All About Botox: Everything You Need to Know

Here at Travis Shaw, MD, we get a lot of questions about Botox. Everyone wants to know, “When should I start Botox treatments?” Others ask, “Does Botox hurt?” And of course, the big question: “How much does Botox cost?” Today, we have all of the answers to your most frequently asked questions about Botox from our Master Injector, Whitney Mills, FNP-C.

When Should I Start Botox Treatments?

Botox is FDA-approved for patients 18 and older. Most patients start using Botox around age 30, but many begin in their mid-20s. At Travis Shaw, MD, we believe it’s possible to benefit from preventative Botox treatments by starting even earlier.

Whitney says, “If you’re seeing fine lines and wrinkles and want to prevent them from getting worse, it’s a good time to go ahead and start Botox treatments.”

When Do You Start Seeing Wrinkles?

You may be wondering, “Why am I seeing wrinkles so early?” We can assure you that it’s perfectly natural! Whitney tells us, “As we lose collagen and elastin with age, we start to see wrinkles form because the skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to.”

Fine lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging, and they can start as early as age 25, especially around the eyes. But don’t worry — that means you’ve probably smiled and laughed a lot!

How to Prevent Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The good is news is, you can prevent wrinkles and fine lines from getting deeper. Whitney says, “The expressions we make start to leave their mark across our foreheads or around our eyes, but Botox works by stopping the muscle in the treatment area from contracting, which then stops the skin over top of the muscle from folding. When you’re not able to make those lines every day, they’re never going to get but so deep. This concept of prevention is why it’s common for people to start getting Botox in their 20s or 30s.”

How Long Does Botox Take?

Your appointment time will vary. For our established patients, a Botox treatment takes just 10-15 minutes. New patients can expect their appointment to be 30-45 minutes for the consultation and the actual treatment.

Does Botox Hurt?

This is a big question, of course! The pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. The injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen!

We do recommend avoiding excessive alcohol and blood thinning medications BEFORE your appointment to minimize the possibility of bruising around the injection site.

How Long Does Botox Last?

In general, the effects of Botox last for 12-16 weeks, but this can vary among patients!

What Should I Do After My Treatment?

Botox is minimally invasive, so you can resume your normal activities shortly after treatment! We do recommend the following:

  • No rubbing or massaging the injected area for about 4 hours after treatment. This means no facials!
  • No strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
  • Stay upright for 4 hours after treatment.
  • Avoid tightly fitting headwear.

How Much Does Botox Cost?

Unfortunately, there’s no quick answer for this one! At Travis Shaw, MD, we will go over pricing during your consultation because it does vary depending on how many units you’ll need to fill in those folds Whitney talked about earlier! There you have it — everything you need to know about Botox! If you’re ready to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, text or call us at (804) 775-4559 to schedule your consultation and first treatment!