We answer 6 common questions men ask about Botox
Botox®. You’ve probably heard of it and maybe you’ve even considered it for a moment. Like it or not, wrinkles happen to all of us. Genetics, diet, environmental stress and skin care habits can impact the way our skin ages, eventually leaving their mark in the form of frown lines, smile lines or crow’s feet. If you’d like to minimize these lines and preserve a younger look, then this popular treatment might be for you.
Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision about whether Botox® is right for you.
#1: What is it?
BOTOX® (botulinum toxin type A) is a purified protein. It is injected into a muscle to prevent the muscle from constricting. By keeping these targeted muscles relaxed, movements that cause lines to form in the skin are reduced, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
BOTOX® can be considered more of a preventative measure. If you already have deep wrinkles, it can help to prevent them from growing deeper. Your doctor may also suggest using a combination of botox and fillers to address deeper wrinkles. Fillers plump up the existing wrinkled area underneath the skin, further reducing their appearance. Think of wrinkles as a hole in a mattress. Fillers act like extra stuffing to replace what is missing, and BOTOX® acts like a solution to prevent the mattress from creasing.
#2: How is the procedure done?
Using a very fine needle, this treatment is done by injecting units of BOTOX® in very small amounts into the area that is causing the wrinkles or lines. This liquid is injected directly into the muscle that produces the wrinkle and not into the wrinkle itself. Each muscle requires a specific number of BOTOX® “units” to relax the muscle enough to stop a wrinkle from forming.
#3: Does it really work?
While results will vary for each person, BOTOX® does work! Wrinkles can disappear or diminish dramatically, although it may take a few days for you to notice the effects. Injections are not a permanent solution for wrinkles and fine lines, nor do they claim to be.
The results are temporary but the improvement you will achieve from BOTOX® will last anywhere from 3-6 months. You will eventually notice a gradual fading of its effect, at which point, you will need to return for maintenance injections every 4-6 months. Some clients notice that after having multiple treatments, the effects last months longer than it did in the past.
Some research has revealed that continued use of BOTOX® may delay the creation of new wrinkles and potentially increase collagen and elastin levels in the injected areas over time. This means that regular users of BOTOX® treatments could attain the same results with lower doses over time. In addition, repeat patients could also have a longer time interval before getting their next touch up.
#4: When does it start to work?
Very quickly, you will notice BOTOX® beginning to work in 1-4 days. Full results are achieved within 7-10 days of treatment. This results in a slow, natural improvement.
#5: Sounds great! But are there side effects?
There are hundreds of studies that have proven the effectiveness and safety of this treatment for both medical and cosmetic purposes. According to a report in Newsweek USA, over 1.5 million BOTOX® procedures were performed in 2018.
The popularity doesn’t come as a surprise since it has been used as a medical treatment for over 25 years. Typically, the doses used in cosmetic treatments are much less than the doses used for medical reasons (muscle spasms, migraine headaches, sweating, etc.).
Immediately after you’ve had your treatment, you will feel exactly the same as you did before the treatment; there is little to no downtime. Possible side effects are usually related directly to the injection site, such as discomfort from the needle and a small bruise. A rare potential side effect is a temporary drooping of one eyelid. However this is very uncommon when BOTOX® is administered by an experienced injector.
#6: Is it expensive?
The cost of a BOTOX® treatment varies based on a few factors, just like any goods or service provided. Some of the factors include cost from the supplier, expertise and reputation of the doctor, rent and operating costs, etc.
Most clinics in Canada charge by the number of units needed in the targeted area, ranging between $10 to $17 per unit. The number of units needed is not the same for everyone. Factors such as your gender and age, area of treatment, strength of your facial muscles and the depth of your wrinkles play a role in determining the number of units needed for your treatment. As men, we generally require more units than women.
Remember…
The goal is to find the right balance of BOTOX® to diminish wrinkles while still being able to make normal facial expressions.
For your first time, it is better to try a lower amount of units and to perform touch-ups, rather than injecting too much and possibly experience a negative outcome. We recommend that you choose to work with an experienced injector who prices BOTOX per unit, rather than per area. This way you know exactly how much BOTOX® you are receiving (and paying for) with each treatment.
The ideal scenario is that no one will recognize you had anything done. They will just think you look refreshed, well rested and never seem to age. Don’t worry, we won’t say a word!
Book a consultation to speak with a professional about Botox.