Getting neurotoxin Injections for the first time can be really intimidating. It’s hard to know what to expect, where to go, and what is a fair cost. That is why I put together a complete guide for your first Botox appointment!
So at this point, you’ve probably already decided you’re ready for Botox. Yay!! Getting Botox is no different than your regular nail, lash, spray tan, or waxing appointments. Gone are the days when people sneak into the windows of their cosmetic office to avoid being seen getting Botox. Nope, not anymore. People aren’t scared to publicize what they get done – and sometimes go a step further to bring you along on their aesthetic journeys. Despite witnessing the treatment IRL, many of my people don’t actually know what to expect before they are already in my chair. “Does it hurt?” “Is it safe?” “How long does it last?” And the famous “Will I bruise?” are all questions I hear once patients show up to my office.
Well – here are all the answers you need to know:
Let’s get started…
First, let’s discuss how to go about picking the perfect clinic and injector.
When picking a clinic, there are a few important things to look for:
For starters, how does the staff sound on the phone? They should sound kind, professional, and knowledgeable. The front desk staff should be able to answer most of your questions and make you feel comfortable with choosing them as a practice.
Next, how to choose the right injector for you? Aesthetic Injectors can have various educational and career backgrounds. They can be Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants to Doctors. What’s more important than their title is their experience with injecting. You can have a very qualified Internal Medicine doctor with very limited injecting experience and a very experienced aesthetic injector that happens to be a nurse or PA. Choose an injector based on their training, experience, and reviews. Word of mouth is a great way to choose an injector because if you like the way a friend or colleague looks, you will most likely like the way you will look when using their aesthetic injector.
Questions To Ask Before Scheduling Your Botox Appointment
Once you have decided on your clinic and injector, it’s time to schedule your appointment!
Inquire about pricing. Some clinics charge per unit and some charge a flat rate per treatment area. The cost varies depending on which neurotoxin you choose with Botox being the most expensive and Dysport being the least expensive per unit. However, don’t get too excited about the low cost of Dysport because it requires 3 times as many units to equal 1 unit of Botox, Xeomin, or Jeuveau so it is not as cheap as it sounds. Trust me when I say neurotoxin treatments should not be something you price shop for – 90% of the results is in the hands of the injector, so you’re paying for the expertise, not the treatment. Also, find out if they’re running any specials or participating in a rewards or loyalty program. This is a fantastic way to save money on your first and future treatments. Don’t be alarmed if they require a deposit to secure an appointment as this is normal.
What To Do Before Your Appointment
Avoid blood thinners and/or NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or aspirin for 24 hours before your appointment if possible.
Avoid drinking alcohol the night before your appointment to minimize the risk of excessive bleeding and/or bruising at the injection sites.
Avoid supplements such as Vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s wort, or fish oil to minimize the risk of bleeding, bruising, or swelling after injections
Discontinue retinol/rentin A products 2 days before and 2 days after treatment
What To Expect At Your Consultation
After you check in and are brought into a room to meet with your injector, the first thing they will do is obtain a medical history. Then, the consultation process begins where you will have an opportunity to discuss your specific concerns, budget, and overall aesthetic goals. During the consultation, your injector may have you hold up a mirror while he/she points out areas that can be enhanced with neurotoxin while also determining whether your concerns should be solved with toxin, filler, or aesthetic procedures such as micro-needling treatments or skincare products.
The injector will discuss how many units are recommended for each area and will then give a quote on the treatment. Here is where you can decide to add on other areas of the face or take away less concerning areas to find your happy ground.
After pictures are taken, the injector will mark the treatment areas with a colored pencil or marker, clean the injection sites with alcohol, and begin the injections. You will be asked to make different facial expressions in between injections to ensure proper injection sites.
The injection itself is not as painful as you would think and treatment takes only about 10 minutes. If you’re worried about pain, ask if they offer ice or topical numbing to help.
It is normal to bleed a little and after the injections, you will have tiny raised bumps that look like mosquito bites where the product is injected under the skin. These bumps will decrease and return to normal in about 20-30 minutes.
If blood makes you feel light-headed, make sure to eat a snack before your appointment and let your injector know so they can be prepared.
What To Do After Your Appointment
After your injections are completed, you may be given an ice pack and aftercare instructions
After your appointment, avoid manipulating the treatment area or lying flat for 4 hours.
Do not exercise or sweat excessively for at least 24 hours
Avoid facials, laser treatments, and dermabrasion for the following 2 weeks
It will take up to 2 full weeks to see the final results of your treatment. If you notice some areas that require enhancements at the 2-week mark, your injector will schedule a follow-up appointment with you to evaluate your treatment and correct any asymmetry. Having asymmetry does not mean you have a bad injector. The facial muscles are hard to predict and some muscles may be slightly stronger on one side than the other. At your two-week follow-up appointment, the injector will have the opportunity to fix these issues (most likely free of charge).
Now that you know what to expect, your next step is to schedule your appointment! After your first treatment, you’ll be hooked!
To see Corrin, PA-C, Houston injector, visit Facial Aesthetics Team to see all of my services or BOOK ONLINE or call 713.637.9001 to schedule an appointment.
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