After Botox you should avoid lying flat for four hours. Other things to avoid after Botox are massaging or applying heat to the treatment area; activities that cause flushing such as exercising heavily, consuming alcohol, or hot tub use for the rest of the day. These aftercare practices reduce potential spread of the Botox that can lead to unintended effects.

When using botox to treat pain, such as for TMJ/jaw pain or migraines, you can expect to start to feel relief within a few days. Pain relief after Botox injections can last for 4-5 months. These injections tend to last longer compared to other areas such as crow’s feet due to the larger amount of Botox required to treat the painful areas.

Botox injections for migraine relief usually do not hurt. With the tiny 31 gauge needle used for Botox, the injection feels like a tiny pinprick.

When botox starts to work, you will feel the muscles begin to relax and soften in the areas treated. If you are receiving Botox for pain, such as in the jaw area, you will start to feel pain relief as soon as a couple days after treatment. For cosmetic purposes, you will see your wrinkles become less prominent within a week and can expect to see full results by two weeks after treatment.

The Do’s and Don’ts of botox are:
DO: Stop taking any supplements/medications including vitamin E, fish oil, aspirin, ibuprofen (medications that thin your blood) for at least 5 days prior to injections.
DO: Begin taking Arnica Montana tablets and eating fresh pineapple 3 days prior to your Botox treatment. 
DON’T: Drink alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to your injection.
These precautions will lessen the chances of bruising at the site of the injection.

You may shower after botox, but avoid washing and rubbing your face for at least 4 hours after injections.

Complications after cosmetic botulinum toxin injections are rare but can last for weeks to months if they occur. Spread of the product can result in drooping of the eyelid, an undesired eyebrow shape, or other facial asymmetry. Fortunately, these effects are temporary and will wear off.

There is not a specific age at which you should start getting Botox injection; however, the earlier you begin, the more effective they will be in preventing skin wrinkles from forming. Many people start preventative Botox before static wrinkles form. Static wrinkles are those that are present when the facial muscles are at rest.

Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that form when muscles contract during facial expressions. Without prevention and proper skincare, dynamic wrinkles will eventually become static wrinkles.

You should not wear makeup for 4 hours after Botox injections to avoid the risk of bacteria getting into the skin.

Botox is safe for long term use.  If you are pregnant and/or nursing, however, you should not receive Botox during that time.

You should avoid sleeping on your face for 24=48 hours after botox injections.

Typically, botox lasts approximately 3 months in the forehead. Variations around this average duration of treatment effect may result from Individual factors such as inherent muscle strength and frequency of facial expressions. In areas where the muscles are unusually strong and are used very often, the results may not last as long.

The cost for Botox will depend on the amount of medication, or units, used. If you are comparing prices between different practices, do not assume the lowest price is best. High quality is rarely accompanied by the lowest “bargain” price.