If you are thinking about getting botox, curious what it's like or want to know more about why I decided to get botox at 23, then this post is for you! I wanted to share more about how many units I get, the cost, the maintenance and answer some questions I've gotten! Here is a little before and after so you can see the difference!
The left is before I got botox and the right was 1 week after my first time.
WHY I CHOSE TO GET BOTOX
First off let me say that nobody NEEDS botox. I chose to get botox on my crows feet because I hated how deep they were and I knew they were turn into really bad wrinkles later on. I hated them to the point where I used to blur them out of photos or put my hair over my face. I was worried that botox was going to make me frozen, I thought it was really expensive and I thought I should just wait until I'm older. But the truth is I've started deciding that if something makes me happier and more confident then I need to invest in myself, and do it sooner rather than later. (plus it is way less than I thought it would be!)
HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN GETTING BOTOX?
I started last year! I went in August of 2020 for my first time.
BEFORE
FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON
First, find someone you trust. I've heard of so many stories where the nurse will suggest where you need it and try and give you more and more. RED FLAG. My girl Kelley has NEVER once said I needed more and often suggests less to me because she knows I still want movement and to not be completely frozen at 24. (but to each their own, if you want to be frozen- that's totally okay too!) I found Kelly through a friend. I loved how natural her face/lips looked from Kelly so I felt better trying someone when I had a referral.
WHERE DO I GO?
I go to Kelly at House of Preservation on Fizhugh! She is the best. You can check out her instagram for some before and afters here. I also love that she does a quick follow up appointment a week or 2 after to see how you are responding to it, seeing if you need more and making sure it all looks good.
WHERE DO I GET IT?
I only get my crows feet right now. I think eventually I will do my forehead but right now I don't want it.
AFTER
HOW MANY UNITS DO I GET?
I get 6 and 6 on each eye. I used to get 8 but now I only need 6! Also- each needle is not a unit. normally 6 units for me is like 3ish pokes on each side.
HOW DO I KNOW HOW MANY UNITS TO GET?
I think this is when finding the right person matters SO much. I told Kelly I wanted to start less and then if I wanted more I could get more during my follow up. Originally she was thinking 10 and 10 but I told her I still wanted movement- I smile A LOT and wanted to be able to still see emotions in my eyes (if that makes sense?). I ended up getting 8 and 8 and it was great, I responded really well and had great results so then from there we did even less!
BEFORE
DOES IT HURT?
No! If you have ever gotten a facial and gotten an extraction, it feels like that in my opinion. Lip filler is different, I've heard that hurts.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It ranges from $10-$16 a unit. I pay $12 a unit! So it's $144 total for me.
HOW TO GET DISCOUNTS
When you go to get botox SIGN UP FOR ALLE REWARDS! I got $20 off my last appointment just because of points I had. It's completely free and pints just go towards $$ off. Plus they have great promotions. National Botox Day I think they did buy $50 gift card, get a $50 gift card, so essentially thats like 4 free units if you bought in advance! They also have promos and stuff. It's totally legit and its for ALL botox, not specific to a certain place.
AFTER
HOW OFTEN DO I GET IT DONE?
I normally get it done every 3-4 months. It's normally on schedule with my hair cuts (lol) You can obviously go more often or less depending on how much you get and when you start seeing the lines coming back. Because I smile and squint I use those muscles a lot so mine come back quicker than other areas.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Okay, so I don't know anything technical but basically it freezes you so you won't have that movement. Because those wrinkles turn into deeper fine lines...
SHOULD I GET IT NOW OR WAIT UNTIL I'M OLDER?
NOW! If you don't want those lines to settle then get it now. I imagine it's much harder to go backwards and trying to smooth them out once they've set in. I had really bad wrinkles when I smiled or moved my face but they weren't there when my face was relaxed. I knew eventually they would be set in and it would be harder to get rid of them.
AFTER
DO I HAVE LIP FILLERS?
Nope! Not my jam. People love them and I have tons of friends who have gotten their lips done- personally just not something I care about!
Overall- if you are self conscious about something and can fix it- I say DO IT! At first I felt super weird about sharing that I got botox because I was scared people would think I was fake or judge me thinking I was way too young. But honestly it is SO normal these days and WHO CARES?! Most people don't even know I get it and are shocked when I show them my before and afters. I love smiling so much more, I feel so much more confident and love how it looks and so for those reasons I will continue to get it!