There is no hard and fast rule about when to start Botox. Although many people start getting preventive treatments in their 20s and 30s, there’s no one “magic” age when you should start getting it. Instead, you should focus on your skin and its issues. Once you start noticing fine lines, that’s when you should consider Botox.
Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment.
What is the difference between Botox and Xeomin?
Like Botox, Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A, which is approved to treat wrinkles. Botox and Xeomin work by the exact same mechanism, which is blocking the signals from nerves to muscles, causing the muscles to relax and wrinkles to smooth out.
The primary difference between the products is that Botox has an accompanying, inactive protein, while Xeomin does not have additives. Xeomin is a purified form of the neurotoxin; it's manufactured in such a way that it removes accessory proteins from the active ingredient.
The benefit to you? Xeomin causes fewer allergic reactions and because of the lack of protein is able to be shipped and stored without refrigeration which allows us to sell Xeomin at a lower price.
What should I expect during the procedure?
Your first Botox appointment will likely be quick and easy. Typically, the entire treatment is completed in 20 minutes or less. Here’s a detailed list of what to expect from beginning to end of the treatment:
You will have a discussion with your board certified nurse practitioner that includes your concerns, how much Botox you’d like to get and in which areas
We will carefully identify and mark the areas to be treated
A mild cleanser will be applied to these areas
If you’re concerned about discomfort, you can request ice or a numbing cream to numb the targeted area(s)
A narrow micro-needle will be used to inject Botox directly into the facial muscles
You may have redness and swelling immediately after the procedure, this usually resolves quickly and you will be back to normal in 45-60 minutes
How long do the results last?
The average patient notices the full effect in 2 weeks and results generally last 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which it lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
Are there any contraindications?
Please let us know prior to your treatment if any of the following apply to you as they may be contraindications to Botox, we will discuss your individual situation as these do not always mean you can not get Botox:
have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last four months
have received injections of botulinum toxin, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) in the past, be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received
have recently received an antibiotic by injection
take muscle relaxants
take anti-platelets (aspirin-like products) or anti-coagulants (blood thinners)
If you have any muscle or nerve conditions, or have had swallowing or breathing problems in the past
If you have had surgery on your face, or plan to
If you are pregnant, nursing, or plan to become pregnant
have received microblading in the last 2 weeks