Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country for a reason. With minimal downtime and substantial results, many patients love getting this noninvasive procedure to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, change the shape of their jawline, and more.
That being said, Botox isn’t right for everyone. Depending on your aesthetic goals and the status of your wrinkles, you may be better off with another med spa procedure or a new skincare regimen.
Read on to see whether Botox makes sense for your situation.
What exactly does Botox do?
Botox temporarily relaxes the muscles near the injection site, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and any overexertion of the muscles. It’s usually used to reduce the appearance of frown lines, brow furrows, crow’s feet, bunny lines, and in other areas where patients wish to reduce the visible signs of aging.
Botox can also be used to change the shape of the jawline. Many people who unconsciously grind their teeth or clench their jaws overexert and enlarge their masseter muscle, which can create a square, more masculine jawline or chubby cheek appearance. Patients who dislike this aspect of their appearance often use Botox to reduce teeth grinding, reduce the masseter size, and create a sleeker face shape.
Botox can also be used to treat medical issues such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), eyelid spasms, and migraines.
At what age should you start getting Botox?
There’s no particular age you “should” start getting Botox. It depends on your body and your aesthetic goals. Many people who care about their appearance choose to focus on skincare rather than injections, while others start using Botox or a combination of treatments to achieve their aesthetic goals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, or later.
For patients who want to prevent wrinkles as much as possible, we often recommend starting treatment in your early 20s before the dynamic lines begin to progress to static lines (i.e. when the lines that show up when you smile or frown start to stick around after you relax your expression).
Once patients hit their 40s and 50s, wrinkles often become more firmly set in the skin, and Botox is used more to soften existing lines than to get rid of them. Patients who hope to completely get rid of lines in their 50s or later years often pursue additional treatment options along with Botox, such as microneedling and peels. However, these age ranges do not apply to everyone.
Bottom line: There’s no single best age to start Botox treatment if you choose this treatment course, and it’s never “too early” or “too late” to start. If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, we encourage you to talk to a medical provider about your options.
Do you have to keep getting Botox once you start?
Botox isn’t permanent, so you will need to keep getting maintenance treatments if you want to maintain your results. Most people find that their results last about three to four months, although your facial muscles may train themselves to contract less over time and extend out the period of time between treatment sessions.
If you stop getting Botox, the lines you’ve been preventing or reducing will get deeper over time. The benefits of your prior Botox treatments will eventually disappear. However, you can still restart your Botox treatments later if you want to achieve a smoother face again.
Who should not get Botox?
Botox is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neurological disease, or are allergic to any of the ingredients (including cow’s milk protein).
Regardless of which cosmetic injections or procedures you choose, you should always talk to a qualified medical provider first. Only a provider who is aware of your medical history and aesthetic goals can tell you if Botox is a safe and effective option for you.
What to look for when getting Botox
For safety reasons, you should only get Botox from a qualified medical provider such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or doctor. While Botox is generally low-risk, it can be dangerous if administered incorrectly. Additionally, if your provider is not well versed in the facial anatomy, the Botox may be injected into the wrong muscles and create an undesirable result. Ideally, your provider should have plenty of experience administering the type of Botox treatments you seek.
Before your injection, you should always have a consultation with the provider so they can check that the procedure is safe for someone with your medical history. A good provider will also take the time to ask detailed questions about your goals.
Red flags and cautions when choosing a med spa for Botox
To reduce your risk of ending up with an inexperienced provider, scam, or different results than you want, we recommend avoiding Botox providers who:
- Do not have a medical degree such as a DNP, PA, or MD
- Are unwilling to show you before and after photos
- Offer services at a much lower rate than other providers in your area
- Offer services out of their home or will come to your home
Getting Botox in Orange County
The average cost of Botox in Orange County
Botox is usually priced per unit, so the cost of treatment depends largely on how much you need. You can generally expect to pay at least $12-16 per unit for Botox injections from an experienced, appropriately qualified provider in the Orange County area. At Beauty Boost Med Spa, we currently charge $12 per unit of Botox.
At a typical rate, a Botox forehead and frown line treatment may cost about $300-$350 total. A jaw-slimming treatment for someone with very large masseter muscles may cost $600 or more, while a small treatment above the upper lip may cost under $100.
If a provider is willing to charge extremely low prices, be suspicious. They may not be qualified or have any experience, and they may be using counterfeit product.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with an Allergan Top 50 med spa
Beauty Boost Med Spa has some of the most qualified and experienced Botox injectors in Orange County. We were recently named one of Allergan’s Top 50 Med Spas in the U.S. and Top 100 Injectors nationwide, and we provide Botox injections at a reasonable price.
Each treatment begins with an initial consultation in which an experienced medical provider will examine your face and ask detailed questions about your desired outcomes. The whole process typically lasts about 30 minutes. Contact us today to book an appointment or request a complimentary consultation.
