I asked my readers to send me questions about botox last month on instagram. I compiled all of your questions and I’ve enlisted an expert’s help on answering some of them that I couldn’t answer myself. I will share about my personal experience with getting botox for my wedding and where I recommend going if you’re local to Tampa.

I hope this post answers any questions or misconceptions you might have about botox. I know it can be a controversial topic so not many people want to talk about it. I want to share my experience with the process, but ultimately everyone should make their own choices about whether or not this is right for them.

Here are some of my answers to readers questions:

How much does it cost?

I pay around $450 for the amount that I get. It definitely will differ depending on where you go and how many areas you get done.

How much does it hurt?

The psychological aspect for me is always way worse than the actual pain. I am horrible with needles, they terrify me. So the first time I went and actually got botox I was sweating so badly. I pinched my arm the whole time to try and deter the pain. I was shocked at how little it hurt though. I couldn’t even feel it in some places. I could feel it on my temples since it’s really boney there, but still it hardly hurt at all. I promise you if you’ve ever had your eyebrows or mustache threaded that hurts way more!

What is the downtime?

It will look like little mosquito bites on your forehead at first and then after 10-20 minutes no one would be able to tell you had anything done. You could easily get botox on your lunch break and put makeup over it to go back to work the same day. The botox takes about 10 days to take effect so you won’t see any difference when you leave your appointment. You will feel it start to kick in slowly over that first week and a half.

Where do you recommend going in Tampa?

I cannot recommend Coley Simmons at Faces of South Tampa enough! She is a very skilled injector and knew exactly what I was looking for. She was also super honest with my about how many times a twenty-five year old (aka me) should be getting botox. Her answer was maximum twice a year! You can find her instagram here. (This is in no way sponsored!)

How often do you go?

I’ve only gotten it a couple times. I made my first appointment when I was 24 and then I chickened out because I am terrified of needles. I knew I wanted to get it before my wedding though so I went about a year later to Coley and got botox for the first time. I wanted to address my “angry elevens” which are the lines in between my eyebrows and a few forehead wrinkles. My makeup was creasing in the lines and I could see them when my face was at rest so I wanted them gone. I went about a month before my wedding and it lasted about 3 months for me before I started seeing the lines come back a little bit. I didn’t get it again for 5 months and I am going to wait 5 months from that appointment to go back before a wedding I’m in this summer.

Have you had fillers?

Nope! I’ve only had botox. I’ve considered getting filler, but everyone I’ve talked to says it really hurts so I’m too chicken. Maybe when I get older, but right now I don’t feel like I personally need it so I can’t justify the cost.

Below you will find Coley’s answers to reader questions. Coley is a Certified Physician’s Assistant at Faces of South Tampa.

What’s the best way to research where to go?

Word of mouth is a great start! A plastic surgery office or aesthetic office that provides high volume in injections is always a great place to consider. Remember to get a consult and make sure you are comfortable with the provider prior to treatment.

What should I ask a potential provider?

Always get a feel for cost and expected outcome. You want the experience to be as painless as possible. So investigate the providers credentials, how often they inject, and how they would address your concerns. Every provider practices differently.

What should I be paying per unit?

Typically $12-14 per unit on average. Some offer per area as well, $199-249. You may find it for cheap, $10/unit but warning, you don’t pay for the product, you pay for the result.

How do I communicate with the provider what I want?

The provider should be able to properly explain what specific muscles do while at rest. This will better explain what to expect when treating specific areas. First start by explaining what bothers you, then listen to how botox will affect those areas.

Botox vs. dysport?

Both are a type of botulinum type A used to relax the muscles. Main differences are Dysport kicks in faster, only 3-5 typically. Botox can take up to 2 weeks. Some studies show Dysport does not last as long and also can diffuse from exact location.

What is the longevity?

Typically Botox lasts 3-4 months on average.

How often should I get it done?

Recommendation is once it wears off, 3-4 months. But ultimately it’s personal preference. Some people don’t like when it wears off at all, others let it wear off for a month or 2 before getting back in.

How many units does Sara get?

Typically around 35-40 to treat frown lines(11’s), forehead, and brow lift with softening of crows feet.

Is it really preventative?

Yes, to an extent. If you can’t make lines or wrinkles now, you will not have lines or wrinkles in the future. But don’t fret if you have to take a few years off due to pregnancy/breastfeeding, when you start back up the lines will typically disappear again on first treatment.