Botox

botox memphis

There is a reason that Botox has an overwhelming lead over other cosmetic treatments on the market: it works. In a world where misleading information about cosmetic treatments is so often presented as “scientifically proven,” having a track record of substantial success is a rare commodity.

And it doesn’t only work; it is also straightforward. So if you are searching for a way to address those fine lines and wrinkles throughout your face but want to avoid undergoing any surgery, then Botox treatment is likely the best option for you.

If you would like to learn more about how Botox can help you, fill out our online contact form to get started today. We are looking forward to hearing from you and getting you the results you desire.

What Is Botox?

Botox is an injectable cosmetic procedure made of the botulinum type A toxin, a substance derived from the same chemical that causes botulism. When injected into a muscle, the toxin shuts down its ability to communicate with the central nervous system, preventing the development of wrinkle formation caused by daily facial movement.

The result is an appearance that does not generate wrinkling from muscle movement and provides progressively smoother skin as wrinkled skin has a chance to smooth over time. When done correctly, Botox is injected with pinpoint accuracy into particular muscles, avoiding an overly done appearance. Because of its efficacy, botulinum toxin treatments were the most performed cosmetic procedure in 2019, leading by about five million procedures over the second most performed, soft tissue fillers, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Am I a Candidate for Botox?

There were more than 7.7 million botulinum toxin procedures performed throughout 2019, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. So it is fairly safe to say that Botox is a perfectly safe procedure that can produce substantial results for most people.

While it is best used to treat wrinkles on the forehead, frown lines, bunny lines and crow’s feet, there is a host of other body sections that Botox can be utilized. If you have any of these conditions or would like to see about using Botox in a specific area not listed, then you may be a strong candidate for this injectable treatment.

Some people may be considered high risk due to certain pre-existing conditions. These situations are rare, and your physician will let you know if anything in your medical history prevents you from having Botox performed. Those best suited are free from these pre-existing conditions, do not smoke and are in good general health and weight maintenance.

It is also vital that you come into the Botox process with a clear understanding of what can be realistically achieved. The patients who are disappointed in their Botox treatment are usually those who thought they would receive results that were outside the scope of what Botox can provide.

The best way to avoid this disappointment is to do plenty of research, make sure to ask your physician any questions you have and browse collections of before and after Botox photos to know exactly what this treatment can provide.

How Should I Prepare for Botox?

The first step in the Botox process is scheduling an appointment for your initial consultation. This is the point at which you will present your aesthetic goals and get an answer about whether Botox is a good fit for those goals. If the conditions you are hoping to solve are wrinkle related, then it is likely Botox will be confirmed as an option.

This is the best time to bring up any questions, concerns or comments you may have, and we typically recommend that you keep a running list of those questions and bring them with you to your appointment. This prevents you from forgetting any key questions you had during the interview and ensures that you leave armed with as much information as possible.

After listening to your aspirations for the treatment, your physician will conduct a physical examination of the areas being treated and review your medical history. This information will then be used to develop an individualized treatment plan that is custom fit for your needs.

You may be given a list of preoperative instructions to follow in the days, weeks or (in some rare cases) months leading up to your procedure. These instructions will be personalized, but generally, you should avoid excessive sunlight exposure and smoking as much and as soon as possible. Your adherence to these instructions will have a direct impact on your results and recovery.

What Should I Expect from a Botox Procedure?

As a nonsurgical, injectable treatment, a Botox procedure is relatively simple and straightforward that has little room for error in the hands of a trained professional like those at De La Belle Wellness and Spa in Memphis. The procedure is also minimally painful, which means that a topical numbing agent is usually enough to prevent most of the pain or discomfort that comes with this procedure.

Once the numbing agent has taken effect and the skin has been cleaned, one of our medical professionals will make the Botox injections into targeted muscles throughout the face. Patients often describe their pain and discomfort as minimal or nonexistent.

The entire process can be performed in around 15 minutes in most cases, but this depends on the extent of the procedure you are having done. If you have a particularly lengthy Botox procedure performed, which probably includes multiple injection sites, you should plan for about 45 minutes of procedure time.   

What Should I Expect During Botox Recovery?

For the most part, side effects after a Botox procedure are incredibly mild. There are many ways your unique body will react to the treatment, but here are a few of the most common:

  • Mild pain
  • Minimal swelling
  • Upset stomach
  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness
  • Headaches
  • Bruising
  • Subtle eyelid drooping
  • Watery or dry eyes
  • Soreness

It is typical for swelling to stick around for up to a few weeks, but it will continue to minimize as you get further along in the healing process. With that being said, most patients will get a good idea of what their final results will look like around three to five days after the procedure was performed when most of the swelling and bruising has dwindled.

One of the biggest draws for people about Botox is how little recovery and downtime there actually is to achieve such substantial results. You can return to your work, school and, in most cases, the rest of your life immediately after the procedure if you so choose. This is a massive advantage over traditional cosmetic surgeries, which require weeks of downtime away from work and months of recovery before a clear idea of the results are noticeable.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Botox?

Botox can smooth fine lines and wrinkles throughout your face with precision accuracy, restoring the youthful appearance you once had. You can expect a substantial drop in noticeable skin folding and the development of further wrinkling throughout the targeted areas. It is important to remember that your results will only last as long as the treatment is maintained.

Once the treatment has worn off and the facial muscles have restored their ability to engage, the wrinkles will once again begin to show as your face emotes. However, the wrinkling that is formed will not be as deep as it would have been had Botox not been administered. For this reason, many younger people are choosing to begin Botox at an earlier stage so that it can function as a preventative treatment.

Many patients are often concerned that Botox will create an unnatural appearance that prevents someone from showing any emotion. While these results are possible, they only develop when someone has drastically overdone their Botox injections and the medical professional overseeing the injections was not taking care to maintain a natural appearance. At De La Belle, we make sure we plan every Botox regimen with the priority of maintaining a natural appearance.

Can I Combine My Botox with Other Procedures?

Since Botox is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure, many people use it as one part of an entire cosmetic treatment plan. As long as the procedure does not interfere or become harmed by Botox injections, you can combine it with most other cosmetic procedures. This is made even more versatile because of how specific the Botox injections are.

Here is a list of some of the treatments that are most commonly performed alongside Botox:

  • Juvederm Volbella
  • Juvederm Voluma
  • Juvederm Ultra Plus
  • Radiesse
  • Belotero Balance
  • Restylane
  • Kybella
  • Xeomin
  • elōs Plus
  • Venus Legacy

When it comes to nonsurgical treatments, the combinations are nearly endless. Let our physicians know early on in your consultation that you are interested in having more than one procedure performed. When appropriate, our medical professionals may suggest having additional treatments added to your Botox regimen if they believe it will help you achieve the aesthetic you desire, but these treatments are always optional.

How Much Does Botox Cost?

Botox can cost anywhere between $250 and $1,200, depending on the area being treated and the extent of your correction. It is important to keep in mind that this cost also considers your physician’s medical expertise and experience, so be wary of any offices that claim to offer high-quality Botox results for a fraction of the cost of other practices — it could mean that physician lacks a comparable skillset.

Restore Your Skin with Botox in Memphis, TN

If you are ready to start your Botox journey and reclaim the youthful appearance you once flaunted, give our office a call at (901) 433-9024 or fill out our online contact form to get started today. We know what you really need is a partner through this process, and we look forward to being that resource for you to lean on.