I Tried Botox for the First Time- My experience before and after

In my last blog post, I teased that I would be sharing my recent experience getting Botox and Dysport. I was a little nervous about writing this post because of the judgment I may receive. However, since this is a platform where I give you a glimpse into my everyday life, I decided to publish the blog post.

I first want to share that I am not a medical professional. Anything shared in this blog post is based on my experience. Speak to an experienced licensed dermatologist or nurse practitioner before going through with the procedure.

Dysport and Botox are two FDA-approved neuromodulators that temporarily prevent muscle movement in the face and are effective in eliminating facial wrinkles temporarily. The best way to think about it is the Pepsi vs. Coke analogy. They are both the same product but made by different companies and taste slightly different. The dosing applied also varies from person to person with these injectables.

I’ve been curious about getting Botox for a while. The idea was brought up three years ago when I had a gingivectomy dental procedure to shorten my excessive gum line. They cut my gum line to make it shorter so my teeth would be more visible. My periodontist recommended that I consider getting Botox because my gummy smile was juvenile.

After three years, I finally went forward with trying Injectables. I was extremely nervous about getting injectables. I had this misconception that women of color, specifically Black women, didn’t get Botox or Dysport. To my surprise, more women of color are trying Botox. This Allure article talks about the rise of black women getting injectables.

I did my research before booking my appointment and read several articles about injectables. In my research, I learned that side effects are rare. It’s also important to find an experienced dermatologist or nurse practitioner to complete the procedure. I booked my appointment after reading about Kendall’s experience with getting injectables at SkinPharm in Atlanta.

I booked my appointment at SkinPharm with Clare. She’s the best Nurse Practitioner in Atlanta in this field. Several influencers in Atlanta also work with Clare. She’s got an excellent bedside manner and is so nice! Also, an Alabama fan which was a plus! She answered all my questions before the procedure and after.

During my first appointment, I went in to reduce the wrinkles on my forehead. I did this as a preventative measure.

As I get older, skincare and anti-aging have become a priority for me. I turned 36 at the end of October. I am very grateful for the good genes that I’ve inherited and that I’m aging gracefully. I’m often complimented for looking much younger than 36.

In my late 20s, I started seeing deep horizontal wrinkles on my forehead. I began to become insecure about them. I wanted to try Injectables to reduce their visibility. Getting Botox and Dysport early on in the aging process can actually serve as a preventative and delay wrinkles from forming. Going to the right professional is important because they will discuss your goals. They make sure you still look natural after getting injectables done.

Clare recommended that I move forward with Dysport to smooth out my forehead Wrinkles and the “11” lines between eyebrows. Clare cleaned the area where she administered the Dysport and explained what she was doing before moving forward. I had to make a few facial expressions so she could see my forehead lines in motion.

The procedure took less than five minutes and didn’t hurt at all. I got 18 units of Dysport on my forehead. And for clarification for the newbies out there, 18 units do not equal 18 syringes. A unit is the measurement of the amount of Botox or Dysport that's injected into the body.

I made a rookie move and booked my first appointment at 5:15 pm. When getting injectables, you aren’t allowed to lay down for four to six hours. This is because lying down too soon increases the chances of the Botox spreading to different areas of the face and causing rare side effects.

For the next 24 to 48 hours after my procedure, I was encouraged to avoid exercising, taking hot showers, sleeping on my stomach, wearing hats, and exfoliating. You also should wait to get facials or vaccines until two weeks after your appointment.

After a few days, the results started to kick in, but I wouldn't see the full results for two weeks. I love how the Dysport reduced my forehead lines. Getting this done has been a game-changer in my confidence. I love the results. Dysport typically lasts four to six months. I will have it done again once the fine lines return.

During my first appointment, Clare and I talked about other treatments. I mentioned my gummy smile.

I loved how my forehead looked after the Dysport kicked in and was ready to move forward with trying Botox on my gummy smile. Nine days ago, I had my second appointment at SkinPharm with Clare. Typically a lip flip is performed to fix a gummy smile. However, due to how my smile pulled up, Clare decided to move forward with injecting four units of Botox right where my nostrils meet my noise. And it worked! Today is day ten and I’m so happy with how the results turned out.

Q&A

Did it hurt?

No, not at all. I felt a slight pinch from the needle, but it wasn't painful.

How many units did you get?

18 units on my forehead and four above my smile line.

Who should administer Botox?

A licensed dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or nurse practitioner. Do your research. Ask a ton of questions. Read reviews, look at their Instagram to see their work.

How much did it cost?

Prices vary depending on where you go. At Skin Pharm, it’s the same price for Botox and Dysport. $13 a unit. One appointment can range from $50 to $1000, depending on what you get done.

Will I do it again?

Absolutely. I’m not sure when but I’ll be back at some point in 2022.

Did I experience any side effects? I experienced slight itching on my forehead around days two and three. But that’s a part of the healing process.

Interested in trying Botox or Dysport? I highly recommend booking an appointment at SkinPharm. The entire team is so talented and experienced in Derm Med. They don’t just do injectables. They also do spa facial treatments and have a line of medical-grade skin care products. If you book an appointment, mention that I referred you. They have locations in Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas and are expected to open in Charlotte soon.

Have questions about my experience? Comment below and I’ll try to answer your questions.

In my next blog post, I'll be sharing some of my favorite beauty and skincare resources. Stay tuned!