Botox is a neurotoxin (a form of botulinum toxin type A) that is injected into targeted treatment areas using an ultra-fine needle. Botox® works by blocking nerve signals to prevent the muscles in certain areas of the face from contracting, allowing the skin to remain smooth and unwrinkled.

Botox treatments are quick and not considered painful. Most patients say they experience minimal discomfort during the injection process but that it does not continue after the completion of the procedure. Because Botox treatment requires no anesthesia or recovery time, some patients even schedule appointments for Botox injections during their lunch hour and are able to return to work right after their appointment.

Each patient is different, but most will typically begin to notice results gradually between 3-7 days after receiving injections. For some, it may take up to 2 weeks to realize the final effects.

The outcome will vary from person to person, but typically you can expect the results of Botox to last from three to six months. The location of the injection and the amount used are the biggest factors that may affect how long it lasts. Other factors include your age, the elasticity of your skin, and wrinkle depth. Over time, when facial muscles aren’t used, they eventually get shorter and smaller, so regular use of Botox may extend the results for longer periods of time.

Many patients wonder if they are too young or too old to try Botox. Some begin treatment as a preventative measure at the first site of lines and wrinkles. Others wait until later in life when these expression lines become more prominent. To determine if you may benefit from Botox treatment, it’s best first to schedule a consultation with a licensed professional.

Botox is FDA-approved as a safe treatment for reversing lines and wrinkles. However, patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neurological diseases should not receive Botox treatments.

As with any procedure, whether medical or cosmetic, there is always a risk of side effects. Some patients may experience bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness around the injection site. These side effects resolve on their own within a few days or up to a week following Botox treatment.

Your provider may advise you not to consume alcohol or cease taking certain medications or supplements in the week prior to your treatment, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Gingko Biloba, or Ginseng, which are known to thin the blood. This will help minimize the potential side effects listed above.