Cheat the signs of aging by getting botox injections. If you’re considering getting one yourself, take a look at a couple of botox before and after pictures and videos to help you get an idea of what
What Is Botox?
Botox is an injectable drug that dermatologists and physicians use to treat wrinkles and facial creases. It’s the brand name for a toxin made by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium.
Manufacturers make Botox injections with very small doses of Botulinum toxin, which can temporarily paralyze muscles and help people with various muscle or nerve disorders.
Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) eventually became the more popular catch-all term for these injections, but in reality, it’s a registered trademark that one company owns. There are other commercial preparations of Botulinum toxin,
- Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A)
- Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxin A)
- Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxin A)
- Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxin B)
Botox is often applied to the following areas:
- Forehead wrinkles/lines
- Crow’s feet
- Sagging eyebrows.
- Frown lines
- Bunny lines
- Marionette lines and mouth corners
- Neck bands or cords
- Jawline
How Does Botox Work?
Botox injections block the signals from the nerves to the muscles. With the injected muscle being unable to contract, it causes wrinkles to relax and soften. It’s often used on forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye), and frown lines. However, they won’t help wrinkles caused by overexposure to the sun.
While reducing wrinkles is often the reason for getting these injections, they can also help treat other conditions, such as:
- Chronic migraines
- Overactive bladder
- Upper limb spasticity (in anyone older than 2 years)
- Crossed eyes, or strabismus (in those older than 12 years)
- Hyperhidrosis (Severe underarm sweating)
- Cervical dystonia
- Blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking)
- Strabismus (Eyes that point in different directions)
How does a botox procedure go?
The procedure normally takes only a few minutes. Physicians use Botulinum toxin by diluting the powder in saline and injecting it directly into neuromuscular tissue; then, they use a small needle to inject the Botox into specific muscles with little to no discomfort, so in most cases, anesthesia isn’t needed.
Results can appear after 24 hours, though It may sometimes take about 7 to 14 days to take full effect.
How long do botox shots last?
On average, the effects of Botox can last from 3 to 6 months. Once it has passed beyond that, muscle action slowly returns, and the lines and wrinkles start to resurface â which require treatment again, though these lines and wrinkles often appear less apparent over time since the muscles are shrinking.
Botox Before And After Photos & Videos
Take a look at what various social media users have to share about their botox experience to help you get an idea of what yours could look like.
Mary Skinner (@mary_skinner)
Albeit only 23 years old then, Mary Skinner had already noticed some fine lines on her forehead, so she decided to get a baby botox procedure where she received 21 units of Dysport.
Around the 4th and 5th days after the procedure, she could still move her forehead, but the lines became less evident. Three days later, the shots had fully taken effect, and her forehead had completely smoothened.
Anthony Youn MD (@doctoryoun)
The gents get botox too!
Detroit-based plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn shared getting a botox procedure between his eyebrows on Tiktok. He showed how his forehead gradually smoothened and tightened after the procedure.
In his Tiktok post, he notes that the treatment was easy and painless but warns people to be careful where it’s placed to avoid complications.
Krisss Rene (@krisssrene)
Tiktok user Krisss Rene says she’s always felt insecure about the shape of her face, having a round jaw that didn’t compliment her overall look. So she opted for a masseter botox to rectify her jawline.
So far, she’s happy and satisfied with how her better-defined jaw made a difference in her look and is more confident about showing it off.
Tamsin (@maybetamsin)
A botox brow lift relaxes the muscles between the eyebrows and lifts the brows by allowing the upper muscles of the forehead to have a greater pulling effect.
That’s exactly what Tamsin had in mind. As we can see, her eyebrows started to arch higher days after her lift, giving her a more relaxed look and better-defined appearance.
Side Effects
People generally tolerate Botox injections well, and side effects are rare, and these depend on the purpose of the injections and the person’s bodily response:
- Mild pain, swelling or bruising around the injection site
- Numbness
- Headaches
- Crooked smiling
- Drooling
- Dry eye
- Stomach problems
- Temporary eyelid drooping
- Temporary weakness or paralysis in nearby muscles
- Arrhythmias and myocardial infractions
Safety precautions
If you’ve already booked an appointment, it’s best to avoid taking alcohol at least a week before the procedure â this is done to avoid blood thinning and bruising. You should also abstain from aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications at least 2 weeks before the treatment to prevent bruising.
Avoid rubbing or touching the injection site for 24 hours to avoid spreading the Botox to other areas. The doctor may also tell you to stay upright 4 hours after the shots and avoid heavy physical activities like exercising.
Procedure cost
A 2019 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows that a botox treatment can range anywhere from $300 to $600 (A unit of Botox costs around $10 to $15, while an average treatment usually involves 30 to 40 units)
Since they’re often considered cosmetic procedures, botox treatments aren’t usually covered by insurance plans. Otherwise, you can specify if it had been done for other health-related reasons.
Takeaway
Getting a Botox treatment can make a difference in your look. Botox can help you fight the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles and give your face added definition, and it can also help treat some health problems.
If you’re considering getting Botox, it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider first about the possible benefits, risks, costs, and other factors. That way, they can also suggest the best treatment option for you.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
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