People come to a Botox consultation with two big questions. What will I actually look like after, and how long will it take to get there. The honest answer depends on your anatomy, dose, technique, and how you use your facial muscles. After thousands of Botox injections across foreheads, crow’s feet, frown lines, neck bands, masseters, and more, I can tell you what typical results look like, where expectations go sideways, and how to time a Botox session so your “after” aligns with a big event or simply your everyday life.
What Botox does, and what it will never do
Botox cosmetic is a purified neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes targeted muscles. It blocks an electrical signal that tells the muscle to contract. Reduced contraction softens wrinkles that form from repeated expression. That means it is excellent for dynamic lines along the forehead, the vertical “11s” between the brows, and the fan-shaped lines at the outer corners of the eyes. It will not fill volume loss in the cheeks or smooth etched-in lines caused by sun damage and thinning skin. If you pinch a line and it stays put even when the muscle is relaxed, you will likely need a complementary treatment like a dermal filler, resurfacing, or collagen-stimulating procedures.
The most natural results come from matching dose and placement to your muscle strength and aesthetic goals. A professional Botox provider will assess symmetry, brow position, hairline movement, and how you animate when you talk or smile. That live assessment matters more than a stock “Botox injection points” map.
The realistic timeline from injection to final result
Botox has a well-defined pharmacologic arc. You do not walk out of a Botox appointment looking different. The product needs time to bind at the neuromuscular junction, which is why experienced injectors set expectations clearly.
Here is the progression I ask patients to expect in the upper face:
- Day 1 to 2: No visible change yet. You might see faint redness or pinprick marks for a few hours, and mild Botox swelling if you are reactive. Makeup usually covers this after 30 to 60 minutes. Day 3 to 5: First signs the Botox treatment is taking effect. You notice it most in the frown lines or crow’s feet. The forehead response often lags by a day. Day 7 to 10: Peak softening for most people. Brows may sit a millimeter higher if we employed a light chemical brow lift pattern. Fine lines improve markedly, deeper creases appear softer. Day 14: The true “after.” This is the point to evaluate symmetry and decide on a touch up if needed. Photos at this mark are the fairest “Botox before and after” comparison.
Outside the upper face, timelines vary. Masseter reduction for jawline contour takes 4 to 6 weeks to show visible slimming, even though the muscle begins to weaken within a week. A lip flip, which uses a few units at the vermilion border, often declares itself at day 5 to 7. Platysmal bands in the neck relax around day 7 to 10, with neck lines looking smoother a bit later. For hyperhidrosis of the underarms, reduced sweating starts within a week and peaks by two.
How long Botox lasts, and what changes the duration
Botox longevity spans roughly 3 to 4 months in the upper face for most first-time patients, with some outliers at 2 months and some lucky few at 5 to 6. Duration depends on your metabolism, dose, and how powerfully you recruit each muscle group. Distance runners and those with high baseline muscle tone often metabolize faster. Men frequently require higher doses to achieve the same duration due to larger muscle mass. The second and third sessions sometimes last a touch longer, because you stop over-recruiting while the muscle remains weakened and you unlearn some habitual expressions.
Masseter Botox for TMJ or facial slimming lasts closer to 4 to 6 months, occasionally longer. Axillary sweating treatments often hold for 4 to 7 months. Brow lifts with Botox relax along the same 3 to 4 month curve as the glabella and forehead. If you hear claims of a full year of Botox results in the upper face, be skeptical unless the area treated was the jaw or underarms, or the office is referencing Dysport or another neuromodulator in higher doses with a different spread profile.
Before: preparing for your first Botox appointment
If you are scheduling Botox before a wedding, headshots, or a big presentation, backward plan from day 14. That means the Botox session should fall two to three weeks before the event. You can certainly treat earlier, and many prefer a three to four week buffer.
Two prep steps save a lot of grief. First, minimize blood thinning agents in the week prior if your doctor approves. That includes high-dose fish oil, ginkgo, garlic supplements, and non-prescription NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Second, skip heavy alcohol for 24 hours pre-treatment to reduce bruising risk. If you are on prescription anticoagulants, do not stop them without explicit guidance from your physician. You can still receive Botox, but we will warn you that small bruises are more likely.
