Trying Botox for the first time? Here's what you can really expect

Almost everyone asks the same two questions: Does it hurt, and will I end up looking frozen? The answer to both is reassuring. But we’ll also be honest with you about what a treatment won’t do for you.

What Botulinum Toxin Actually Does

Botulinum toxin temporarily relaxes the muscle into which it is injected. That muscle contracts less forcefully, causing the skin above it to remain smoother. So it doesn’t fill anything in, and it doesn’t change your face: it simply reduces the force of the movement that causes the line to deepen.

• You can see dynamic lines when you frown, smile, or raise your eyebrows. This is where it works best.
• Static lines are also present at rest. They become less pronounced, but usually do not disappear completely. In such cases, a combination with skin improvement is often more logical.

That difference determines whether you'll be satisfied with the results. Anyone who comes in with deep expression lines and expects them to disappear completely will be disappointed. We'd rather tell you that up front than after the fact.

The areas we treat most often

• Frown lines → the vertical lines between your eyebrows, usually the first area where people start to notice them
• Forehead → the horizontal lines, almost always combined with the frown line for a natural result
• Crow's feet → the fine lines next to your eyes when you smile
• Eyebrow Lift → a subtle lift of the outer corners, making your eyes look more open
• Jaw muscles → when grinding or clenching teeth: less tension in the jaw, fewer headaches, and a slimmer jawline

Not everyone needs all the zones. During the first treatment, we usually start with one or two zones so you can take your time to see how your face reacts.

When will you see results?

Not right away, and that surprises a lot of people. You’ll usually notice the first change after 3 to 5 days, and the full results will be visible after about two weeks. That’s why we schedule a follow-up appointment after two weeks: then we can see how your muscles have responded and make any necessary adjustments.

How long the effects last varies from person to person and by area. On average, we’re talking about 3 to 4 months. With the first treatment, it’s sometimes a little shorter, because your muscles are still working at full strength. If you continue treatment consistently, many people find that the lines don’t return as quickly.

Will my face look stiff and expressionless?

That depends entirely on the dosage and the application. The stiff-looking faces you see online are the result of using too much product in the wrong place, not the treatment itself.

We’re starting off cautiously on purpose: it’s better to use a little too little, because we can always add more during the follow-up appointment in two weeks. We can’t do the opposite. The goal is for you to still be able to frown and smile as usual, just not as deeply.

How does it feel, and what can you do afterward?

The injections are administered with very fine needles and take just a few seconds per area. Most people describe it as a brief pinprick. The entire appointment lasts 15 to 30 minutes. For the first few hours afterward:

• Stay upright for about 4 hours—so don't lie flat or take a nap
• Do not rub or massage the treated area
• Skip intense exercise, the sauna, and the tanning bed that day
• A small bump or red spot usually goes away within an hour

You can wear makeup as usual the next day. We prefer not to schedule your first treatment the day before a wedding or a photo shoot: give yourself two weeks.

Here's what your journey will look like

• Intake → We observe your facial expressions in motion and assess whether this is the right treatment for your lines
• Treatment → 15 to 30 minutes, then just go about your day as usual
• After two weeks → review and make minor adjustments if necessary
• After 3 to 4 months → repeat when you notice the movement returning

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