The Beginner’s Guide to Botox
So you're thinking about getting Botox? Here’s what I've learned over the past four years.
If you’ve been thinking about Botox but haven’t actually booked the appointment yet, I get it. There are SO many questions. Will I still look like myself? Will it hurt? How much do I need? Where should I get it? What if I hate it? Am I going to walk out looking completely frozen?!
I’ve been getting Botox for four years now, and I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you just walk into an appointment, get injections all over your face and leave. At least for me, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m actually very particular about where I get Botox, where I DON’T get it and how much movement I want to keep.
Oh, and I haven’t always gotten it exactly right.
So if you’re curious about Botox or sitting on the fence because you have a million questions, I wanted to take you along on one of my appointments and share what I’ve learned..
Before we get into it, a huge thank you to Bridget, my injector, for letting me bring you along for my appointment, record the entire process, and ask ALL the questions. I've learned so much from her over the years, and I love that she was willing to share all of that knowledge with us.
First Things First: What Does Botox Actually Do?
Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a neuromodulator that temporarily reduces muscle activity. When we repeatedly make expressions like squinting, frowning or raising our eyebrows, the muscles underneath our skin contract. Over time, those repeated movements can contribute to lines becoming more noticeable.
Botox works by temporarily blocking some of the nerve signals that tell those targeted muscles to contract. The key word here is temporarily. The effects gradually wear off over time, which is actually something I find reassuring. especially because figuring out exactly what you like can sometimes take a little trial and error.
My Botox Routine Has Changed A LOT. Yours May Too.
What I do today looks VERY different from what I did when I first started. My first Botox appointments were super conservative. I only treated my forehead, and I was getting somewhere around 16–21 units. Today, I get 50+ units and treat multiple areas of my face.
As I became more comfortable with Botox, I started exploring other treatment areas and figuring out what I liked—and what I didn't. Over time, I've learned how much movement I personally like to keep, which areas I like treating and which ones I'd rather leave alone.
I've had results I've absolutely loved and others that taught me what I wanted to do differently the next time. For example, some people are great candidates for Botox under the eyes, and some people aren’t. Everyone’s anatomy, skin and facial expressions are different, and I learned that firsthand.
I have thin skinned, very expressive under eyes and little “smile pockets” (aka a jelly roll) when I smile. We tried a tiny amount of Botox very superficially under my eyes, and even though it was placed correctly and we were super conservative with the dose, I just didn’t like the way my face reacted to it.
When I smiled, the bottom of my eye barely moved and I felt like I lost so much of my natural expression. I looked at the photos and immediately thought, “Why do I look like Skeletor?!” LOL. It just wasn’t me. Here are some photos so you can see what I mean.
Thankfully, because we started with such a small amount, the effect wore off pretty quickly. But it was actually a really good lesson for me: just because Botox can be used in a certain area doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for every face. This is exactly why having an injector who understands your anatomy, starts conservatively and pays attention to how your face moves is so important.
Looking back, I'm glad I started small. I didn't need to walk into my first Botox appointment knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my entire face. I started with one area, saw how I felt about it and went from there.
And that evolution is probably the biggest thing I want someone who's considering Botox for the first time to take away from my experience: You don't have to figure it all out at your first appointment.
Where I Get Botox and Where I Don't
One thing I've learned is that Botox is absolutely NOT one-size-fits-all. I don't walk into my appointment and say, "Do whatever you think I need." I want to understand what we're treating, why we're treating it and what the expected result will be.
Before anything is injected, we talk through the different areas of my face and map out the treatment plan, including the places I want treated and the places I intentionally leave alone.
If you've never had Botox before, I think this is one of the most interesting parts to watch because you can actually see what happens BEFORE the needles come out. It also shows just how customized Botox can be. Two people can walk into an appointment and want completely different things, and that's okay.
Wondering how they decide where Botox goes? Here’s my injector mapping out my face and breaking down exactly where she’ll inject.
Finding the Right Injector Matters
Who you trust with your face is just as important as deciding you want Botox in the first place. Credentials, training and experience obviously matter, but I also think you need someone you feel comfortable talking to.
Personally, I'm terrified of needles and because I'm allergic to SO many things, I'm extremely cautious about putting anything into my body. I ask a lot of questions and need to understand what's happening before I'm comfortable moving forward.
For the past two years, I've been seeing Bridget Dionne, owner of The B Suite Injections in Peabody, Massachusetts. Bridget is a registered nurse and certified aesthetic nurse injector with more than nine years of injecting experience. If you're local, I highly recommend checking her out. I'll link her information here.
Your injector has the expertise, but it's still your face. Finding someone you trust, who listens to your goals and who you're comfortable asking questions is such an important part of the process.
I Haven't Loved Every Botox Result I've Ever Had
I think this is something we need to talk about more. I've had Botox results I've loved, and I've also had results I haven't loved as much.
Botox can look so simple on social media. Someone sits in a chair, gets a few injections, shows their smooth forehead two weeks later and that's the end of the story. My experience hasn't been quite that linear. Sometimes you don't know exactly how you're going to feel about treating a certain area until you've actually done it.
