With topical anesthetic, a Botox® procedure can be virtually painless. Even without a numbing agent, pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. Injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen.
What does botox feel like as it's happening? Patients claim that it “barely hurts” and many find that the results are well worth any discomfort, even the point of getting it done repeatedly. When the injection is taking place, you will feel a slight stinging at the injection site.
Some patients report feeling a stinging sensation, but the BOTOX® material itself is not painful. Some side effects can include swelling, redness, and pain or tenderness at the injection site, but these are mild and subside within a few hours or days.
Mild Pain, Swelling and Bruising
Most often, the reactions of Botox and fillers happen around the injection site. Mild pain, swelling and bruising are common after Botox injections. Even the smallest needle can cause bruising or swelling.
Naturally hitting bone, striking sensitive nerves and nicking underlying blood vessels with hematoma formation from poor technique or lack of a good appreciation of the anatomy of the regions being injected are other potential causes of pain or discomfort.
Who Should Not Get Botox? People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a neurological disease shouldn't use Botox. Because Botox doesn't work for all wrinkles, check with a doctor first. You shouldn't have Botox shots if you're allergic to cow's milk protein.
Don't lay down for the first 4 hours after having Botox
You might be sore or a little tired after having Botox injected, but you should avoid laying down for the first four hours after the injections. Both bending and laying down could spread the toxin and lead to bruising at the injection site.
While numbing cream is not necessary, patients may experience less discomfort during treatment of sensitive areas if they numb prior to coming in.
Immediately following your Botox injections, you may feel slight residual stinging from the injection. You may also notice a small bump at the injection site, a bit like a mosquito bite. No worries, these bumps will fade quickly.
Patients must be 18 years or older to be able to get Botox. However, most experts agree that in most cases, patients at a good age for preventative Botox treatment are those in their mid-late 20s and early 30s who are prone to wrinkles.
With topical anesthetic, a Botox® procedure can be virtually painless. Even without a numbing agent, pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. Injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen.
With Botox, “we're limiting the muscle contractions that lead to folds, so yes, it can feel funny in the beginning, because you're not able to move muscles that would normally contract on command,” he explains.
After Cosmetic Botox, Be Sure to Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping on your stomach or side can cause Botox to migrate to other areas of your face. This can result in uneven results or even bruising. Sleeping on your back, however, minimizes the risk of it migrating and ensures it stays where it is supposed to.
There is some discomfort associated with both procedures
Fillers cause more discomfort than Botox injections, and there is a slight risk of swelling and bruising after the procedure. However, both procedures are relatively safe.
Why Do You Need To Avoid It? The risk of bruising following Botox is increased when the body or face gets too hot. In addition to avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and other similar places, do not take a hot bath or shower for at least 24 hours after having this treatment.
In rare cases, patients develop flu-like symptoms after their injections, and it is possible to feel fatigued. This is simply your body adapting to Botox. It is more common with patients who are new to Botox and after repeated treatments, it's not likely you'll encounter this particular side effect again.
Don't lie down for at least 3 hours after receiving Botox. Don't go into any saunas, hot tubs, or tanning booths for at least 4 hours. This helps to prevent bruising, because heat can raise your blood pressure. Otherwise, you can resume your regular activities right after getting Botox.
You can expect results to last around 4 months, but don't be surprised if you notice a long term decrease in wrinkles. The relaxation of those muscles allows them to weaken and resist movement even between treatments. If you're looking to lift the brow area, Botox can help without going under the knife.
There are no long-term or life-threatening adverse effects related to botulinum toxin treatment for any cosmetic indications. Moreover, the risk of possible complications can be reduced by means of a thorough analysis of the patient's medical history and the use of the appropriate dose and technique for the injection.
The first thing you'll notice immediately after Botox injections are little bumps and dots of blood that look just like mosquito bites. These go away in 20 minutes to half an hour. But you won't notice the skin-smoothing effects between three to five days (and up to two weeks).
In general, you can see the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days after an injection. Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says most patients will see results within 10 to 14 days but should wait the full 14 days to see the maximum results.
Should I Expect Any Downtime? There is very little to no downtime associated with Botox injections, which feel like a pinch or subtle burning sensation. You are typically able to resume your daily routine right after treatment. It is often recommended that patients avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours.