According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2017 there were 15.7 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Of these, nearly half were some form of Botox surgery. Over a period of 5 years, botox popularity has soared 40 percent.
So, if you are thinking about getting Botox, you can rest assured you are not the only person giving this some serious thought. Botox is actually a form of botulinum toxin. This is a substance that is derived from bacteria.
If you are considering allowing someone to inject this into your face or your body, then you are wise to do your research first.
In fact, it seems that many people who have had botox injections do not regret it, but they wish they had done their homework more thoroughly. Why do they feel like that? Read on to find out about 7 things you should know before botox surgery.
1. Botox Is a Neurotoxin
It is important to understand what botox is, and how it affects your face. The basic take-home is that Botox is a neurotoxin. When injected into the skin it acts on the facial muscles preventing them from fully contracting. The reduced contraction of your facial muscles means that your skin wrinkles or frown lines etc are less pronounced.
Botox does not remove wrinkles as such, but what contributes to the creases in your skin is reduced. It is important that you have a full consultation, and discuss any risks and existing medications, in case there may be some interaction.
2. Effects of Botox Surgery Are Temporary
Botox is not permanent. As the toxin is worked out of your system the ‘relaxing’ effects of the substance wear off. That means if you want to retain the benefits of Botox you will need to be prepared to repeat the injections. So keep in mind the long term costs of Botox and whether you are prepared to keep paying out for that.
Of course, the temporary nature of Botox is a plus as well as a negative. Should you experience any problems, then it is a matter of time before things will improve. This temporary nature of Botox surgery also gives some people the courage they need to give it a go and see how it looks.
3. Be Aware of Potential Side-Effects
As mentioned above, Botox is basically a toxin that affects the contraction of your facial muscles. Injecting a toxin into your body comes with the risk of some side-effects. These include headache, swelling, fatigue, some problems with your eyes, neck pain, and even asthma-like symptoms.
Should you experience any of these symptoms you should report them immediately to your provider. Headaches, some swelling, and bruising is considered by many to be a normal reaction.
4. Be Patient
If you choose to have Botox you will have to be a patient. Excuse the pun, but you will have to live up to the name and show some patience. It takes time for the full effects of the Botox to manifest.
In the first few days, you may not see much change at all. After 5 days or so, you will feel the effects more, until the full results show in about 2 weeks.
5. Post Surgery – What You Can and Can’t Do
The nature of Botox and how it is administered means that there is a risk, post-injection, that it will shift to other areas of your face. To be cautious, you should not exercise and try to keep yourself in an upright position for a few hours.
You want these injections to be as effective as possible in the area to which they are injected. The last thing you want to do is anything that may reduce that. So be prepared to take the time to let the Botox work for the first few hours.
6. Not All Botox Is Equal
Botox can be of differing quality and concentration. This will affect your final result. So make sure you use a clinic that has a good throughput of patients. Far better to use a busy clinic, even if it is more expensive.
If you are opting for something that is going to affect your face, now is not the time to go ‘budget.’ You want a clinician that will give you a realistic expectation and is even prepared to tell you that Botox may not be for you. Check out the Miami Skin Institute as an example.
7. Botox Is Not All About Looks
Botox is used for many other underlying muscular conditions. For example, chronic migraines, neck spasms, and even excessive sweating.
Besides that, more and more people report they are turning to Botox not just for its effect on the face but on their minds. There is no direct physiological link, but people report greater confidence and self-esteem.
One Last Look in the Mirror
In this article, you have read about 7 things you should know before Botox surgery. If you are mindful of these points, are realistic with your expectations, and do your homework first before selecting a provider, then you will likely be one of many who have no regrets.
Take a long look in the mirror and give this further thought before you make your final decision. You don’t need to rush. If you decide you want Botox surgery you can commit to it, knowing you are fully informed.
You can read other fantastic articles on this site to keep you informed about health and lifestyle trends.