Botox Frequently Asked Questions From First-Time Botox Patients

At BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics, Dr. Buddiga is committed to treating the root cause beneath his patient’s symptoms, including reversing the physical signs of skin inflammation, aging, and damage that can negatively impact their wellbeing. One treatment we offer at our clinic is Botox®, a proven treatment to reduce the fine lines that form on our faces as we age. These are wrinkles that are caused by common facial expressions like frowning, squinting, and smiling.

Botox has become one of the most popular aesthetic treatments across the world, but many first-time patients still feel nervous ahead of their appointments. Some are afraid of needles while others are curious about how the injections work.

With the right information, you can arrive at your appointment feeling prepared and excited for the future. Here are a few frequently asked questions for first-time Botox patients.

What is Botox?

Botox Cosmetic is an injectable treatment to reduce the number of lines and wrinkles around your eyes. This treatment is developed using the toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Both the chemicals used to create Botox and the injection process are completely safe and can leave patients with fewer frown lines and wrinkles.

How does Botox work?

Botox targets the furrow and frown lines that form between your eyes, also known as glabellar lines. When you squint or frown, the muscles between your eyes contract, creating a furrowed brow. These facial expressions can also cause crow’s feet, or small lines extending from your eyes on the sides of your face.

Botox injections target the muscles that form your facial expressions. This treatment will temporarily reduce the muscle activity around your eyes and forehead. This creates a visibly smoother appearance and reduces the lines on your face.

Is Botox safe?

Botox is a safe and proven treatment for the reduction of facial lines. The treatment first received FDA approval in 1989 for therapeutic uses. Shortly after approval, the developers of Botox started clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of the injections for cosmetic use. Through extensive safety testing and trials, the developers received FDA approval to use Botox for cosmetic purposes on April 15, 2002.

With FDA approval, the use of Botox continues to grow. Today, Botox is approved for cosmetic use in 95 countries and there have been more than 100 million vials sold in the United States alone.

The safety and effectiveness of Botox continue to be proven as more doctors and aesthetic professionals research it. There are more than 528 articles in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals from experts who researched this treatment.

Dr. Buddiga hand-selects every treatment and product that we administer in our clinic. Botox is safe and you can feel confident in both the treatment and the practitioners administering it.

What is Botox typically used for?

Botox is one of the most popular treatments for fine lines and wrinkles around the face. Each person has unique lines and patterns that form. Some patients use Botox to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet while others want to target forehand lines. Your doctor will discuss your goals for Botox and make treatment recommendations.

While Botox is primarily used for aesthetic purposes, these injections can help a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Severe underarm sweating
• Neck and shoulder spasms
• Excessive blinking
• Chronic migraine
• Overactive bladder

By blocking the nerves to these muscles, Botox injections can help your body regulate itself and maintain higher comfort levels.

How much Botox do I need?

Botox is measured in units, which reflects the strength of a Botox injection. Some areas need more units (which means a higher strength injection) to reach your goals. The average Botox treatment is 25 to 55 units in total. However, these units are typically spread out across the face.

For example, an eyebrow lift might only need three to six units on each side. However, forehead lines might need 25 units in certain cases.

Your doctor will take your aesthetic goals into consideration and develop a Botox treatment plan with the number of units you need. Depending on your reaction to the injections the first time, they may recommend increasing or decreasing the number of units in the future.

What areas of the face can be treated with Botox?

Botox is meant to treat the fine lines and wrinkles that form in between your eyes and on your forehead. The three main areas that your doctor will focus on for your Botox injections are:

• The space in between your eyes where you furrow your brow.
• The lines that form on your forehead from raising your eyebrows.
• The crow’s feet that form on the side of your face.

Your doctor may recommend injections in all three of these areas or suggest focusing on one particular part of your face. This all depends on the severity of your wrinkles and your goals with treatment.

How soon will I see results?

The results from your Botox injections aren’t immediate. It may take three or four days to even notice a difference in your face. By the fifth day, you should start to see the changes in your face and the Botox injections should take full effect within two weeks of your appointment.

That being said, different patients have different reactions. It might only take a few days before you start to notice the difference in your appearance and how you feel.   

How long does Botox last?

Botox injections aren’t permanent, which means you will notice the return of fine lines and wrinkles around your face over time. While individual results vary, the average Botox injection can last between three to four months.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to make Botox injections last longer. This is a common question that doctors hear and there aren’t any ways to extend its effectiveness.

How often should I get Botox?

As the patient, you get to decide how frequently you receive Botox injections. While the treatment starts to wear off within three to four months, some patients only receive injections every six months. However, others prefer to receive their next set of injections as soon as the first set wears off. These patients schedule their appointments regularly every four months.

In some cases, the results of Botox will last longer if you have been receiving these injections for multiple years already. Many long-term Botox users report lasting treatments that prevent wrinkles from forming again for six months. While you may want to schedule appointments every four months when you first start, you can potentially move to semi-annual appointments over time.

Your Botox schedule will depend on how comfortable you feel with the treatment and how you want your face to look. This is an aesthetic treatment that is meant to make sure you look and feel your best.

Are there any side effects?

Botox injections are safe as long as they are performed by an experienced doctor. However, everybody reacts differently to the treatments, which means you may experience some side effects or complications. A few common side effects of Botox include:

• Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Drooping eyelids
• Cockeyed eyebrows
• A crooked smile
• Eye dryness or excessive tearing

Additionally, you may experience rare side effects of Botox if the injection spreads into your body. While this is highly unlikely, there are some risks that you should be aware of. Seek emergency medical help if you experience:

• Muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bladder control

Botox isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure you alert your doctor to any allergies or sensitivities you have before starting treatment.

Have Questions? Ask Dr. Buddiga

We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when receiving Botox injections. Not only will Dr. Buddiga consider your physical comfort, but he will also make sure you are emotionally ready for this treatment.

Dr. Buddiga, the founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, is a highly sought-after medical specialist who advises on the latest research and treatment for asthma, allergy, immunology, and skin conditions for patients of all ages. If you have any questions about Botox injections that aren’t included here, don’t be afraid to ask. Our team is happy to talk about our process and how Botox can help you.