A brief skincare pivot helps too. Retinoids can stay in your routine, but avoid Burlington botox exfoliating acids or at-home devices on the day you visit a Botox clinic. You want your skin calm and intact. Arrive with a clean face if you can. We will cleanse again, but less manipulation is always better.
The appointment itself: what actually happens
A typical Botox appointment for the upper face takes 15 to 20 minutes. We review your medical history, prior Botox reviews and experiences, any history of eyelid ptosis or brow heaviness, and your goals. I ask you to animate repeatedly in a mirror so I can map your personal Botox injection points. The most common starting ranges, keeping in mind that dosing is individualized, are roughly 10 to 20 units for crow’s feet across both eyes, 10 to 25 units for the glabella, and 6 to 15 units for the forehead. A light brow lift, lip flip, or chin dimpling fix uses several units each. Masseter Botox sessions typically range from 20 to 50 units per side for jaw clenching or facial slimming.
The injections themselves feel like quick pinches. Most patients do not need numbing. I apply light pressure after each pass to curb bruising, then give you a cold pack and aftercare instructions. You can drive yourself home or go back to work.
Aftercare and the small but real things that improve your “after”
Aftercare is simple and mostly about common sense. Stay upright for four hours. Skip heavy workouts, saunas, and hot yoga until the next day. Do not massage or press the treated areas unless directed. Avoid tight hats or face-down massages the same day. Lightly moving the treated muscles, like frowning and relaxing in sets, is harmless and some believe it may help the product bind faster, though data is mixed.
Bruising can happen even in careful hands. If you bruise easily, plan for a faint purple dot or two that resolves in 3 to 7 days. Concealer works. Swelling is typically minimal and fleeting. A lump that you can feel but not see often represents a tiny bubble of saline and resolves within hours.
If a headache occurs, it is usually mild and short-lived. Acetaminophen is fine. Skip ibuprofen the day of if bruising is a concern, unless you are taking it for a medical reason. If you experience heavy eyelids, call your provider. True eyelid ptosis is uncommon, but if it happens, an eyedrop like apraclonidine can raise the lid a millimeter or two while we wait for the Botox to relax.
Before and after photos that tell the truth
A well-composed before and after comparison uses the same lighting, angle, camera distance, and facial expression. Without that, you can be fooled by shadows and brow position. I always take two sets: neutral face and expressive. Neutral shows resting smoothness, while expressive shows how much the lines soften at maximum contraction. Patients tend to care about both, because nobody wants a result that looks good only when your face is still.
The most striking Botox before and after changes often show up at the crow’s feet and the “11s.” Foreheads vary. Some people want a porcelain-smooth look, others prefer a Botox natural look that permits a hint of movement. You can dial the plan in either direction by adjusting dose and distribution.
What a “natural” result really means
“Natural” is a goal, but it is also a balance. Too little toxin leaves you disappointed at week two. Too much in the forehead steals the lift you count on to open the eyes, and the brows drift flatter. For those with low brow position at baseline, extra caution is needed. I often reduce forehead dose, focus on the glabella and crow’s feet, and use micro doses above the tail of the brow to encourage a subtle brow lift. If you have strong frontalis muscles that lift aggressively, we spread small aliquots higher on the forehead to avoid a shelf of motion over a frozen lower band.
Micro Botox and Baby Botox describe lighter dosing and more injection points to keep movement while softening lines. These approaches suit first-timers, performers, teachers, and anyone whose job relies on expressive communication. They require a skilled hand because under-treating one zone relative to another can lead to strange compensation patterns. A certified injector with advanced Botox training will recognize and correct for these.
Comparing Botox to its peers: Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and fillers
Botox vs Dysport is a common fork in the road. Dysport tends to have a slightly faster onset, sometimes visible at day two or three, and a wider spread per unit. That spread can be useful in larger areas like the forehead, though it demands precision near the brow. Xeomin has no accessory proteins, which some believe may reduce antibody formation over time, though clinically significant resistance to Botox injections is rare in cosmetic practice. Jeuveau performs similarly to Botox in most head-to-head comparisons, with some users reporting a snappier onset. Cost and clinic preference often guide the choice. If you like your results with one, there is no reason to switch unless onset time, spread, or availability pushes you to try another.