That's why finding your personal Botox preferences can be a bit of a process. You're learning your face, how your muscles respond and what amount of movement makes YOU feel the most like yourself. And if I try something and decide I don't love it, I know Botox isn't permanent. Its effects gradually wear off, and I can make a different decision the next time.
Okay…But What Is Actually Getting Botox Like?
This is the part I know my fellow needle-phobic people may or may not to see. I did film it in the hopes it would help some of you that are more visual learners.
The injections themselves are quick, and yes, this is coming from someone who would very happily go through the rest of her life without seeing another needle. For me, the anticipation is honestly worse than the actual injections.
I filmed the whole injection process so you can see exactly what to expect. But
fair warning, you will see the needle and the actual injections, so if you’re squeamish, you may want to skip this one!
Frequently Asked Questions
I asked my injector some of the most common Botox questions so you can hear the answers straight from an expert. Let's jump into some Q&A!
When Will I See My Botox Results?
Not immediately! This is important because you should not leave your appointment, flip down your car mirror and start wondering why your forehead is still moving.
Botox takes time to work. You may start noticing changes within the first several days, but it will most likely take around two weeks for the full effect to develop. That also means I try not to judge my final result too early. Your face on day two isn't necessarily your face on day fourteen.
How Long Does Botox Last?
Botox isn't permanent. For many people, cosmetic Botox results last roughly three months, although everyone's body and treatment can be different.
Over time, the muscle activity gradually returns and lines and movement begin returning with it. How often you choose to get Botox after that is something you can discuss with your injector.
Does Botox hurt?
Remember when I said I hate needles? I REALLY hate needles. But the injections themselves are very quick, and for me, the anticipation is honestly worse than the actual injections. I personally can hardly even feel the superficial pokes.
Am I going to look frozen?
Botox doesn't automatically mean having zero movement in your face. Treatment can be customized based on the areas being treated and the result you're hoping to achieve, which is why communicating exactly what you want with your injector is so important.
What if I don't like my Botox?
I've been there! Sometimes figuring out exactly what you like takes some trial and error. Maybe you want more movement in one area or realize you prefer not treating another area at all. The good news is that Botox isn't permanent, and its effects gradually wear off.
Can Botox be reversed?
This is an important distinction. Botox can't simply be dissolved or reversed the way certain hyaluronic acid fillers can. If you don't like the effect, you generally have to allow it to gradually wear off.
How do I know how many units I need?
This is something I would NOT get hung up on before your appointment. I started with 16–21 units and now get more than 50, but that doesn't mean everyone should eventually work their way up to 50+ units. It doesn't even mean 50 units is somehow "better" than 20. It's simply what my treatment looks like right now.
The number of units can vary depending on which areas you're treating, your anatomy and muscle activity, and the result you're trying to achieve. Instead of walking into an appointment fixated on a certain number of units, I think it's much more helpful to explain what you want your end result to look like and let a qualified injector help determine an appropriate treatment plan.
How do I choose a Botox injector?
Look at their qualifications, training and experience, but also pay attention to how you feel during your consultation. Do they listen? Do they explain what they're recommending and why? Do you feel comfortable asking questions? Do they understand the result you're hoping for?
What should I tell my injector before getting Botox?
Everything! This isn't the time to leave information out. Your provider should know about your medical history, allergies, medications and supplements, previous injectable treatments and anything else they ask about before treatment.
Because of my allergy history, I'm especially cautious about this. I'd much rather ask one question too many than one question too few.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Botox is a medical treatment, so I don't think we should talk about the fun cosmetic part without also talking about the potential risks. Possible side effects can include temporary redness, swelling, bruising or discomfort around the injection sites. Headaches can occur, and depending on the treatment area, temporary eyelid or eyebrow drooping or unwanted muscle weakness can happen.
There are also rare but potentially serious complications associated with botulinum toxin products. Your provider can explain the potential benefits, risks and alternatives for your individual situation before you decide whether Botox is right for you.
My Biggest Botox Advice
The biggest thing I've learned is that Botox is incredibly personal. What your best friend loves might not be what you love. The amount of movement she wants to keep might be completely different from the amount you want, and that's okay.
If you've been considering Botox but you've been nervous or unsure where to start, start with a consultation. Ask ALL the questions. Talk about what you're hoping to achieve and what you're afraid of, and make sure you feel completely comfortable with the person you're trusting with your face.
You don't have to decide what anyone else's version of "good Botox" looks like. You just have to figure out what feels right for you.
One Last Thing...
I always thought Botox was strictly about relaxing muscles and smoothing lines, and that it didn’t really have an effect on the appearance of your skin itself. But Bridget taught me something I didn’t know: Botox can also make pores appear smaller and give the skin a smoother, almost glass-like finish.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can skip your skincare! A consistent skincare routine is still super important for the overall health and appearance of your skin, but I loved learning that Botox can have this added bonus too.
I had Bridget explain exactly how it works because this was completely new to me — and such a good little Botox tip to end on. Watch her explanation below!
And there you have it — Botox 101, officially complete. Class dismissed! Now go forth and make informed decisions about your forehead. 😂
-KRS
This post shares my personal experience with cosmetic Botox and is for informational purposes only. It isn't medical advice. Botox is a prescription medical treatment with potential risks and isn't appropriate for everyone. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your medical history, potential risks and whether treatment is appropriate for you.
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