Can I ask some really basic questions about botox?

[CleanShirtLaundry]

I want to get my 11s done.

They're not terrible but a bit noticeable and I'm quite self conscious. I'm mid-30s.
I'd like them smoothed out a little bit but I'm not after a weird, unmoving, plastic-y looking forehead.

Is there anything specific I should ask for?
Do I have to specify dose or concentration? I assume the person administering will decide on that. But are there any red flags, any dosage I shouldn't exceed?

Once its done, will I have marks where the needles have gone in?
If so, how long will they take to fade?
How long before you can see the effect of the botox? Or rather, before the 11s look a bit smoother?

Does it hurt?
How long will it take?

Can I sleep on my side after I've had it done?
Can I sleep on my front?
Can I wear a helmet which comes down to mid-forehead?
Can I frown? As in, am I allowed to? Or should I avoid it?
Can I go to the gym the same day or the next day?
What would happen if I got punched in the face?

How long before I can have my eyebrows done? My beautician sort of bunches my skin between my brows to get stray uni-brow hairs.

Thanks for being patient. I have been asking AI. But I'd really value the perspectives of actual women.

BTW - Ignore my weird droopy left eye. Its the remnants of an injury.

choose where to go wisely and they should be able to answer all of your questions
My lady does an appointment pre treatment to discuss what I wanted.

You can’t lie down for 4 hours afterwards, no exercise for 24 (or could be 48) hours, no drinking for the same period, but other than that, life carries on. Was also told not to touch or rub my face.
can’t help you re eyebrows but whoever does it will be able to advise.
I had 2 small marks under my eye, but no one noticed - not even my DH!

it takes a few days to work, and can start to work unevenly at the start - this is normal and you’ll have an appointment around 10 days to check it all and top it up if needs be.
The first lot doesn't last long, but subsequent treatments last longer.

I noticed improvement on mine about 2 weeks in. It didn’t hurt, a tiny scratch although a couple were a bit sharper, but it’s over very quickly.

I get my 11’s done - most of your technical questions should be answered by the practitioner. It hurts a little - brief, sharp, scratch - like most injections! But worth it I think - I first had it done when I was feeling very sad and old and it made me feel better about myself! Getting your 11’s done is usually very subtle - your eyebrows can still move up and down - you just can’t frown! I usually see effects after a week or so, but they should include a top up/check up appointment after 10 days or so as mentioned above. You have to try and stay upright for about 4 hours after and I was told to frown as much as possible for the first hour or so to get the Botox to settle in the right place.

Thank you so much. I just need to take the plunge. The place I would go has a skin aesthetics consultation option so I should do that.

I get mine done (48) and have done for a while. Definitely as pp mentioned get a good recommendation. I have mine done by a dentist who also specialises in botox and fillers, she’s brilliant.

You may not get bruising, I tend not to but she gave me a bit further down which did give me some slight bruising afterwards but it wasn’t too noticeable! You can use arnica gel which helps and they should put some on afterwards. You won’t see any marks although it could be slightly red for a few hours. They’ll also put bumping cream on so you’ll feel nothing.

You have to be careful about putting makeup on afterwards but only for a day.

It’s pretty fast acting and you notice a difference in a few days with it peaking after about a week.

I do tend to get a headache for a bit following this too as the muscles relax.

Doesn't hurt. There will be pin pricks at the injection sites which may bleed briefly but within 30 mins you would not know anything had been done. The injections are absolutely tiny. It takes about 5 mins. My lady draws on my face where my lines are first with a white pencil.

It's you can't lean forward afterwards. I believe you can lie down. So wouldn't be doing anything like Pilates or weightlifting the same day. Like PP I also get a headache as it feels a bit like my face structure is rearranging itself a bit. (This is why I go, so I don't frown at people constantly).

Sleeping is fine. Face expressions are fine.

A week to see the full effect but often much sooner. As you shouldn't get a free follow up appointment less is more first time as you can always add but not take away.

It fades really gently. One day you realise your lines are back, although the more you go the less pronounced they become, or they can't get worse.

Doing just the 11s means it will be hard for you to get a plastic forehead look but just make sure they know you want a very natural look.

Not sure about eyebrows as I don't have these done.

I get mine done and go about my day as normal. Ive never had the frozen forehead look. It takes a week before I notice any difference and I barely even notice the injections.
Ever had blood taken at the doctors? Its not as painful as that.

Is there anything specific I should ask for? - they should advise but tell them you want to fix your 11s

Do I have to specify dose or concentration? - no, they will do that for you

Once its done, will I have marks where the needles have gone in? - yes
If so, how long will they take to fade? - about 24 hours

How long before you can see the effect of the botox? Or rather, before the 11s look a bit smoother? - about 5 days (could be sooner) and can take up to 2 weeks, you should be asked to come back in 2 weeks so they can see what your dosage achieved and if you need a top up

Does it hurt? - it can and it sounds like broken glass in your forehead! that's my experience!

How long will it take? - about half an hour

Can I sleep on my side after I've had it done? you should sleep on your back overnight, if possible

Can I sleep on my front? - no

Can I wear a helmet which comes down to mid-forehead? - not for the first 24 hours

Can I frown? As in, am I allowed to? Or should I avoid it? - yes, moving the face actually speeds up the botox and helps it settle so I've been told - best to ask

Can I go to the gym the same day or the next day? - no, wait 24 hours

What would happen if I got punched in the face? - it would hurt! Botox could migrate but doubtful - some of the wait 24 hours are precautions more than anything to worry about - Botox works very quickly but some things help avoid ptosis (eyelid dropping)

How long before I can have my eyebrows done? My beautician sort of bunches my skin between my brows to get stray uni-brow hairs. - probably up to a week but ask for sure

Thank you so much for all these insights. I'm being a massive wimp about this but botox just feels so "big" to me. Not sure why. I bleach my hair, I dye and wax my brows, I had laser eye surgery.

Having insights from actual people is so helpful!

To find somewhere, I used “find a practitioner” on the Tweakments website. I’m so worried by the obviously unqualified people who advertise on our local Facebook pages.

I've had it twice and wish I’d asked how long it should last for. I was really disappointed with how long mine lasted (normal movement back in 9-10 weeks) but hadn’t been told what to expect so didn’t feel I could contact the practitioner. I’ll be trying it again and this time will ask.

I'd sooner have botox than anything waxed. Waxing is much more painful.

Botox is a walk in the park for someone who’s had eye surgery! The importance is finding the right practitioner. Botox has to be prescribed for you so you should have an appointment before it’s ordered. Look for someone who has a real understanding of how facial muscles work. This way you can avoid heavy brows or spock brow!

Agree with what everyone else has said. To reassure you having your elevens done is very unlikely to cause any adverse effects. It’s literally a couple of injections.
I remember the feeling before I first went (18 years ago) of oh god what if this messes up my face. I came out thinking oh actually that was nothing 🤣
I also expected everyone to notice and no one did! (Except me).

How long would you say the first dose in your 11s lasts?

You should choose a dentist they know face muscles best they’ll answer all these questions

it hurts a little bit as the prick happens that’s it.
it looks like you have spots for under an hour after apt.
you can’t lie down flat for about four hours so don’t get a late evening apt if you like early nights!

I felt the same but now it’s just routine

@CleanShirtLaundry probably 3-5 months but it’s not just a switch on/off effect. It takes around two weeks to have the full effect then starts to wear off at around the three month mark. I find that when it’s wearing off I can’t scrunch my 11s in the morning but I can at night. That might be just me!
I’ve been getting Botox in my 11s for about 20 years and you really can’t go wrong with it. Very quick and simple!