Since the U.S. FDA approved Allergan's Botox in April 2002 for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines between the brows), it has become the go-to for anyone wanting to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions such as frowning, squinting, smiling, and the like.

Botox inhibits the muscle's ability to fully contract. The lack of muscle contraction prevents lines and wrinkles from forming and/or deepening on the face. This smoothens your skin until the effect wears off.

1. THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG TIMES TO BEGIN.

While it may appear that people are opting for Botox and other similar treatments at a younger age, there is no right or wrong time to begin treatment. Nobody requires Botox or any other cosmetic procedure. Neurotoxin injections, on the other hand, have the potential to be preventative if you are interested and in a position to begin early.

We are extremely fortunate to live in a world where we can prevent many ageing processes that previous generations could not. Botox is a fantastic tool to use in small amounts to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place.

Patients in their twenties and thirties will, of course, require less product than those in their forties and fifties, but everyone will see results. Patients who already have lines require more units to reduce movement and frequently require adjunct procedures such as peels, fillers, and microneedling to remove the etched lines.

2. FIRST-TIME CONSULTATION IS ESSENTIAL.

As with any procedure, finding a dermatologist who makes you feel at ease and, in this case, matches your aesthetic is critical. Booking a consultation with a dermatologist will allow you to get a sense of their work and bedside manner, as well as ensure that whatever procedure you wish to undergo is appropriate for you.

3. YOU CAN ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR SHOTS DURING YOUR LUNCH BREAK.

Your first appointment, which includes a consultation as well as injections, may last up to an hour. This includes time spent completing new-patient paperwork, having 'before' photos taken, and consulting with your doctor. The injections themselves are only about 10 minutes long. After the procedure, you can ice your forehead for five minutes to reduce swelling and bruising before returning to work.

4. BE CONCERNED ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS AND ALLERGIES.

Botox is well tolerated by the vast majority of the population for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes; however, diseases such as Lambert-Eaton Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and a few others are contraindicated. Allergies and medications should also be considered.

While your daily supplement regimen will not prevent you from getting injected, it may help you recover. Some supplements have the potential to thin the blood, increasing the risk of bruising. This is not very common, but it does happen on occasion.

Although there are no medication contraindications to receiving Botox, aspirin and supplements such as fish oil, ginseng, garlic, and ginkgo biloba can increase a patient's risk of bleeding and, thus, bruising. Lay off them before coming in for your appointment for the most seamless experience.

5. EXERCISE PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

You may or may not be aware that Botox arrives in powder form at your provider's office, where it is mixed with saline and refrigerated before injection. Because the combined formula is liquid, there is a theoretical risk that the solution will spread or move away from the intended location.

You will be advised not to exercise for the rest of the day and to try to stay upright for three hours, which means not lying down or bending over.

6. VIBRATION ANESTHESIA.

We have a lattice of very superficial sensory nerves that detect anything that touches the skin. Using vibration during injection fools the sensory nerves in the surrounding area into thinking they don't know where the needle is coming from, reducing discomfort significantly. You may not feel it at all at times.

7. DO NOT EXPECT IMMEDIATE RESULTS.

It is critical to understand that Botox results do not appear immediately. In fact, for the first three or four days, you'll be wondering if your doctor did anything at all. But, by the fifth day, you'll be wondering why you didn't try this sooner. You'll feel the full effect of your injections two weeks after treatment.

Call 9930993600 to book your consultation with Dr Niketa Sonavane

Best Skin Specialist in Mumbai