Have you ever thought about getting Botox injections?
Here are five interesting factions about the wrinkle-smoothing neurotoxin that millions around the world swear by for its anti-ageing effects.
You’ll feel a little strange at first
You’ll likely feel some stinging and sharp pricks when you get your Botox injections, and that is to be expected. However, don’t be surprised if you experience a strange, rather heavy sensation in the area in the few days after your injections. As cosmetic dermatologist Dr Robert Anolik puts it, you’re “limiting the muscle contractions that lead to folds, so yes, it can feel funny in the beginning, because you’re not able to move muscles that would normally contract on command.”
It could cause headaches
This one is a little bit confusing, because Botox can be used to ease the pain associated with migraines and headaches. But when you first get wrinkle-smoothing injections, you might experience some mild to moderate headaches. Dr Whitney Bowe, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, explains that some of her patients report headaches in the days after their injections.
“Botox blunts the expressions that create wrinkles, so if you keep trying to frown hard, raise your brows high in surprise, or smile so big your eyes scrunch up, you can get a headache. But 99.9% of the time, these headaches, whatever the cause, never reoccur—they’re one and done.”
You might see small bruises or puncture marks
Your doctor might tell you that Botox has absolutely no downtime – and it usually doesn’t. You can go straight back to work and carry on with normal activities (skip the gym, though). That said, Botox injections can cause small puncture marks and result in minor bruising. To prevent and minimise bruising, avoid painkillers (such as paracetamol, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen) for a week before your injections.
This potential bruising is why we don’t recommend Botox just before a big event. You’ll want to give it some time to settle, which leads us to the next point…
You won’t see the results for a few days to a week
If you’re anything like me, you’ll likely be standing in the mirror just a few hours post-treatment, contorting your face and looking for results. Botox just doesn’t work that way! It really does take a few days to see the difference. Everyone is different, but most people will see the full results by day 7. The results will last between 3 – 5 months. You should consider another treatment around the 4-month mark to keep your skin as smooth as possible and prevent new wrinkles from settling in.
Ice is a no-no
If you’re worried about bruising, you might think it’s a good idea to ice the area. After all, it works for other bruising, so it will work for Botox, right? Wrong. The ultra-cold temperature of ice can prevent the effects of Botox from taking hold. If you want to avoid bruising, go for some anti-inflammatory arnica gel immediately after your appointment. You should also invest in some high-quality concealer, which will make short work of your minor bruises.
