The Procedure

If you’re considering some type of cosmetic enhancement, it can often be scary to book an appointment and walk through the doors of the clinic into the unknown, but you can help alleviate those fears, simply by learning something about your chosen procedure before going ahead with it. Botox is a relatively safe treatment, but there is a slightly surgical element attached to it, due to the needles used; your surgeon should talk you through every aspect of the procedure before they begin, and they should mention the possible side-effects, as well as the benefits associated with it.

What happens during an initial consultation for Botox injections?

The first appointment is primarily to establish whether or not you are a suitable candidate for Botox injections, your dentist will do this by examining your face and discussing your medical history with you. Patients with certain medical conditions or those who have suffered extreme allergic reactions in the past may not be approved for treatment. You need to mention if you have had Botox before and what the results were, and make sure your surgeon is aware of any medications you might be taking – some antibiotics or prescription drugs can cause problems with the injections. They may also ask you about your current skincare regime, just to be sure there are no products on your skin that could hinder progress.

If your skin condition and general health are suitable for Botox injections, your surgeon will begin by taking pictures of your face, in particular, the problem areas, which are usually around the eyes and the upper lip, the middle portion of the brow, and between the eyebrows. This is not just so that they can record the improvements, it’s also so that they can compare the changes if you should return for further treatment, to help them retain a consistent, natural look, that doesn’t alter your face completely.

In the event that your dentist deems you unsuitable for Botox treatment, there are some other options available to you, for instance, dermal fillers or chemical peels. If you are interested in the various anti-aging products on offer at the Pearl Dental Clinic, call now to book a consultation and you could look and feel younger before you know it.

Finally you will be able to discuss any health concerns you may have with your surgeon, and you will be asked to sign some consent forms, as insurance for both you and the clinic, in case any complications should arise during your treatment.

What is involved in the Botox injecting procedure?

Firstly, you will be asked to sit comfortably in an upright position, which might mean adjusting the chair to your height specifications; you shouldn’t be lying down when the solution is injected, gravity has to play its part, in order to give a more natural outcome. It’s also unlikely that you will be given anaesthetic, as it’s not generally considered a good idea to inject local anaesthetic into the face, but you might benefit from some type of numbing cream or gel, if you are really worried about feeling pain. However, most patients will find that the needles are so tiny that they don’t feel very much discomfort at all.

After the surgeon has noted the areas of the face most in need of attention, they may mark the injection sites with a fibre-tipped pen, just to make sure the changes remain even and somewhat symmetrical. The most common areas of treatments are the puckered wrinkles on the top lip – usually a sign of smoking in a younger person, deep frown lines on the forehead, crow’s feet at the corner of the eyes, and prominent nasolabial folds – lines that run from the nose to the edge of the lips. It’s fairly typical to have a small amount of Botox applied to all of these areas at once, but dozens of injections in one sitting is not advisable, it shouldn’t take more than two or three in one area to make a visible difference. When you and your surgeon are both ready, the injecting process can begin; this uses very fine needles to inject the Botox into the muscles beneath the skin, and normally takes effect in only a few minutes. The entire series of injections should take no longer than ten minutes to administer, and should not be too painful.

Because Botox is a concentrated solution, it only takes miniscule amounts to tighten the muscles and pull the skin taut over the top of them, so you don’t have to worry about an overdose, especially if you have booked with an experience, reputable clinic.

What happens after the Botox has been injected?

Most patients, particularly those that regularly have treatment, will leave the office immediately after the Botox has been injected, and they can return home or to work to continue their daily routine. You can also reapply make-up, to cover any slight bruising or swelling around the injection sites. The only thing you really have to remember is that you shouldn’t lie down for at least four hours after the procedure; this is to prevent any changes in your face due to gravity, and don’t exercise for the next twenty-four hours; any repeated impact or activity could have a negative effect on the results. There’s no need for weeks of bed rest, but you do have to be careful for a short period following the treatment, to make sure you don’t undo the progress made. Seasoned patients are more likely to have Botox during their lunch break or even before they go to work, so that it doesn’t take any time out of their routine, but if it’s your first experience with facial injections, you might be more comfortable spending a little bit of time relaxing at home after your treatment, until you get used to the way it works. If you notice any side effects that seem to take some toll on your overall health, such as dizziness or flu-like symptoms, you should return to the clinic for further instructions, or go to the hospital, if you feel your life is in danger – although, this very rarely happens.