyone appears to be concerned about looking like an expressionless robot after receiving Botox. Isn’t it bizarre to be unable to move some of your face?

No, in my experience.

In a way, I’ve been relieved not to furrow my brows in response to my husband’s snide remarks or my children’s couscous-induced carpet damage.

The faces we create have emotional significance. It turns out that not frowning can have the same effect as smiling more, contrary to what you may have heard.

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