How does Botox work? And what happens if it goes wrong?
If your goals are to soften lines and wrinkles, Botox remains the gold-standard treatment. It’s quick, effective, and the results last for several months. After thirty years of experience in the field and approximately 80 million vials manufactured and distributed in that time, Botox is booming. Whilst there are many different reasons as to why someone might want to try Botox – it could be medicinal (to treat chronic migraines or excessive sweating), or it could be more cosmetic (to smooth out the complexion and reduce the appearance of wrinkles) – there is one common question on most people’s lips – is it safe? And what happens if it goes wrong?
Even though most people have a good idea of what Botox does, they usually think it ‘freezes’ the face, removing all expression. They imagine blank foreheads and eyebrows in a permanent state of surprise. People think of these because we’ve all seen photographs of famous faces that have perhaps taken treatments a bit too far. So, when people think of Botox, they fear that is what they too will experience.
But Botox is one of the top procedures in aesthetic clinics around the world for a good reason – it’s quick, highly effective and when administered by a trained medical professional, it can deliver truly excellent results. So, if you’re worried about what to expect, this is everything you need to know about exploring the treatment in the right way.
How to avoid bad Botox
It all comes down to choosing an experienced and medically trained practitioner. All good practitioners will aim to give their patients a natural-looking result. They will want you to look softer and fresher but still able to move your face and form normal expressions. One of the best ways to find a practitioner is to get a personal recommendation from someone who has tried the treatment and whose results you like. But if that’s not possible, read reviews, look at the practitioner’s medical background and experience, and ask the right questions during your consultation.
If you’re nervous about what the results may be like, ask them to keep it light. You can always add a bit more at your two-week review if needed. At the two-week point, the full effects of the treatment will be showing, so if you’re not entirely happy with the result, your practitioner can make a minor adjustment to even things out.
What should I expect from treatment?
You will have a consultation with your practitioner before they prescribe Botox and begin treatment. During this consultation, they will observe your face and how it moves when you talk or form expressions. Botox injections are commonly injected into three main sites – forehead lines, crow’s feet around the eyes and the vertical ‘11’ frown lines between the eyebrows.
There are other more advanced treatment sites such as chin lifts and bunny lines (the lines that appear on the side of the nose when you wrinkle it), but these aren’t as commonly treated. Following treatment, the results will appear gradually over approximately two weeks.
A good practitioner’s work is cautious and subtle, and every treatment is personalised to suit a patient’s face and style. Medical practitioners see your face in a three-dimensional way, entirely differently from how you see it. During your consultation, be open and willing to listen to recommendations, even if they’re not what you had initially thought of.
Potential problems with Botox
As with any injectable treatment, there may be slight bruising or bleeding at the injection site, which will settle quickly. The main issues with Botox stem from over-treatment. Inexpert injecting can lead to drooping (ptosis) of the eyelid or brow, which will last until the effects of the toxin start to wear off – another good reason for starting with a low dose.
Botox has been used for cosmetic purposes for over 30 years and is a very safe treatment when performed by an experienced medical practitioner. When done well, Botox can make a face look fresher and well-rested, with eyebrows that sit a fraction higher and eyes that look more open.
To find out more about Botox, click here. Or click here to book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
