The Top Six Botox Mistakes to Avoid for Flawless Results

Botox is used to treat many conditions from migraines to TMJ pain, to excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Many patients choose to use Botox to diminish signs of aging and aid facial symmetry. Botox is FDA-approved currently to reduce the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines, and crows feet. Off label, it can be used to lift brows, open the eyes, reduce nasal bunny lines, lift the nose tip, decrease nasal flaring, decrease dimpling of the chin, raise lip corners, evert the lips to create a fuller look, decrease a gummy smile, slim the lower part of the face, lift droopy jowls, smooth out neckbands, reduce calf size, treat asymmetry from Bella’s palsy (facial paralysis) amongst other cosmetic and medical implications. Clinically, it is considered safe and effective in these applications and further clinical trials are underway for each FDA approval.

The length of time results will last from Botox depends on several factors. The quantity used, the area injected, the strength of your muscle, your level of sensitivity to the botulinum protein, your metabolism, stress level, and your activity level can all affect the duration of your Botox. On average, patients undergo repeat Botox procedures every three to four months to maintain their results as they notice their muscle action returning.

The cost of Botox injections can vary greatly. Some providers price their treatments according to the number of units used. Other places price based on the number of areas treated. Price may also vary based on location and the provider’s experience. On average, Botox is priced at $12-20 per unit. A single treatment session typically uses between 20 and 70 units of Botox, depending on the number of muscles treated and the strength used. Therefore, the average price for a session of Botox ranges from $500 to $800. Schedule a consultation with a cosmetic provider to learn how much your treatment will cost.

Botox is considered to be a safe and effective way to treat fine lines and wrinkles. That being said, some minimal side effects can uncommonly be associated with its use, including headaches, dry mouth, infection, itching, and rashes. Other more rare but serious side effects include severe muscle weakness, loss of bladder control, and trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing. Your cosmetic provider will provide you with a comprehensive list of symptoms and make sure you are aware of any life-threatening issues that can occur.

For four hours after your Botox treatment, you should avoid exercising, bending over, and lying down. Also, avoid touching or rubbing the areas that are injected to reduce the risk of infection or diffusion into surrounding muscles.

Many cosmetic providers urge patients to avoid exercise altogether for the first four hours following treatment, as this can decrease their effectiveness due to increased blood flow. We recommend avoiding exercise for 4 hours after your Botox procedure. After that time, you can return to your regular activities.

Yes. Contracting the treated muscle twice every 15 minutes helps to uptake the Botox and make your procedure more effective. The area may initially feel numb or strange. However, avoid touching or rubbing your face following Botox treatment since these actions can cause Botox to spread to other, unintended areas and cause adverse side effects.

While some believe that Caffeine—as well as alcohol, cigarettes, spicy foods, and Niacin supplements—can contribute to increased swelling and irritation, these symptoms are unlikely with Botox injections as the needles are very small and Botox does not cause much trauma.

Botox is a quick, effective procedure and often only takes 10 minutes or less to complete. Patients typically have no recovery time because Botox is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure. Patients who have active jobs may want to avoid working for 4 hours. Otherwise, most patients can return to their jobs on the same day as their procedure. 

One common misconception is that Botox makes patients look older once it wears off. This is not true! One of the positive “side effects” of Botox is that it can ward off signs of aging, as the areas that are treated have reduced movement and, therefore, are less able to produce further wrinkles. Also, the muscles that pull the face downwards or create frown lines are atrophied a bit after treatment which can continue to be beneficial even after Botox wears off!

More and more people are getting Botox—and some are doing it pretty early. Although most patients choose to undergo Botox treatments in their early 30s, some people in their mid-20s are choosing Botox as a preventive measure to fight signs of aging. Ultimately, it depends on you, your goals, and your genetic predisposition. If you are one who has extremely deep wrinkles when frowning, the damage from the folded skin can form wrinkles at an earlier age than someone who doesn’t fold as much. Hence, you may want to start prevention earlier. Speak to a cosmetic provider to find out whether Botox is a good fit for your needs.