Your Comprehensive Guide to Botox and Fillers

You have probably heard of Botox and fillers at least once in your life, but not many people actually know what they are or the differences between both (yes, they are not the same!) We are going to go over all of the basic information about Botox and fillers that you MUST know and answer some of the most frequently-asked questions, so you’ll have nothing to worry about regardless of whether you’re planning on getting them, reading up about them before your first treatment, or just looking to gain some general knowledge about one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the beauty industry.

What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is an FDA-approved prescription medicine that is injected into the muscle to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is made from proteins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Although Botox is popularized as a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment, it is also used to treat certain health problems such as excessive sweating, chronic migraine, overactive bladder, and other neurological disorders.

What exactly does Botox do?

Botox injections stop chemical signals from the nerves to the facial muscles that cause them to contract, thereby relaxing muscles, and softening wrinkles. It is commonly used to achieve a smoother and younger appearance.

How long does Botox last?

Generally, Botox lasts around 3–4 months, but some patients can experience longer-lasting results in the 4–6-month range. Those who receive Botox injections for the first time may experience the results for a shorter period initially.

What are common side effects of Botox?

Immediate side effects may include:

·         Bruising

·         Swelling

·         Tenderness

·         Inflammation

·         Localized pain

These immediate side effects, if experienced, can result from needle trauma to the skin since Botox injections are applied using a fine needle.

Other temporary side effects may include:

·         Nausea

·         Headache

·         Eyelid drooping

·         Muscle weakness

·         Flu-like symptoms

·         Increased sensitivity to light

An allergic reaction can be serious, and similarly to many other drugs, Botox has the potential to cause this to occur in some individuals if they are allergic to any of the ingredients in the injections. Contact your provider or physician immediately if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction.

How long do side effects of Botox last?

The side effects of Botox vary from person to person, but they typically last a few days or weeks at most. Not everybody will experience the same side effects, and some people won’t experience side effects at all.

If you do experience side effects after getting injections and they seem to last longer than usual or get worse, it is important to notify your doctor or nurse practitioner so they can assess your situation and give you the treatment you may require.

What age should you start Botox?

Patients who are 18 years of age or older and who are in good physical health are ideal candidates for Botox. When you start to notice visible lines and wrinkles on your face, it is probably a sign to begin treatments. This may occur as early as when you’re in the mid-20s or mid/late-30s. Starting Botox injections early, also known as preventative Botox, can help prevent wrinkles from forming.

The effects of aging are experienced differently by individuals. Major factors that contribute to the aging process include genetics, ethnicity, and environmental elements such as extreme temperature and sun exposure. As a result, scheduling a consultation with your practitioner for recommendations on the number of units and treatment areas is important to find out what would work best for you.

Who should not use Botox?

People who are pregnant, nursing/breastfeeding, have a neurological disease, or are allergic to any of the ingredients of the injections are not good candidates for Botox. Individuals experiencing severe illness or a skin infection on the planned area of injection should also avoid them until the issues clear up before proceeding with Botox treatments.

Does Botox delay aging?

There is no way to cheat the aging process, of course, but the use of Botox injections can improve your appearance and slow the formation of facial lines and wrinkles, making you look younger for a longer period of time.

What happens after years of Botox? Are wrinkles worse when Botox wears off?

In the long run, stopping Botox treatments after years of getting injections regularly will obviously allow your wrinkles to eventually return. However, this will occur more slowly and those who have been injected still tend to look younger than they would if they hadn’t ever gotten the treatment(s).

Can Botox look natural?

Yes, of course! When Botox injections are performed by a professional, they can look very natural. Using Botox will only enhance your natural look if applied properly.

What is the difference between Botox and fillers?

Botox and dermal fillers are both injections that are used to treat wrinkles.

Botox is injected into the muscles and focuses on smoothing out wrinkles that naturally occur with age, such as those around the eyes, mouth, and in between the eyebrows.

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are mainly used to plump up the cheeks, lips, treat smile lines, and reduce the appearance of scarring. There are many different types of dermal fillers (collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate beads), with options that can create results that last longer than those from Botox (up to 4 months or even permanently). Dermal fillers tend to have more side effects than that of Botox injections, though, like Botox, they can vary from person to person. Along with the possibility of experiencing similar side effects of Botox, fillers may, in rare cases, cause itching, sores, scarring, and long-term swelling. Dermal fillers are not recommended for people who smoke. They also tend to be the more expensive option of the two injectables.

Both Botox and dermal fillers will give the best results as long as you get them injected by a licensed medical practitioner and your health is in good standing.

Benefits of Botox and Fillers

·         Quick, long-lasting results. You will be able to see immediate results after just one session, though the best results are achieved through regular treatments.

·         Simple and convenient way to keep your youthful look. You can maintain your young, glowing skin with just three to four treatments per year. It is a significantly lower time investment than having to follow a long, comprehensive skin regime every day.

·         Non-invasive procedure with little to no recovery time. No kind of surgery needed!

·         Targets specific areas. You can choose what you want done and the treatments are suited for your face.

·         It’s safe. Injections have become a common, standard procedure with minimal side effects.

Using Botox in combination with dermal fillers may be beneficial as well. Both methods are used for different reasons and to treat different kinds of wrinkles. Botox is used to smooth out dynamic wrinkles (those formed by repeated facial movements over time) while fillers decrease the visibility of static wrinkles (those that are visible when the face is at rest). It is quite possible to use both treatments to enhance multiple areas of the face at the same time, so talk to your provider about what will work best for you if this is something you would be interested in.

Pre-Treatment Tips

·         Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and Ibuprofen a few days to around a week before your appointment.

·         Avoid consuming alcohol at least 24 hours before the procedure.

·         Avoid excessively exfoliating or other skin treatments in the planned treatment area(s).

·         Inform your physician of any medications you are taking prior to your treatment (especially if you are taking any blood thinners).

Aftercare Tips

·         You can use your affected muscles immediately following the injection. Exercising your face by smiling, frowning, raising the eyebrows, etc. can actually help work the Botox into your muscles, and will not make the treatment any less effective.

·         Take time to relax. Avoid exercise, working out, and strenuous physical activity for the rest of the day.

·         Avoid laying down and direct exposure to heat or the sun for the first few hours following the treatment.

·         Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging the treated area for at least 24 hours.

·         Avoid getting facial or skin treatments for at least 24 hours after your appointment.

·         Avoid consuming alcohol for 24 hours following the injection.

If you are getting dermal fillers in combination with your Botox injections, you may have to wait at least 24 hours after Botox to get fillers in order to ensure the effectiveness of both.

ZZ Day Spa is launching Botox and fillers at our 120 East 56th Street location on October 20th! To celebrate the launch, we will be having a special promotion of 40 units of Botox for $395! This offer will only be available until October 31st, 2022, so contact us or call 212-904-1552 to schedule a consultation or appointment with us today!