Botox vs fillers is a different conversation. Relaxers soften movement; fillers replace volume or define structure. Deep nasolabial folds, under eye hollows, and cheek deflation do not respond to Botox therapy. The best facial rejuvenation often pairs both, sometimes staged over separate visits. Skincare and resurfacing add texture improvements that injectables alone cannot deliver.
Special use cases: jaw pain, headaches, sweating, and the lip flip
Botox is FDA approved for glabellar lines in aesthetics, and for several medical uses including chronic migraine and axillary hyperhidrosis. Many aesthetic practices also treat masseters for TMJ symptoms and jawline slimming. For clenching and grinding, patients report less morning jaw pain and fewer tension headaches within a week or two, with maximal relief by a month. The “after” here looks different: a softer angle to the jaw over 6 to 8 weeks, smaller bite force, and less temple strain.
Underarm sweating treatments dramatically reduce sweat for most people, often to near-dry levels for months. Patients describe the after as wardrobe freedom. It is one of the highest-satisfaction Botox results I see.
A lip flip uses a few units along the upper lip border to relax the muscle so more pink shows when you smile. The after is subtle: a whisper of eversion, not a larger lip. If you want real volume, pair it with a small amount of filler. For a gummy smile, tiny injections can lower upper lip elevation when you grin, reducing gum show without dulling your smile.
Side effects, safety, and who is not a candidate
Botox safety is well established when performed by a trained Botox specialist. The most common side effects are temporary: redness, swelling, bruising, mild headache, and tenderness at injection sites. Less common are lid or brow ptosis, asymmetry, dry eye, or unintended weakness in adjacent muscles. Technique and anatomy knowledge reduce those risks. Allergic reactions are rare.
You are not a good candidate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular disorder like myasthenia gravis, or have a known allergy to any component of the product. If you have a history of keloids, Botox itself is not a problem, but discuss needle entry points with your provider. If you take certain antibiotics, like aminoglycosides, the interaction may Learn more here potentiate the effect, so timing matters. Disclose all medications at your Botox consultation.
Cost, deals, and how to think about value
Botox cost varies widely by market, provider experience, and whether pricing is per unit or per area. In the United States, per-unit Botox price often ranges from the low teens to the high twenties. A typical upper-face treatment might require 30 to 50 units, so doing the math helps you budget. Packages and membership programs can offer Botox savings if you maintain regular maintenance. Be wary of prices that sound too good. Deep-discount Botox deals and Groupon promotions can signal under-dosing, product dilution, or inexperience. Authentic product has a traceable lot number and arrives vacuum sealed. If you are unsure, ask to see the vial.
Insurance generally does not cover cosmetic Botox. Medical indications like chronic migraine or hyperhidrosis may be eligible with proper documentation, but that is separate from aesthetic Botox appointments.
Maintenance, touch ups, and how to keep results consistent
Once you reach day 14 and love the effect, mark your calendar for your next session around the 3 to 4 month mark for the upper face. Do not chase every tiny twinge of movement in week three. The Botox results timeline has a plateau that lasts for weeks before the return of significant contraction. A small touch up at two weeks makes sense if there is residual asymmetry or a line that clearly needs another drop. Beyond that window, it is usually better to wait for the next full session.
Most practices will adjust your plan in the first few visits. I keep a dosing map for every patient, so we can tweak two units here or shift a point there, especially if your first time reveals a strong lateral frontalis or a compensatory lift you rely on to open the eyes. The goal is a smooth, repeatable Botox after that fits your face in motion.
Myths, expectations, and the psychology of seeing your face change
Two myths keep resurfacing. The first says Botox freezes your face. Heavy-handed dosing can, but modern Botox techniques prioritize movement. The second says Botox causes more wrinkles when it wears off. It does not. Your muscles return to baseline, and lines reappear at the same depth or slightly better if you have had regular treatments and gave your skin a break from constant folding.
