Thinking about Botox but not sure where to start? You’re not alone — it’s one of the most common treatments we offer, and naturally, patients have lots of questions before their first appointment. Should you start in your 20s or wait until later? Does it really hurt? And how much does it cost?
At Travis Shaw, MD, our goal is to make sure you feel informed and confident before making any decision. That’s why we sat down with our Master Injector, Whitney Mills, FNP-C, to answer the questions we hear most often. Whether you’re curious about how Botox works, how long it lasts, or what to expect after treatment, we’ve got you covered with clear, honest answers.
What Is Botox?
Botox is an FDA-approved injectable treatment made from a purified protein (botulinum toxin type A). While that may sound intimidating, it’s been safely used in medicine for more than 20 years.
Botox works by temporarily relaxing targeted muscles. When the muscle stops contracting, the skin above it doesn’t fold as deeply, which softens existing wrinkles and helps prevent new ones from forming.
But Botox isn’t just for cosmetic use. It’s also approved for medical concerns like migraines, TMJ, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), and muscle spasms.
What Areas Can Botox Treat?
Cosmetically, Botox is most often used on areas of the face where repeated expressions cause lines over time, such as:
- Forehead lines (horizontal creases from raising the brows)
- Frown lines (the “11s” between the brows)
- Crow’s feet (lines around the outer eyes)
- Bunny lines (small creases on the nose)
- Lip flip (softening lip lines and subtly rolling the lip outward)
- Chin dimpling (the “orange peel” look on the chin)
- Jawline/masseter muscles (to slim the jaw or reduce clenching/grinding)
- Neck bands (vertical cords that become more prominent with age)
Medically, Botox can also be used to treat migraines, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and TMJ pain.
When Should I Start Botox Treatments?
This is one of the questions we hear the most! Botox is FDA-approved for adults 18 and older. Most people begin in their late 20s or early 30s, but it really depends on your goals.
Corrective Botox: If you’re in your 30s or beyond and notice lines that stick around even when your face is at rest, Botox helps smooth them out.
Preventative Botox: If you’re in your 20s and starting to see faint lines when you smile or frown, Botox can stop them from becoming permanent.
Whitney says, “If you’re seeing fine lines and wrinkles and want to prevent them from getting worse, it’s a good time to go ahead and start Botox treatments.”
When Do You Start Seeing Wrinkles?
Fine lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging, and they can start as early as age 25, especially around the eyes. But don’t worry — that means you’ve probably smiled and laughed a lot!
We can assure you that wrinkles are perfectly natural! Whitney tells us, “As we lose collagen and elastin with age, we start to see wrinkles form because the skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to.”
How to Prevent Fine Lines and Wrinkles
The good is news is, you can prevent wrinkles and fine lines from getting deeper. Whitney says, “The expressions we make start to leave their mark across our foreheads or around our eyes, but Botox works by stopping the muscle in the treatment area from contracting, which then stops the skin over top of the muscle from folding. When you’re not able to make those lines every day, they’re never going to get but so deep. This concept of prevention is why it’s common for people to start getting Botox in their 20s or 30s.”
What a Typical Botox Treatment Looks Like
How Many Units of Botox do I Need?
This is a tricky one to answer without seeing you in person, because it depends on your muscle strength and what area we’re treating. As a general guide:
- Forehead: 10–30 units
- Frown lines: 15–25 units
- Crow’s feet: 5–15 units per side
- Lip flip: 4–6 units
- Masseter (jawline): 25–50 units per side
How Long Does Botox Take?
Your appointment time will vary. For our established patients, a Botox treatment takes just 10-15 minutes. New patients can expect their appointment to be 30-45 minutes for the consultation and the actual treatment.
Does Botox Hurt?
The pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. The injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen!
We do recommend avoiding excessive alcohol and blood thinning medications BEFORE your appointment to minimize the possibility of bruising around the injection site.
What Should I Do After My Treatment?
Botox is minimally invasive, so you can resume your normal activities shortly after treatment! We do recommend the following:
- No rubbing or massaging the injected area for about 4 hours after treatment. This means no facials!
- No strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- Stay upright for 4 hours after treatment.
- Avoid tightly fitting headwear.
How Often Should I Get Botox?
Most of our patients return every 3–4 months to maintain a smooth, refreshed look. Over time, with regular treatments, you may find that you don’t need it quite as often because your muscles have learned to stay more relaxed.
How Long Does Botox Last?
On average, Botox results last about 12–16 weeks. Some patients notice theirs stretching closer to 5–6 months, while others may metabolize it a little faster.
Factors like your metabolism, activity level, and the area treated all play a role. The good news? With consistent treatments, many patients notice their results last longer over time.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
Unfortunately, there’s no quick answer for this one! At Travis Shaw, MD, we will go over pricing during your consultation because it does vary depending on how many units you’ll need to fill in those folds Whitney talked about earlier! There you have it — everything you need to know about Botox! If you’re ready to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, text or call us at (804) 775-4559 to schedule your consultation and first treatment!
