7 of Your Burning Questions about Botox Answered
Whether you’ve just noticed your first wrinkle or you’ve been struggling with anti-aging creams for years, Botox can be an effective solution for nearly anyone with a few more lines and wrinkles than they’d like. But there’s so much information out there about treatments like Botox that it can be hard to discern fact from fiction. Here, we’ve addressed some of the most common questions about Botox to help you decide if this nonsurgical injectable treatment is right for you.
1. What Is Botox?
Botox is an injectable wrinkle treatment comprised of botulinum toxin, which temporarily inhibits the muscle movements that lead to fine lines and wrinkles (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons). The entire procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes to perform, and you can expect your results to last for several months before you may need an additional treatment session.
2. Can It Prevent Wrinkles?
Although the immediate effects of Botox injections will be temporary, lasting anywhere from three to six months, research has shown that there may be some long-lasting effects as well. In a 13-year study involving a set of twins, researchers found that Botox has the ability to prevent new lines and wrinkles from forming while it helps to smooth away existing ones (Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery).
3. What Areas of the Face Can Be Treated?
Botox is most frequently used to treat crow’s feet, the fine lines at the corners of the eyes, and the vertical wrinkles known as “the 11s,” which appear between the eyebrows. During your consultation, you can discuss your problem areas with your plastic surgeon to help you determine if Botox might be the best solution for you.
4. Are There Side Effects?
The most common side effects following Botox injections are mild redness or swelling of the injection site, but these symptoms should subside on their own over the following day or two. Botox is sometimes even referred to as a “lunchtime procedure” because it’s generally very quick and easy, and most people can return to work immediately after their treatment.
5. Does It Work Instantly?
Most people will begin to see their final results anywhere between two and ten days after Botox injections, so if you are planning to attend a special event, make sure you plan ahead so that you can fully enjoy your results (The Dermatology Review).
6. Will It Make Me Look “Frozen”?
The stereotypical image of a woman with frozen, unmoveable features who looks like she’s right out of The Stepford Wives is truly the outlier when it comes to the reality of Botox. This “frozen” look is usually the result of using too much of the product or injecting it incorrectly. Even though it’s a relatively simple procedure, this is one reason why it’s so important that you seek an experienced, trained professional to administer your Botox.
7. How Do I Find the Right Doctor?
When looking for the right doctor for your Botox treatments, inquire about training, experience, and up to date board-certification. These are all markers of a clinician’s ability to deliver high-quality and safe results. Make sure that the practitioner is currently engaged in the type of treatment you desire.
At Acqua Blu Medical Spa in Pittsburgh and Wexford, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil performs all of our Botox injections, ensuring that you receive smooth, natural-looking results. Remember that the idea behind Botox is to enhance your natural features, not make you look like a completely different person. Dr. Heil’s extensive training and experience allows him to deliver beautiful, youthful-looking results that blend seamlessly with the natural contours of your face. In fact, Allergan, the company that manufactures Botox, has appointed Dr. Heil as a training physician to teach other professionals the most effective injection methods to achieve the best possible results.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heil, or for more information about Botox injections, please contact us at (724) 933-1800.
