“I want to age gracefully but still look and feel great, so… what about Botox?!”

I hear this question a lot.

And especially from people who take good care of their skin, their physical health, and their mental health.

Of course, with all the pictures we see on the internet, you may think that Botox (or any of the 4 approved so-called “neuromodulators”) will make you look “unnatural” or “frozen”. But in fact, if done properly, anyone can keep a natural & expressive look with Botox while still softening signs of ageing.  When I see clients for treatment with neuromodulator, my goal is to help them look & feel like the better version of themselves. Truly, when we look better & feel more confident in our skin, we show up in the world differently – whether that is with our family & friends, at work or just strolling through the park.

Basic Botox 101:

Botox is the name of just one of the 4 neuromodulator products used in North America. (The others are Dysport, Nuceiva and Xeomin.) Just like “Kleenex” or “Band-Aids” have become generic terms that we use for all facial tissues or adhesive bandages, doctors and clients alike commonly use the term “Botox” to refer to any of these neuromodulators.  

These neuromodulators are all derived from a strong bacterial toxin.  But don’t worry – we use tiny amounts which have been meticulously purified & processed so, neuromodulators do not pose a problem to the human body. In fact, Botox has been in use safely all around the world for over three decades.

Botox works by temporarily inhibiting the signals between the nerve and the muscle so that the muscle cannot contract as hard thus decreasing expression lines and wrinkles. This effect usually last around 3-6 months.

3 Common Botox Questions:

A: No! You can absolutely have Botox to soften wrinkles and still look natural. Many people you know may have Botox & you don’t even know!

A: No!  The Botox wears off gradually so your expression lines will just gradually reappear. But your skin will always be better off for not having had wrinkles for a few months. So, chances are you’ll look better if you decide to stop getting Botox!

A: No! Botox is not a drug that changes brain chemistry so it cannot cause addiction. You may end up loving your new look though!

3 Interesting Botox Benefits:

Both by shrinking pore size and by preventing wrinkles from getting etched into your skin or, if they already are static, reducing excessive movement so that your skin can heal the lines form the inside out.

Numerous studies support this finding and the reasons seem to go beyond the mere concept of “look better, feel better”.

If you clench or grind you teeth, if you have excessive sweating or if you have horrible migraines… these are just a few of the other conditions Botox could help you with.

3 Tips to Getting the Best Botox Result:

Make sure he/she is well-trained, experienced & confident. Perhaps check out some of their photos or references. Ask them questions. And more importantly, don’t hesitate to shop around – it is important to find someone that you truly feel comfortable with.

Make sure that you tell your injector what you are looking for. And make sure that they explain things to you as well. When you each understand one another, this is when the best results are achieved.

I often recommend that my new clients start off with a smaller dose and then come back for more. This allows them to get used to the effects of Botox more gradually and it allows me to learn about their unique facial muscles and craft a better treatment plan.