You’re out with friends at your favorite brunch spot, mimosa in hand, and someone cracks a joke that has you laughing until you’re almost crying. Mid-laugh, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the window, and notice that those laugh lines are hanging around longer than they used to.
It’s not that you don’t love your face (you do, and you should!), but something inside is yelling at you that you’re ready to smooth, refine, and turn up the glow. That’s the moment it hits you: it’s time to finally find out what all the Botox buzz is about.
At ThrIVe Wheeling, we believe stepping into the world of injectables shouldn’t feel intimidating; it should feel like you’re leveling up your self-confidence game. This beginner’s guide to Botox near St. Clairsville is your invitation to step into that world.
In this guide, we’ll be covering everything from what it feels like to how soon you’ll be turning heads, so you know exactly what’s waiting for you on the other side.
What Is Botox?
It’s common to use Botox as a catch-all term for wrinkle relaxers; after all, there were an estimated 7.4 million Botox injections done in 2018 alone. But Botox is actually a specific brand of wrinkle relaxers.
Also known as a “neuromodulator,” Botox works to both prevent and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles. When injected, Botox near St. Clairsville works to block nerve signals sent to your muscles.
This helps to relax the targeted muscles, preventing them from contracting. By relaxing specific muscles under the skin, the skin on top can naturally replenish, smoothing dynamic wrinkles that may have formed from repeated movement, while ensuring that you still look like you.
How does Botox work?
The line-reducing, wrinkle-smoothing power of Botox comes from what it’s made of. Botox is made of a 100% purified form of botulinum toxin serotype A. Though toxin is in the name, Botox is far from toxic. In small doses, this treatment is completely safe and effective.
Before becoming a household name for aesthetic treatments, Botox was FDA-approved for medical use back in 1991. Typically, these injections were used to treat misalignment of the eyes or jaw clenching.
As an unexpected benefit, patients found that wrinkles and fine lines around their injection sites smoothed out soon after their treatment. This benefit paved the way for the aesthetic uses of Botox, and in 2002, it was FDA-approved again, this time for addressing lines and wrinkles.
At ThrIVe Wheeling, we use Botox near St. Clairsville to treat:
- Crow’s feet (lines around the eyes when you smile big)
- Elevens (lines between the brows when you frown)
- Forehead lines
- Bunny nose (lines across the nose and alongside when you crinkle your nose up)
- Dimpled chin (golf ball-like dimples when you close your mouth tightly)
- Neck bands
- Down-turned mouth (vertical bands in the neck when you say “E”)
- Masseters (used to slim and relax the jaw muscles at sides of the face)
- AND MORE!
Should you join the Botox club?
If you’re a guy or a gal looking to address fine lines and wrinkles around your forehead, eyes, and mouth, you’re likely a great candidate for Botox. This wrinkle relaxer is a great option for those who are:
- At least 18 years old
- Not pregnant or nursing
- Desire to look less sad, tired, or mad
At ThrIVe Wheeling, we always start our Botox process with a one-on-one consultation to ensure that this treatment will meet your specific needs and goals. Depending on what you’re looking to improve, your provider may recommend dermal fillers or lip filler alongside your Botox injections for a full facial refresh.
Though rare, some people are allergic to certain ingredients in Botox. For those who have had a reaction to Botox in the past, we offer Dysport and Xeomin—the naked injectable—as an alternative. It still has the same wrinkle-relaxing power as Botox, just a different formula.
Common First-Timer Questions, Answered
Now that you’ve got the basics of the ‘Tox down, it’s time to take a closer look at the juicy details. We know that feeling confident starts with knowing exactly what the process is like, and knowing what’s going on beneath the skin after your first injection.
This is the inside scoop on everything you really need to know about Botox, from our team straight to you.
Why do I get these lines and wrinkles in the first place?
Fine lines and wrinkles are the result of skin aging. Whether from a natural reduction in collagen or excess time spent under the sun during our afternoon walks, skin can age for several different reasons. On the face, a prime culprit is muscle movements.
When we smile, frown, furrow our brows, or squint, our muscles contract and relax repeatedly. Over the years, these contractions add up, causing the skin to stretch and fold in high-movement areas like around the mouth, eyes, or forehead.
These are called dynamic wrinkles, and Botox is especially good at reducing their appearance. By temporarily relaxing the underlying muscles that cause these wrinkles, the wrinkles can fade. Botox works to prevent new dynamic wrinkles from deepening or forming, as the muscles are relaxed in the months following an injection.
Does it hurt?
We hear this a lot at ThrIVe, and we get it. It’s natural to worry a little about whether a Botox injection will hurt, and we want to set the record straight.
