Answers to All Your Botox Questions

About Botox®…
We promise that you will not leave your first Smooth (Wrinkle Reducer) appointment looking frozen or unusual! No matter how much Botox (or dermal filler) you receive, you are you! To gain an understanding of how this neuromodulator works and what to expect – read on.

When is a good time to start Botox? When I am 50?
No! Botox can be used early – for prevention. When you start seeing faint lines on your forehead, between your brows and around your eyes, you are ready for Botox. This can be as early as your 20s, or a bit later. For the younger generation, prevention is key, and “Baby Botox” sprinkles will whisper those faint lines away.

What does Botox do?
Botox trains our muscles not to work so hard and helps prevent the start of more permanent lines and keeps them at bay as we age. Muscle memory! You do not have to wait until you see strong lines to start treating with Botox – early prevention goes a long way.

How can I get the best results?
The key to an excellent outcome is finding your preferred provider. Look for an experienced aesthetic nurse injector – much in the way you would search for a trusted therapist or other medical professional. Schedule a consultation, where your aesthetic nurse injector will assess your muscles to determine an appropriate treatment plan. This is also a good time to ask questions and see if your personalities and goals are a good match. Know that as with any other medical provider, it will take a few visits for your aesthetic nurse injector to learn your muscles and what techniques work best for you. Be patient. And when you connect with the right one who understands your aesthetic goals, don’t let go!

How much Botox will I receive? And when will I see results?
With Botox, no two faces are the same. What your mother or sister receive in terms of amount, may not be the right amount for you. Botox is measured in units, and each facial muscle has an appropriate unit amount that is customizable to your age and genetic tendencies. Your muscles will be treated with the appropriate dose that will give you great results for the duration of your Botox treatment, typically 3 – 4 months. 

Botox takes two full weeks to take effect. Notice a refreshed appearance as those “11s” (the two vertical lines between the brows) start to fade. Adjustments can be made after two weeks – and more areas can be added. Your muscles are learning a new behavior before they settle into a fresher version of you. Treat too early or with too many units, and you run the risk of heavy brows that sink too low. The best approach is a gradual one – more can always be added, but never subtracted.

What about movement? Should I have any movement at all?
Yes! Your brow should have some movement. Zero movement looks unnatural. There should be some brow elevation and movement to avoid a “frozen” look. When brows do not move, people do not look natural. In addition to the frontalis (forehead), wrinkles on the lateral brows can be treated, but too much Botox can make this area droop – which is also undesirable. This is an area that sometimes can take time to smooth out, and sometimes needs re-volumizing through the use of dermal fillers. Botox and dermal fillers work well together – giving you your ideal outcome.