First time getting Botox? Start here.
A short guide on what to ask, what to expect, what conservative dosing means, and how to tell a good injector from a bad one. Written by us, free, no newsletter. Drop your email and we'll send the full version.
What's inside.
What to ask the injector.
Three things matter most: what's your dosing philosophy, who screens for contraindications, and what's your follow-up policy? A good injector answers each in two sentences without defensiveness. A great one volunteers a fourth answer about how they handle a patient who isn't happy with the result.
Flat rate vs per-unit.
Flat rate means the price is the price — one number for Botox, one for Jeuveau, one per area for filler. Per-unit pricing means you're effectively negotiating against the injector's incentive to use more units. We list flat-rate providers first because the math is honest. If you're getting per-unit pricing, ask for an estimate at the consult before they touch you.
The actual appointment.
Twenty minutes, give or take. The injector will look at your face at rest and in motion. They'll explain dosing — how many units, where, and why. The injection itself takes five minutes. Most patients describe it as a quick pinch. You'll leave with very small dots that fade within an hour.
The result timeline.
Botox doesn't kick in for 7 to 10 days. Don't panic on day 3 thinking it didn't work — give it the full two weeks before you judge. Results peak around day 14 and last roughly three to four months. You'll come back when you notice the lines starting to return, typically the same window each cycle.
Less, not more.
A good injector dose first-time patients conservatively. You can add more at a free touch-up; you can't take it away. The frozen look is overdosing, not the drug. Done right, no one will know you had anything done — they'll just think you slept well. If your injector is pushing for higher doses, get a second opinion.
Pregnant, nursing, major event soon.
Pregnant or nursing: no. A major event in the next two weeks: also no — give yourself the timeline to know how you'll look at peak. Otherwise, almost always fine. A good injector will tell you no on the day if anything else is off.
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