How to Survive Your First Botox Treatment

Botox has been around for some time now and is becoming more commonplace. Nonetheless, if you've never used it before, you might have some questions and concerns about your first Botox treatment. Being informed about the procedure is important to surviving your first Botox treatment.

A Botox treatment involves injecting small amounts of a toxin (botulinum toxin type A). It's usually injected into certain facial muscles to remove facial lines, such as crow's feet, frown lines and lines across the forehead. The toxin blocks the messages from your brain that tell your muscles to contract. That prevents wrinkles from forming.

This treatment originally was designed to treat neurological disorders. It has also been effective in treating migraines and chronic tension headaches.

Botox generally is considered a low-risk procedure. It's typically performed in fewer than 10 minutes and requires no recovery time. However, if you want to survive your first Botox treatment, definitely get a consultation beforehand.

Not just anyone can give Botox injections. Look for a qualified plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She will evaluate whether you are a good candidate based on a physical evaluation and a medical history. The doctor also can answer any questions you might have about risks and benefits. She also should discuss your expectations and alternatives.

In your first Botox treatment, a tiny needle is used to inject the toxin into the muscle. Some patients report no pain at all, while others complain of minor, temporary discomfort. A pinprick amount of blood may rise to the surface at the point of injection, but it is easily dabbed away.

No recovery time is necessary for your first Botox treatment. You can go about your day immediately afterward. However, for it to work effectively, you will need to remain in an upright position for four hours. No going home to take a nap afterward! Your doctor may recommend that you make an effort to use your facial muscles for the few hours following treatment to help the toxin settle in effectively.

The majority of patients start to see results within one week of treatment. Improvements can continue in the weeks to come. Generally, results start to fade away about three months after your first Botox treatment. You'll have to repeat the process three or four times a year to sustain results. Younger patients with fewer wrinkles require less frequent injections, even as they age. For these lucky people, injections may prevent new wrinkles from forming in the first place.

With this basic information, you should easily survive your first Botox treatment unscathed and (eventually) wrinkle-free. However, if you have more questions and concerns, discuss them with a doctor before going through with even a minor procedure such as this.