The Low Down on Botox in Chicago
Hi friends! Happy Friday! If you follow my Insta stories, then you probably know that I recently tried out Botox in Chicago for the first time. I had so many questions about the process, so I decided to put it all together in one place for you.
Why I Wanted Botox
Above are my before pictures. Take a close look at my forehead. You will see some fine lines that were setting in after years of having a very expressive forehead. The second photo is much more obvious. When I squint, I have deep lines that form in between my eyebrows. I have noticed, on one particular side, that line was getting deeper and creating a lasting wrinkle that didn’t go away after I stopped squinting – and that’s just no good. Let’s be wrinkle free forever, am I right??
I considered Botox for almost two years before I finally decided to pull the trigger. I did some research on local Med Spas, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, etc. and in the end, decided to partner up with Lapiel Laser Center. Lapiel is a local Chicago Med Spa that focuses on laser hair removal, Botox and other skincare procedures (like silk peels and chemical peels). Some people have a skewed opinion about Med Spas and say not to trust them. I would have to wholeheartedly disagree with that statement. Catalina, the Nurse Practitioner, at Lapiel made me feel so comfortable and was willing to answer every single one of my questions before starting anything. She explained the process and walked me through each step, telling me what she was doing and why. You can see the whole procedure live under the “Beauty” highlights on my Instagram page.
So back to the beginning, I was seriously terrified of getting Botox for the first time. The thought of needles poking my forehead made me want to pass out. I have a very low pain tolerance and couldn’t stand knowing that I would willingly induce pain upon myself. A little dramatic right? I soon discovered, yes, this was me being WAY dramatic.
I scheduled my Botox appointment with Lapiel in Chicago and arrived with a pocketful of questions. Below I’ve put together a little Q&A that I believe a first time Botoxer would appreciate. Scroll to the very end to see my after pictures. I am loving my results and will definitely continue getting Botox in Chicago.
Botox Q&A
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Honestly, not at all. It feels like the tiniest pinch. I can’t even say that it feels like someone poking you with a needle, because that prick hurts more than Botox (reminder: super low pain tolerance over here and I was totally fine!).
Q: How many units do I need?
A: This totally depends on what areas you are focused on and how much you want or need. My biggest focus was my forehead. I wanted to eliminate my fine lines and prevent any future ones from appearing. Based on that information, Catalina started me out with 25 units, distributed throughout my forehead and in between my eyebrows.
Q: How long does it last?
A: This also depends on the person. Catalina said that Botox can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Fingers crossed that mine sticks around for the latter part of that.
Q: How long does it take for the Botox to kick in?
A: Also depends. Mine started working just about 3 days later. The average person sees results in 5-7 days.
Q: How long is the recovery time after Botox?
A: In my opinion, there really is no recovery time. I went out the night after I got Botox (on a Saturday) and to work on Monday and looked exactly the same. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the day you get Botox, you cannot lay down, lean over or sweat for at least 4 hours. Also, sometimes there is slight bruising from the injections. I had one tiny bruise and that was all – which I easily covered up with concealer when necessary.
Below are a few Q&A directly from the expert, Catalina:
Q: What exactly it Botox?
Catalina: BOTOX is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles to temporarily paralyze muscles to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. It is produced from clostridium botulinum bacterium, a natural, purified protein that attaches to nerve endings to block the neurotransmitter signals that trigger muscle contractions that cause fine lines and wrinkles.
Q: How does Botox work?
Catalina: Botox targets one of the underlying causes of frown lines and crow’s feet – the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting over the years. The Nurse Practitioner will inject these muscles in order to temporarily reduce muscle activity and prevent deeper lines from forming and smoothing the existing ones. Results typically take effect 7-14 days post treatment and last anywhere from 3-4 months.
Q: Can there be any negative side effects from Botox?
Catalina: Potential side effects could include mild headache after treatment and minimal bruising. Both are pretty rare and diminish in a few days time.
That’s the Scoop
Those were my biggest questions, but if you have others, leave a comment below and I will get back to you! If I don’t personally know the answer, I will turn to the expert and find out for you.
Also, if you live in the Chicago area, I highly recommend getting your Botox, or really anything, at Lapiel. Their staff is amazing and they are true professionals. If you mention my name, you can get 15% off your first service!
AFTER PICS:
