When NOT To Get Botox®

Botox® is made from a compound called botulinum toxin, which is derived from a bacteria. There are actually two types of Botox®: “plain” Botox®, which is used for spasm, strabismus (crossed eyes) and several other medical conditions. Botox Cosmetic® is used to reduce muscle activity and, therefore, soften wrinkles, between the eyebrows, in the forehead and around the eyes (crow’s feet). It’s used “off label” in other areas of the face, as well. Both men and women come to my Dayton cosmetic surgery practice for injections of Botox Cosmetic®, which lasts 3-6 months.

Inasmuch as Botox Cosmetic® can make you appear much younger, it’s hard to imagine that there are times in your life when getting injections might not be wise. Well, there are three of them!

1. Don’t Get Botox® Before an Important Event

First, it takes about 3-5 days for results to appear, so it makes no sense to get Botox® the day before your wedding, reunion, or big trip. Secondly, some people bruise, swell or bleed a little when they get Botox®, which looks bad in photos or at important meetings. It’s nice to get your Botox® a week before an important day, to avoid any issues.

2. Don’t Get Botox® If You’re Pregnant

There actually haven’t been any studies about the effect of Botox® on pregnant women or on the babies they carry, but why risk it? If you’re pregnant, you already have a beautiful glow about you—enjoy it! It’s only 9 months!

3. Don’t Get Botox® to Plump or Tighten Loose Skin

Botox® is intended to soften lines by relaxing the muscles beneath, but it won’t tighten skin, plump up the cheeks or “fill in” wrinkles. Many of my Dayton Botox® patients use fillers, such as Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Allo Derm, or fat transfer to plump up the areas where they need volume. These areas include the lips, as well as filling in the wrinkles around the mouth (nasolabial folds) or between the mouth and chin (marionette lines).

One Final Tip About Botox®

Many of my Dayton Botox® patients don’t know this little secret: The sooner you start using Botox® to soften wrinkles, the less you will need over time, and the fewer wrinkles you will ultimately get. That doesn’t mean starting Botox® in college. It means, when you start seeing crow’s feet, or that wrinkle between your brows, it’s time to call me for a consultation about using Botox®. My Dayton cosmetic surgery makes Botox® to order and mixes it exactly to the manufacturer’s instructions: you’ll get the freshest and strongest Botox® available on the market, and you’ll save money, too!