If you want to say goodbye to fine lines and wrinkles, chances are good you’ve heard of Botox. According to statistics, Botox is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure worldwide.
At Facial Aesthetics, we’re proud to be ranked among the top 1% of practices in the nation by Allergan (makers of Botox) out of over 35,000 practices, for our Botox talent and expertise. As the first in Denver to ever inject bovine collagen 30 years ago, to now injecting neurotoxins and hyaluronic acid fillers today, we take our injectable treatments, and your safety, very seriously. We hire the best aesthetic injectors who complete intensive training and continuous education to keep their skills sharp, which makes our talent a rarity in Denver.
You’re thinking about Botox, but not sure if it’s for you. We know exactly where you’re at. You’re weighing the pros and cons to make sure you choose the right treatment.
Well, we’ve compiled this guide to provide you with everything you need to know about the pros and cons of Botox. We’re glad you’re here as getting advice from the experts is important in your research. Of course our best recommendation would be to come and meet with one of our Botox experts. You can schedule a consultation right online.
What is Botox and how does it work?
Before we look at the pros and cons of Botox, let’s have a look at what it is and how it works.
Botox is a purified form of Botulinum Toxin, type A. The drug was approved as a medical treatment by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989, and was eventually approved for use in cosmetic procedures in 2002.
Botox injections block the chemical signals from nerves in the targeted area, which prevents the muscles from contracting and makes them relax. As well as treating fine lines and wrinkles, Botox can also be used to treat a range of medical conditions, too.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox can be used to:
- Smooth crow’s feet
- Treat forehead furrows
- Smooth frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines
- Reduce neck bands
- Slim jawline
- Correct gummy smiles
At Facial Aesthetics, we offer cosmetic Botox injections to help prevent or improve fine lines and facial wrinkles.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons:
The Pros of Botox
Just because we’re huge fans of this product doesn’t mean we won’t give you all the facts. This is an important decision you’re making. Let us tell you why we love it…
Proven to work
Plain and simply…it works. This popular cosmetic treatment has been approved by the FDA. Millions and millions of people have received treatment and are happy with the results of their treatments. Botox is proven to erase wrinkles for ~3-4 months. Choosing a qualified provider is so important to ensure your Botox is properly mixed and safely injected.
Quick and (almost) painless procedure
Botox is a quick procedure, lasting only 30 minutes in total which includes the initial consultation and preparation. The injecting only takes ~10 minutes. Come in on your lunch break, or really any time of the day. You can return to your daily normal activities immediately after treatment.
No downtime
One of the biggest advantages of these injections is that there is no downtime after the treatment. Some patients may have tiny bruises at the injection site, but it’s nothng you can’t cover up with a little makeup. You will just need to avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours after your treatment and ensure to follow any other post treatment instructions provided by our clinicians.
Quick results
One of the biggest benefits of Botox is how quickly you see the results. You will start to see results within 7 days of having the treatment and it takes 10-14 days to really see that full result.
Not permanent
This can be a pro for some. Here’s why…Botox is not a permanent treatment and will wear off in a couple of months, so you can decide whether you want to continue having Botox to maintain the look, or whether you’d rather go back to how it looked before. If you don’t like the results of Botox, you can let it wear off and it will look as if you haven’t had anything done. With Botox, you always look like you, just more refreshed. Some patients like that it’s temporary so they can try it and compare, especially after the first treatment.
Very few risks
Botox has been researched thoroughly and presents very few health risks. We’ve all read horror stories about unlicensed injectors who use Botox fakes that can cause harm when injected. Choose the right provider the first time and avoid this risk by going to a clinic that has a good reputation and certified, highly trained, aesthetic injectors.
Our Botox clinics in Denver and Greenwood Village have teams of certified aesthetic nurse specialists and physician assistants who are committed to providing professional treatments. Please contact us to book a free consultation today.
Can provide other cosmetic benefits
The primary purpose of getting Botox Cosmetic is to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also be used for medical conditions such as to reduce excessive sweating .
Non-surgical
The truth is, if a patient really needs a facelift, Botox is not going to replace the plastic surgery procedure. However, many people think that they need plastic surgery for some of the things that Botox can do. If you’re not willing or ready to go under the knife, schedule a consultation for injectables. For many of our patients, injectables (botox, dermal filler, PDO threads) alone can provide an effective alternative that will help you achieve the result you desire without anaesthesia and incisions.
Customizable Treatments
Botox is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Your provider and you will discuss your key areas of concern prior to treatment, as well as the results you’d like to see. They will then advise the best places for Botox injections.
The injections can be used in tiny amounts to gradually provide buildable results. If you have areas with deeper wrinkles, you may need more injections or more units of Botox. In contrast, finer lines will need smaller amounts. Being able to customise treatments helps to provide a more natural looking result.
The Cons of Botox
Botox offers a number of benefits but there are also a few Botox cons to consider before you make the decision to have the treatment
Not permanent
While this was also listed as a pro, this can also be one of the disadvantages of Botox, too. If you like the results that Botox provides, it will need to be injected 3-4 times a year to maintain your wrinkle free look. The results last three to four months, so this is how often you will need to top up your treatments to maintain that look you love. Pre-booking helps decrease the burden of this con and when you pre-book you save on your Botox at Facial Aesthetics (*yay*).
Can take several treatments to work
Some patients prefer to have their Botox touched up after two weeks to improve the paralysis or diminish further lines that didn’t respond the first time. In some cases, they may require more units to get exactly what they’re looking for. While this is not necessarily a con, especially for first time Botox patients who may want to start a little more conservatively to see how they respond, sometimes it may require more units and more money.
We address this by scheduling a follow-up appointment two weeks later with every patient to see how their Botox is settling in. We welcome open communication with our patients and want to make sure you are happy with your result. It’s so important to attend that follow-up appointment and be honest with your injector about how you’re enjoying your results.
Facial expressions can be lost
Botox is popular due to its ability to paralyze muscles and prevent wrinkles. However, this may result in some facial expressions being lost. If it’s not injected properly, Botox can freeze certain facial muscles and cause a constantly surprised look.
Another result is in relation to the brow. An unwanted drop of the eyebrow is called brow ptosis. It can affect either one or both sides of the face. It’s when the brow is hard to lift or doesn’t lift. This is often very unavoidable with an experienced injector who listens to your concerns and who knows where to properly inject the Botox to avoid this result.
Can cause some side effects
While Botox causes very few side effects, it’s important to be aware that, very rarely, side effects can occur.
Rare, but possible:
- Bruising at injection site
- Headache
Very rare:
- Neck pain
- Nausea
- Minor loss of speech
- Eyelid or brow ptosis
- Allergic reactions
If this happens, you should consult your injector immediately and they will be able to provide advice and guidance on what to do next.
Botox in Denver
Now that you know more about the advantages and disadvantages of Botox, you can decide whether it’s the right treatment for you.
We said this already, but we have a lot of love for Botox! Mainly because of the beautiful, natural results it provides. We take all treatments and assessments very seriously to ensure safety for all patients at every visit.
If you have any questions about Botox, please don’t hesitate to contact us. It’s important to choose a clinic with an excellent reputation for injectable treatments to make sure you get the best results from your treatment and to prevent any unwanted side effects.
Please contact us today to find out more or to book your Botox treatment in one of our clinics.
