Botox 101

/ Botox Treatment, Skin Care / By

Have you ever wondered about getting Botox treatment? Up until recently, I hadn’t given it much thought. My beauty approach has always been to look natural but glamorous by focusing on accentuating the beautiful features you have and not over-doing your makeup.

So when my good friend and nurse practitioner, Amy Yankolonis, spoke about Botox at a recent routine wellness visit, I was surprised that she actually recommended me to try it. After watching myself on video, my husband and I noticed how much I would furrow my forehead. I mean, I knew I did it, but not THAT much. I wanted to try and not make that expression so often but I realized it was near impossible to stop. That’s why I asked Amy about Botox to potentially smooth the wrinkles in my forehead. 

Botox Background

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), also known as, botulinum toxin type A, is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks the nerve activity in your muscles. Did you know that Botox can treat several medical concerns including muscle spasms, stiffness, bladder issues, eye spasms, chronic headaches and even underarm sweating?

Botox cosmetics is used to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles. When injected into the facial muscles, it temporarily reduces the muscle activity and as a result, lines look visibly smoother. 

My Experience

After learning more about Botox, what it could do for me and that I was a good candidate for treatment, I decided to take the plunge and give it a try (I actually filmed the entire process, check it out by clicking here). I went into my appointment with a clean, makeup-free face. Amy explained to me which forehead muscles she would be injecting and showed me the needle and chart for a visual. The needle was tiny and I hardly felt a thing! She had me make a surprise face so she knew where to inject. My favorite part was, the entire process was fast and painless! 

So as of Saturday, June 17, I’m three days out from getting the Botox injections and I am enjoying my results so far. Treatment typically doesn’t start to take effect until day 3 and full effects will occur on/around day 14. I’ll be sure to provide an update at my two-week mark. 

Cost

The cost for one treatment is $150 and your first follow up would occur two weeks after. I received my treatment at Hampstead Primary Care.

Thanks for reading, everyone! Be sure to ask your doctor, before getting any treatment, if Botox would be beneficial to you. Amy is a wonderful nurse practitioner and resource to learn more about the process if you’re local to Hampstead, MD.

xoxo, Megan