The word “Botox” is not rare to come by these days. Almost anything that has to do with cosmetic treatments is labeled as Botox and it has become an umbrella term. But for many people, Botox remains a mystery as to what it is and how it works.
Which is a real shame considering how much good it has done for countless patients across the country. Botox isn’t only common for people to get on a regular basis in order to maintain their youthful appearance, but is also frequently used as a little “pick me up” for special occasions, such as weddings.
However, being that Botox can be intimidating to people who have never had the treatment before, it can be especially challenging to decide on whether or not Botox is a good idea right before your wedding.
This is why we got the help of Dr. Schwarzburg, a seasoned board certified physician of the medical aesthetics art who works at Manhattan’s MiracleFace MedSpa.
He has all the answers for us, from the average Botox cost for wrinkles to how the treatment actually works and what it does. It is thanks to his wonderful insight that we hope we can enlighten you on all the great things possible with Botox as he did with us, to ease your nerves before your wedding.
I: So let’s just get straight to the point: how does Botox work? A lot of people think that it just puffs up the face and lips. Is this the case and if not then what is the secret behind its effectiveness and why should someone get it for their wedding?
D: Absolutely not. Botox does not puff up the face, nor does it have any effects on the size of your lips, and it does not make your face look plastic. These are all common misconceptions that people have about Botox because they either hear rumors or read about some celebrity gossip on the news.
The truth is that Botox works on a much deeper level than the skin. It does have an effect on the skin, but not directly. Botox numbs muscles. The muscles under our faces are constantly contracting and this is what causes wrinkles. When the muscles are numbed thanks to the Botox compound the skin above smooths itself out.
A lot of people get Botox before their weddings to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and to smooth out their skin for amazing wedding photos. It will also restrict muscle contractions, which will help prevent further wrinkles from forming.
I: And are these results fully visible? Like how can your patients tell if there are any improvements?
D: Obviously they can tell because they see the difference in front of their naked eyes. In some cases the results are a little more subtle, like don’t expect the wrinkles to outright disappear.
But one way or another there is going to be a pretty sizable difference in the wrinkles before and after the Botox injections. They will become a lot fainter, they will not be anywhere near as distracting, and in general, the face will have a more energetic and vibrant appearance.
I: How soon before a wedding would you suggest getting Botox?
D: This depends on whether or not you have gotten Botox injections before. On average, I would recommend getting your Botox injections two weeks before your wedding day. However, if you have never had Botox before, you may want to give it a try 4 – 5 months prior, just to see how you respond to the treatment.
This way you will know exactly how many units are right for you. If you haven’t tried Botox before and you have two weeks until your wedding day, I would say go with an average or less than average number of units, to make sure you don’t “overdo it,” since you don’t know how strong an effect it will have on you.
I: What about the pricing? Obviously, everyone is going to charge differently. But weddings can be expensive, so what can you recommend for potential patients to do in order to find a good deal on Botox and one that suits their financial needs?
D: First rule of thumb: do not chase prices. It is better to pay a little extra for an experienced practitioner than to pay slightly less and take your chances with someone who is not as seasoned. When it comes to your body and personal health, prices should not be a priority.
As long as you look for practitioners that are trusted by the local community and have a great, clean record of successful treatments, you should have no problem finding something that fits your budget. Some places actually offer wedding packages for bachelorette parties and such. You can always ask the clinic if this is something that they offer as well.
I: How often should patients get treated? Is one session enough before a wedding?
D: This varies from person to person, as well as the type of compound being used and how much of it is injected. Typically, the effects of Botox last three to four months. So that is how often you should be getting treated. It is highly recommended to give your body enough time in between each treatment so it has a chance to recover before the next treatment.
In fact, this goes for most cosmetic treatments out there. Botox is safe but by overdoing it, you are just putting yourself at unnecessary risk. Keep it scheduled, do not get more Botox than you need to, and all the results should look fantastic.
I: What is something that patients treated with Botox should avoid? Is there anything to be concerned about at the wedding?
D: This depends on whether we are speaking about it before the treatment or afterward. Before the treatment patients are advised to avoid any other cosmetic procedures. This is to ensure that the body and especially the skin are in top condition when the Botox injections are administered.
Again this goes back to not overwhelming the body. After the treatment, there are some other precautions that patients must take. Avoiding extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, is advised. Alcohol consumption is restricted for the first two days after the procedure.
And as with before the treatment, it is also advised to avoid other cosmetic treatments immediately after Botox. There are also more basic restrictions, like touching and feeling around the treated area too much. Just give your skin the rest it needs to recuperate and everything should be fine.
In regards to a wedding, you should get your Botox treatment about two weeks before your wedding to make sure that there is plenty of time for the results to show effect, since they usually take 3 – 5 days to kick in.
This also means that there are no precautions that you will need to take by the time your wedding day comes around, since all the aftercare is really only within the first 3 days after your treatment.
I: For people who are a little nervous about getting treated with Botox; what are some words of comfort that you would like to pass on to make it a little easier for them to come to a decision?
D: You’re in good hands. There is very little to worry about with Botox. Practitioners need to be highly qualified and trained before they step foot into the clinic. We take safety standards very seriously and the safety of our patients is our highest priority.
If the word of your practitioner does not give you the confidence you need to go along with the treatment, then consider the fact that the FDA has approved Botox for use all the way back in the early 2000s. And since then there have been very few cases recorded of anything going wrong during a Botox procedure.
Getting injected in the face is hardly a comforting thought for anyone, of course. But if you are working with an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner, you should not be worried about any problems arising and the treatment should go by without any difficulties.