Botox is possibly one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. And contrary to what you might think, it’s not used only by celebrities and reality TV stars to kill a wrinkle or two. Some of us mere mortals also get Botox once in a blue moon. I decided to do a Botox review because some people still don’t understand the mechanism behind this wrinkle-erasing toxin (yes, it’s a Toxin – Botulinum Toxin Type A). I’ve actually come across folks who think Botox is injected into the lips to make them bigger! That’s just sad, but that’s a story for another day.

Back to my Botox review. I had the honor of having one of Dubai’s best plastic surgeons, Dr. Francesco Russo, do the Botox injections. He is Italian trained and board-certified, with more than 10 years of experience in making people more beautiful.

Botox Consultation

To have any cosmetic treatment/procedure, you have to fit into certain criteria. This means you have to be not just a candidate, but a good candidate for the said treatment. Why? According to Dr. Russo, some people are just not built up for any kind of elective procedures. For instance, one of the boxes you have to tick is having realistic expectations. “Some people expect to leave the treatment center looking like their favorite celeb, which is just impossible!” Says Dr. Russo.

Anyway, I had a 15 minutes consultation with the good doctor where I had to frown and squint so that he could see where the said wrinkles were most likely to appear. In the end, I was a great candidate. My purpose of this Botox review was for maintenance purposes, meaning, keeping those wrinkles in check for as long as possible.

The Treatment

This is not my first rodeo, I’ve had Botox at least twice before in the last couple of years, so I knew what to expect. Most people would freak out knowing that they’re about to get injections on their forehead; not once or twice but multiple times. For me, I only freaked out the first time I had Botox; but this was the first time I was having Botox without a medical vibrator, which is a cosmetic injectable pain reliever.

Before starting the treatment, he marked the points of injection, and we were well on our way. I braced myself for the sting of the needle, and to my surprise, I barely felt it. He has a way of applying pressure on the target area, which I think numbs it. I’ll have to ask him next time (if there’s a next time).

In less than five minutes, Dr. Russo was done with me. I know, it’s very fast, and I think that’s why it’s quite popular. I had a couple of tiny bumps on my forehead (at the injection sites), but they disappeared in a couple of minutes. So I was good to go.

My Take From This Botox Review, and What You Should Know

If you are a newbie when it comes to Botox, you need to do your research on the best cosmetic surgery clinic in your area, as well as the plastic surgeon, who has to be board-certified (possibly).
Cheap is very expensive. According to Dr. Russo, some people can be attracted to cheaper prices at back-door facilities, while in reality, they are putting their lives at risk.
Don’t allow anyone who is not a plastic surgeon to do any kind of cosmetic injectables on you. It’s risky!
After my Botox review, Dr. Russo instructed me not to bend forwards for at least 4 hours. Why? To avoid the risk of the Botulinum Toxin from going down into my eyes and making them lazy, aka paralyzing them.
Again, Botox is not for lips augmentation! When injected, it paralyzes and relaxes the muscles of the said area, hence the absence of fine lines and wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are for volume restoration like lips augmentation.
You don’t need to be a housewife somewhere to get a dose of Botox.
Men also get Botox to relax their ‘hard’ faces, so it’s not only a women’s thing.
If you are pregnant or lactating, stay away from Botox.
The Botox injections are not painful if you have a high pain tolerance. But if you don’t, you can ask for a numbing cream beforehand. Nobody will hold it against you.
Botox injections last for 4 – 6 months depending on your body and lifestyle.
How does it feel? Well, it doesn’t feel like anything.
If you do facials frequently, including laser treatments on your face, wait for at least 24 hours after the Botox treatment.

Finally…

I hope my Botox Review has covered most of your frequently asked questions about the cosmetic injectable. If you have anything you’re not sure about or you need to know regarding the same, feel free to reach out.