You think you want to try Botox—no, you're sure you want to try Botox, but your mind is buzzing with questions, worse-case-scenarios, and a few personal inhibitions you may have. What do you do? Should you just take a leap of faith and schedule the appointment? No. Not at all. You should first become as educated about the procedure as possible, learn how specific circumstances may apply to you, and have all your questions answered. A few obstacles may be standing between you and the more youthful appearance you can achieve with these injections. Here's how to overcome them.
1. A Fear Of Needles
If you've been wanting to talk to a professional about Botox injections, but you're terrified by the thought of needles, you have your work cut out for you. While the fear may seem obscure or trivial to outsiders, phobias are, in fact, very serious situations that may cause even the most rational of individuals to behave in an unexpected manner.
Since you've likely already encountered difficulties when presented with needles at your regular physician's office, it's a good idea to speak with them, first. Depending on how severely your doctor thinks you would be impaired by the possibility of an injection, they could recommend some type of therapy or perhaps a mild, one-time anxiety-reducer. Of course, the decision on how to approach your fear of needles is entirely up to you. On your own, you might try the following:
- Try redirecting your thought process, from fearful to accepting.
- Use mental imaging to ease your nervousness, picturing yourself touching a needle or allowing it to touch you. Gradually work the visualization up to the point where the needle makes contact with your skin.
- Handle a needle, including (safely) touching the metal and bringing the syringe itself close to your arm, then allowing it to rest in position. Your doctor can probably go through this exercise with you.
- Look at pictures of a needle that you may find upsetting, then immediately try to use deep breathing and thought control to keep yourself calm.
- Understand that Botox needles are very thin and can hardly be felt, so you need not worry about intense pain or an otherwise awful experience.
2. Worry Over What Others Will Think
It's only natural to have concern about what your family, friends, and co-workers will think about your new look following Botox injections; however, the difference should be subtle enough so that you'll be asked what you're doing and why you look so good. If people are persistent in asking you or if you think they're talking amongst themselves, so what—this is about you and what leads to your happiness and satisfaction.
With close friends and family, discuss what you're comfortable with and let your new, more youthful look speak for itself. Botox injections are very common, and since most people who get them are pleased, you've no reason to think the procedure will be anything but positive for you.
If you're concerned about the opinions of other people to the extent that you don't want to seek out the injections (even though you really want them), consider having them done while you're on vacation. It takes a few days for the effects of the injections to work their way through your muscles, and if you're away from everyone at the time, you're more apt to be so pleased with your new look that you can't wait to get back and show it off. Botox on holiday is a great way to introduce yourself to the experience, giving you time enough away from others so that they may not immediately notice the slight changes to your skin when you return.
3. Pride In Aging
Some people are adamant about aging naturally, with grace and pride. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with such a philosophy, if you're even entertaining the idea of Botox, you probably don't want the au-natural aging process anyway, deep down. If, on the other hand, you're on the fence, you should give yourself some time to think and make the decision you're going to be most comfortable with. Sit in front of a mirror and be honest about how you feel about how you look. You might also snip a few strips of surgical tape and nip skin back in a few key areas, like around your eyes, under the ears and behind the neck. If you feel like crying when the surgical tape reveals what you used to look like, you're likely ready for Botox injections.
Also, to help make your decision, it's important to speak with other people who've had the injections. You might get a few different opinions, but they should help you choose the path your heart really wants when it comes to aging.
4. Possible Side Effects
Botox, like any other medical element, has the potential for side effects. Because you're undergoing a medical procedure, you need to make sure the professional you get Botox with is highly qualified. In the United States, a person must be certified following a rigorous training program, including the history of Botox, anatomy of the facial muscles, potential side effects, which patients are candidates, and a number of other important matters. Additionally, only certain types of professionals are eligible to seek Botox certification, such as doctors, dentists, physician's assistants, and a few other skilled medical personnel.
Certain conditions may disqualify you as a patient of Botox, such as neuromuscular and cardiovascular disorders or disease. Your personal physician will be able to tell you specifically if you have any underlying condition which could prohibit you from getting Botox treatments, along with answering any other questions you may have.
Whomever you choose to administer your Botox injections will tell you about the possible side effects and how likely (or unlikely) you are to experience any of them:
- Injection site weakness.
- Discoloration and swelling of the injection site.
- Headache.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Mild cold-like symptoms (runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough).
While there are more serious, but infrequent reactions, the most commonly reported issues are mild and bearable. With professional advice and a thorough checkup, you'll be cleared for the injections, advised about any potential complications and monitored following your initial procedure. As with most anything, knowledge is power, and once you know, any fears of possible side effects you may have had should subside.
Although the results of Botox injections may be very public, the decision to get them is very personal. Think it over, consult with a professional, then follow your heart. You can't go wrong with that.
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