Two skin experts answer all your questions about Botox’s efficacy, side effects, and how to care for your skin after a treatment.
, Botox is a prescription medication derived from the botulinum toxin type A. “When injected into a muscle, it blocks the ability for the nerve to tell the muscle to move,” says Corbett. “Once the muscle is ‘relaxed’ and no longer moving or ‘wrinkling’ the skin, lines that appear deep or evident at rest will soften and the skin will appear smoother.
Botox can also be used for non-cosmetic treatments, and some of them have had FDA approval longer than some of the treatment’s cosmetic uses, says Monaco. Some of these uses include treatment of “chronic migraines, bladder spasms, cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis , and TMJ pain,” Monaco explains. You should avoid Botox if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, keep in mind that if you have a muscle disorder such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, you may have serious side effects from Botox, says Monaco.Botox doesn’t require too much prep. You should avoid wearing makeup on the areas to be treated . It’s also best to avoid alcohol as well as blood thinning agents for 24 hours prior to your appointment, as these can up your chances of bruising.
As far as the ouch-factor, Botox is known to be one of the most well-tolerated cosmetic procedures. “I compare its discomfort to that of having a brow wax,” says Corbett. “Topical lidocaine can be used on more sensitive areas such as the upper lip, but the application of ice prior to injection can help ‘numb’ the skin as well.”After your Botox treatment, you should sit upright for four hours and avoid exercise for 24 hours.
In terms of side effects, not everyone will bruise, but Monaco notes that bruising can occur even in the most experienced provider’s hands, simply because some patients have small vessels under the surface of the skin. Also, Monaco says that if a patient has had aspirin in the seven days leading up to an appointment, she likes to give them topical or oral arnica, which is an herbal supplement that can reduce the likelihood of bruising .