Botox near St. Clairsville is placed using ultra-fine needles. With any injection, there will be some sensation, but because the needles used in the treatment are so small, there is very minor discomfort. Tiny needles. Friendly nurses!
Most clients describe it as feeling like a tiny pinch. Since our injectors have years of experience administering Botox, the procedure will go quickly, and it’ll be finished before you even know it.
Will Botox leave me looking frozen?
We know that there are some freaky results out there, and completely understand worrying about looking “frozen” after a Botox injection. However, this just highlights the importance of choosing the right provider, as the technique can make a world of difference.
Botox is just as much of an art as it is a science. At ThrIVe, we don’t “set it and forget it” when it comes to placing our injections. Our team will thoroughly assess your face, concerns, and where your skin would best benefit from a little Botox TLC.
This assessment lets us place your Botox injections perfectly, allowing for results that don’t leave you flash frozen like a microwave dinner. You’ll still be able to express yourself, but the lines and wrinkles in the injection area will look much softer, and you’ll appear more youthful.
Wrinkle-Free and Loving It: Your ThrIVe Botox Experience
Ready to schedule your first Botox appointment, but curious what goes down once you get to ThrIVe? No worries, we’re spilling the tea on the entire experience. Here’s what you can expect from Botox near St. Clairsville, from your initial consultation to your flawless results.
The Consultation
When it comes to Botox, placement is everything. That’s why we start every Botox treatment like a new-client consultation. Whether it’s your first injection or you’ve got some experience under your belt, your provider will perform a full facial assessment before starting any injections.
Our face, jawline, and neck change over time, which means the best placements for Botox will change alongside them. Once your provider has completed your assessment, they’ll listen to your concerns, and then you’ll move on to the next step in the Botox process.
You can opt to have the consultation and schedule your injections at a later time, or schedule both the consultation and injections for the same day.
Before Your Injections…
There are a few steps we recommend you take in the days before your Botox appointment to help ensure the best results possible from the injections. Make sure you:
- Avoid aspirin and certain dietary supplements, as these can increase your risk of bleeding or bruising.
- Ideally, come to your appointment with a freshly washed face, free of makeup, lotions, and perfumes.
The Botox Process
The injection process for Botox near St. Clairsville is quick and pretty painless, meaning you’ll be in and out of the treatment chair in about 30 minutes. After you arrive at ThrIVe Wheeling, your provider will show you to a private and comfortable treatment room.
From there, they will use a fine skin-pen to mark the pre-determined injection points based on the assessment from your consultation. A small, ultra-fine needle is then used to inject the Botox into the targeted muscles.
Since Botox doesn’t require any anesthesia, you’re free to resume your daily, normal routine right after the appointment.
After Your Injections…
Just like before your injections, there are some aftercare steps you should take to ensure your Botox settles properly. Following your appointment, make sure you:
- Avoid lying down, and keep your head upright for at least 4 hours after your appointment.
- For the next 4 hours, avoid strenuous exercises or activities that can cause facial flushing (using a hot tub, sunbathing, hot baths, etc.).
We’ll have you schedule a follow-up appointment for roughly 2 weeks after your first set of injections. This allows your provider to check in on your progress and make any adjustments needed to bring out your best skin possible.
The Results
The results of Botox near St. Clairsville aren’t immediate, as the injection takes some time to settle and relax the targeted muscles. Usually, the results are gradual, and you’ll notice subtle changes in your facial movements in the treatment area.
Though some people will notice a difference in their skin in as little as 48 hours, most can expect to see the fully visible results 7 to 14 days after their first injection. Once you reach this point, the treated area should look smoother and refreshed, with a notable reduction in dynamic wrinkles.
The duration that Botox lasts will vary from person to person, as each of our bodies will metabolize the injections differently. Generally, you can expect to enjoy fewer lines and wrinkles for about 3 months.
We recommend you schedule a touch-up appointment, as the more you use Botox, the longer it lasts. Over time, Botox trains your muscles to rest and relax, helping your skin stay smooth for longer after each subsequent injection.
Book Your Botox Moment at ThrIVe
Starting your Botox journey shouldn’t feel clinical or complicated; it should be exciting, empowering, and all about you. If it’s your first time with Botox, now you know it’s not about changing who you are; it’s about giving your natural beauty a smooth, confident edge.
At ThrIVe Wheeling, we love helping first-timers take that step with confidence, knowing they’ll walk out feeling just as natural and radiant as they imagined. If you’ve been curious about Botox near St. Clairsville, now’s the perfect time to explore it firsthand for yourself.
Book your appointment at ThrIVe asap. Your glow-up is waiting, and we can’t wait to help you fall in love with your reflection all over again. For a touch of extra pampering, pair your Botox service with a Facial, a ZO Glow Up, or an Aerolase Laser treatment!
