What To Know Before Getting BOTOX® For The First Time

If you're anything like the majority of Americans in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, you have probably begun to show at least a few signs of aging on your face. Years of sun exposure, repeated expressions, and even genetics alone can take a toll on our faces, leading to unsightly symptoms like fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, there are many cosmetic treatments available in Portland, OR today to help patients combat these signs of aging. The board-certified plastic surgeons and nurse injectors at Après Plastic Surgery are proud to offer a wide variety of both invasive and noninvasive treatment options for reducing lines, wrinkles, and other signs of facial aging.

Arguably the most popular nonsurgical treatment for reducing wrinkles is BOTOX®. This injectable wrinkle relaxer is used by both men and women of all ages to either reverse or proactively combat fine lines and wrinkles on the upper portion of the face. While BOTOX is a highly effective and fairly common noninvasive agent for wrinkles, it is still important to educate yourself on the treatment prior to undergoing injection. To help better understand the basics about BOTOX injection, including what the treatment entails and what kinds of results you can expect, here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding BOTOX:

How does BOTOX remove wrinkles?

BOTOX is an injectable wrinkle relaxer that is made from a strain of type A botulinum toxin. When injected carefully into certain areas of the face, BOTOX works to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by temporarily freezing the underlying muscles, making them unable to contract. While it is highly effective at giving both men and women a much smoother look, BOTOX is generally reserved for dynamic lines – the lines that appear with certain expressions. Smile lines, laugh lines, forehead wrinkles, and lines around the eyes (Crow's feet) typically respond very well to BOTOX injection. For patients looking to address deeper lines and folds, the knowledgeable and experienced team at Après Plastic Surgery can offer advice on alternative treatment options including facial injectable fillers and facelift surgery.

How does BOTOX injection work?

As with any procedure, the details may vary from patient to patient. In general though, BOTOX injection is fairly straightforward. Oftentimes patients are able to undergo their first treatment on the same day as their initial consultation if they are found to be a good candidate and desire to proceed. To begin your appointment, one of the skilled surgeons or nurse injectors at Après Plastic Surgery will assess your case, discuss your goals, explain the procedure in detail, and answer all of your questions fully. Following that discussion, the provider will draw up the appropriate amount of BOTOX and inject it into targeted areas of the face using a small syringe. While patients may experience very slight discomfort, no numbing medication or anesthesia is needed.

At the conclusion of the treatment, which typically takes about 10-15 minutes, patients are able to return to their normal daily activities. It is recommended, however, that exercise be avoided for the first 24 hours following BOTOX injection. Some patients may experience mild bruising, swelling, or asymmetry at the injection sites, all of which are normal and should resolve within 24-48 hours. Your doctor will likely recommend that you sleep upright for at least one night and avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging your face, which could lead to an unwanted distribution of BOTOX to other areas.

What kinds of results can I achieve with BOTOX for lines and wrinkles?

With the ability to produce quick and dramatic results, it is no surprise that BOTOX is among the most popular cosmetic treatments performed in Portland each year. Following the injections, patients should begin to notice visible results after 4-6 days, with the final results being apparent after 7-10 days. The most obvious change you will see is a smoother, more relaxed, youthful look in the places you previously considered problem areas. If you receive injections in your forehead, you should notice a dramatic reduction in lines and wrinkles when you raise your eyebrows and make other facial expressions. Likewise, smiling should result in less apparent Crow's feet if BOTOX was used around the eyes.

Though it is not a permanent solution, BOTOX is relatively long lasting and is widely considered one of the best nonsurgical treatments for wrinkles. Patients can generally expect their results to last approximately 3-4 months. Most men and women elect to have BOTOX injections once per quarter to maintain their look consistently, though you may find that you need treatments slightly more or less often than average. The friendly team at Après Plastic Surgery can help advise you further on the ideal BOTOX treatment schedule for you.

How do I get started with BOTOX?

Without a doubt, the first and most important step in getting started with your first BOTOX injection is to consult with a qualified, certified, and experienced provider. Our board-certified plastic surgeons and expert nurse injectors have successfully treated countless men and women with BOTOX in the Portland and Vancouver, WA areas and are committed to providing the most exceptional level of patient care and service. When it comes to your face, we understand how serious any cosmetic treatment can be and use only the safest and most effective techniques and tools available.

Call our office to schedule your consultation today, and learn more about how BOTOX can reduce wrinkles, enhance your look, and turn back the hands of time!