The fear of pain is powerful and one of the most common reasons women will put off an elective, cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, most modern aesthetic techniques are designed with patient comfort in mind. Whether this means premixing a dermal filler with lidocaine (a local anesthetic), the application of a topical numbing cream before treatment, or simply an experienced, skilled provider; few patients leave their cosmetic surgeon’s office overwhelmed by a surprisingly painful procedure. However, if the thought of several fine needles being pushed into your sensitive facial features still gives you the willies, take a minute to find out if Botox injections actually hurt.
Each Botox session is made up of several small injections of botulinum toxin type A. the number of injections will depend on the area(s) being treated. Some require one or two injections, while others need a few more. The needle itself is tiny, gently gliding quickly in and out of the targeted location, applying a small amount of Botox. Each injection can cause a mild pinch or sting, often compared to that of an insect bite.
The level of discomfort will depend on your pain tolerance, as well as the treatment area: those along the forehead and brows may go almost unnoticed, while Botox for Crow’s Feet may pinch enough to make your eyes water. Luckily, the injections fall very low on the pain scale. The sting of each injection will diminish after only a minute or two, and patients feel little to no discomfort after their Botox procedure. That being said, every patient is unique, so talk to your cosmetic surgeon about any fears you still have about pain during your Botox session.
Tips for First Time Botox Patients:
- Only put your appearance in the hands of a board certified plastic surgeon and an experienced Botox provider.
- Be transparent with your provider. Disclose all medications and herbal supplements you are taking, any illnesses or medical issues, if you are pregnant or breast feeding, and be frank about the results you are hoping to achieve.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions before getting Botox injections; being properly informed can significantly calm your nerves.
- After your injections, do not rub or massage the treatment area for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid exercise for the first 24-48 hours to help minimize swelling.
- No facial peels or exfoliating treatments for the first 24 hours.
- If anything surprising or unusual should occur during your recovery, reach out to your provider right away.
- Relax; in one to two weeks you will be enjoying the beautiful results from your Botox treatment!
Houston’s Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique is here to answer your Botox Cosmetic questions and get you started towards a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance. Schedule a free Botox consultation by calling our office at 281.407.9549. Prefer a patient coordinator reach out to you? Fill out our online Contact Us form and Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique will get back to you right away.