Considering Botox? Two Experts Share What To Consider First

First & Foremost, Do Your Research

“Research is the most important thing you can do before Botox. You are thinking of having something injected into your face – surely you want to know everything you can about that and the procedure first? You’ll be surprised by how many of your friends are secretly having it done. They’ll have that natural, fresh look that many of us seek. It’s why recommendations are also essential. You should also always ask, who is the practitioner? What are their qualifications? And how long have they been doing it? I recommend checking for affiliations such as BCAM (British Colle of Aesthetic Medicine) and registration with the GMC (General Medical Council) – this means that they are fully vetted and trustworthy.” – Dr. Richard Sibthorpe, Expert in Advanced Aesthetic Treatments 

Consider Why You’re Doing It  

“It’s essential to consider why you’re having Botox done. Really think about whether you need it, or whether you’re having it done because you feel you should, or because your friends are doing it. You should be prepared to follow the post-procedure advice for two to three days after having it done, if you cannot then it’s better to postpone or not have it done at all. For example, you must not engage in any strenuous exercise for 48 hours’ post-treatment and it is important to sleep on your back for two nights after the treatment. It is essential to consider the acute and long term costs too. I usually recommend two to three sessions per year depending on age and the amount of ageing present so patients need to financially plan.” – Dr. Bibi Ghalaie, Cosmetic Physician At Doctor Bibi Clinic 

Start Off Small 

“As Bibi says, ask yourself why you’re doing it. If you see the signs of ageing when you look in the mirror – like wrinkles and heavy frown lines – then yes, Botox can work well. It doesn’t always have to be the maximum amount immediately, either. Start with ‘Baby Botox’ which is just a small amount. This way, you can see if you like it. You can always have more as part of a review or adjustment.” – Richard 

Think About The Look You Want

“Consider whether you want to achieve a frozen/static look or a more natural one that leaves behind expression. You may think you can decide down the line, but preparation in this aspect is key. It comes back to doing research – look at the type of effects you want to create. Everyone is different and will want a different aesthetic – both are achievable depending on the patient’s desire. It’s also worth noting that there are some conditions which contraindicate the use of Botox. Patients should consider whether they have any of these that would preclude them from safely having Botox. For example, people with myasthenia gravis, people taking certain medications such as aminoglycosides, and also women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should all avoid the use of Botox. Lastly, it is not ideal to have this treatment or any injectables done right before a big or important event like a wedding, for example. Why? Because it takes about two weeks for the results to kick in and settle, secondly downtime for any possible bruising needs to be considered too.” – Bibi 

Know The Needles Are Tiny

“A lot of people fear the needles with Botox but it’s worth noting that the ones we use are very fine. Because of this, most people don’t find Botox to be too painful. If you know your practitioner is skilled, you should also be reassured knowing that any discomfort will be kept to a minimum. It is possible you could get a bruise, but that is less common these days, nevertheless, consider whether you should go back to work after or not once having had it done.” – Richard 

Understand How Filler & Botox Differ

“Confusing the indications for these two treatments is very common. For example, patients will often come in to my clinic asking if they can have Botox in their lips. Botox is a muscle relaxing treatment that is injected into facial muscles and aimed at treating the lines and wrinkles that form when a muscle contracts. As such, it is not effective for deep-set lines. It can soften a superficial line, but it will not fill a deep-set line. Instead, it will stop these lines from turning into static lines and, in this way, it can be both therapeutic and preventative.  Botox is most commonly used for treatment of upper face lines, including the forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet, but it has a multitude of uses in other facial areas, and can also be used to treat migraines, excessive sweating and even neck pain. Fillers, on the other hand, are gel volumisers. They do not prevent muscle contraction; they are injected with the aim of filling a crease or creating volume.  They are not injected into muscles but rather into the skin or area beneath the skin.”  – Bibi