Looking Your Best: Botox Baby!
Say the word “Botox” and you will likely get a response of comfortable familiarity or one of shocked horror.
As much as I promote a healthy lifestyle, you might be surprised to hear me promote a product like Botox. The fact is, I’ve had Botox on a couple of occasions and I’ve always had a positive response to it. For me, I see Botox as like preventative maintenance- a product which can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Which then allows you to keep looking your best, and I strongly feel that looking your best makes anyone feel better about themselves.
But don’t listen to just me! I did an interview with Terri Harper of Spa Medical in Downtown Macon to ask some questions that I’m sure some of y’all have:
- What are some of the largest misconceptions of Botox?
Two things come to mind: 1st, probably the more obvious, is the misconception that Botox is “a poison!!” If I had a dollar for every time I heard “I’m not putting that poison in my body!” I would be a rich woman. Botulinum clostridium is the bacteria from which Botox Cosmetic®, as we know it, comes. There are 7 strand that compose the bacteria chain. One of the seven are extrapolated and purified for injection. It is true that raw botulism is a poison and should be avoided! However, it would take a swimming pool full of Botox Cosmetic® to create the same effect from injecting the small facial muscles.
The second misconception is that Botox makes you look like a “deer in headlights.” Again, that image would be very difficult to create using Botox, but rather often created with a surgical brow lift. When administered correctly and experience and finesse, Botox Cosmetic® can restore a youthful face, erasing fine lines while maintaining natural movement.
- Who is Botox good for?
Botox Cosmetic® can be used in just about every muscle on the face that when contracted, creates a line or fold. The most common places are the lines between the brows created by a frown and the crow’s feet along the side of the eyes when you smile or squint. However, it is useful multiple places on the face and neck, including the forehead lines created when you left your brows for a surprised expression, for vertical lip lines created when you pucker, for ‘bunny lines’ created on the nose with the expression made when something stinks – just to name a few.
- What are the benefits?
The benefits of Botox Cosmetic® are immediate and long term. The short term effect of NOT creating a face full of lines with expression reveals a relaxed, youthful appearance. The long term effect is preventative for lines etched in the skin even in a state of relaxation without any expression. The connotation of such lines is one of looking tired, angry, worried, etc.
- How often do I need to use it to be effective?
Statistically, Botox Cosmetic® will last between 3-4 months. With continued use, however, you may increase the longevity a bit. For most people, the ideal age to begin Botox Cosmetic® is in the mid-late thirties before the appearance of fine lines with no expression.
- Is it expensive? Can I afford it?
In most medical practices, Botox Cosmetic® is priced according to the amount needed. The dosage should be customized to the strength of the muscle and the depth of the lines that are created on expression. A average range for the frown lines may be $200-$300, rarely more than that. The parent company, Allergan, has a loyalty program which offers instant rebaters to return consumers, making it even more affordable!
Other notes: the procedure is a quick office based treatment with no downtime and no immediate appearance issues. You can go straight to lunch with friends or out for the evening without any obvious signs of a treatment. It takes the product an average of 3-4 days to begin to work. The discomfort is also minimal and feels much like tapping your fingernail on your forehead. So very worth the benefit!!
These pictures here are of Katherine, who had her first Botox treatment just last week. She is 26 years old, so you can see it’s never too early to start using Botox. Here is the before photo:
As she said of her own photo: ” As you can see from the image I smile with my eyes so I had a lot of smile lines!”
And here’s the after photo:
You can see the difference for yourselves!
Would y’all like to see it for yourselves? I’m considering making a video of what it’s like to get it myself, comment below if you would love to see a video of this 😉
Note: Spa Medical will be having a special Valentine’s Day event on Monday, February the 9th called “Pucker Up” and they will be running specials all day long. This would be a great time to try something new!
Love to all y’all,
Molly