The first time you smooth a deep frown line, you might feel odd. Your brain is used to certain feedback from those muscles. Give it a few days. Most people stop noticing the altered sensation and enjoy the rested look. If you still feel over-treated at two weeks, tell your provider. We can lower doses next time to protect expressiveness.
Forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet: what “after” looks like in each zone
Forehead Botox should leave you with a calm canvas that still allows a hint of lift. Overly strong frontalis treatment can drop the brows or create a shiny, glassy look that reads artificial. If you prize lift, we reduce dose and preserve small islands of motion.
Frown lines respond beautifully because the procerus and corrugators drive those vertical creases. The after here often looks like a more approachable version of you. Headshots benefit greatly from this zone alone.
Crow’s feet are expressive and charming in small doses. With Botox for fine lines around the eyes, the aim is to soften, not erase every crinkle. The after photo reads as fresher skin and wider eyes, not a plastic shine. People who smile with their cheeks more than their eyes will notice less change, and that is fine. It is about balance.
Neck bands and chin dimples: subtle changes that polish the profile
Platysmal band treatment softens vertical cords that stand out when you clench the neck. This does not tighten skin, but it smooths the dynamic component. The after is most noticeable in profile and in candid photos when you laugh. Chin dimples from an overactive mentalis relax nicely with a few units. The lower face deserves careful dosing to avoid any speech or smile changes, so choose a practitioner comfortable with this area.
For men: tailoring dose without erasing strong features
Brotox is not a different product, but it often needs a different plan. Men typically have heavier brows and stronger frontalis and corrugator muscles. Over-smoothing the forehead can look off on a male face. I usually emphasize the glabella to reduce the angry “11s,” use moderate crow’s feet dosing to keep the eyes bright, and go lighter in the forehead to preserve a masculine brow position. The after should read as rested, not “done.”
Skincare, lifestyle, and the long game
Botox effectiveness shines when you support it with good habits. Daily sunscreen prevents new etching and pigment. A nightly retinoid, if your skin tolerates it, encourages collagen and improves texture. If you are a side sleeper with etched sleep lines, a silk pillowcase and mindful positioning help. Stress management reduces chronic glabellar clenching. Small choices extend the value of each Botox session.
When to consider alternatives or add-ons
If you want tighter skin rather than weaker muscles, energy devices like radiofrequency microneedling or ultrasound can help. For pigment and fine crepe lines, lasers and chemical peels do what Botox cannot. If you seek volume or structure, fillers in the cheeks or temples can soften lines indirectly by re-inflating support. For those wary of injectables, topical peptides and tretinoin offer incremental gains, but they will not replicate the clean softening that Botox provides.
What to ask during a Botox consultation
A brief checklist clarifies fit without making the visit feel like an interrogation.
- How many Botox sessions does the injector perform weekly, and in the areas you want treated. What dose and pattern do they recommend for your muscles and why. What is the plan if you feel too tight or too loose at day 14. What are the likely side effects for your anatomy and medical history. How do they price touch ups and manage follow-up photos.
A note on training and choosing a provider
Great results reflect anatomy knowledge, restraint, and enough experience to recognize outliers. A Botox certified injector can be a physician, nurse injector, physician assistant, or other licensed Botox practitioner depending on state laws. What matters is hands-on training, supervised practice, and a portfolio of consistent results. Look for a Botox clinic that documents doses and injection points, schedules a two-week check for first-time patients, and respects your preference for a natural look. “Botox near me” searches are a starting point. Vet with a consultation, not a bargain flyer.
Putting the “before and after” into your calendar
If you are new to Botox, give yourself a two-visit runway. Start with a conservative first-time plan three to four weeks before an event. Take honest before photos. Return at two weeks for a possible touch up and new photos. Live with the result for a full cycle, then meet again at three to four months to refine the map. By the third session, we usually have your exact formula for predictable Botox results and an easy maintenance rhythm.
The best after does not scream Botox. It looks like you, after a full night’s sleep, on a day without a headache, in light that seems to favor you. Achieving that consistently comes from realistic expectations, good timing, and a provider who reads faces for a living. With that alignment, Botox becomes less of a procedure and more of a quiet habit that keeps the mirror kind.