Your first time with botox? This is what you want to know

Well, no, well, no, well or maybe not. I kept postponing my first botox like it was picking a daisy on steroids. steroids. After every vacation, I thought the groove in my forehead could manage. Until my eyelids dangerously pressed down on my eyelashes due to a sad period in my life.

Every time I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a piece of the pain around my eyes. Someone once told me about the little eyebrow lift that botox gives, and that popped back into my head. I told a friend about it, who immediately sent her before-and-after photos. In the last photos, she looked like she had just come back from a long vacation on a tropical island. It took away my last doubt, and I booked an appointment.

An approach that fits

When I take a seat in the living room of IKI clinic, you can't really call it a waiting room, it's so beautiful, I feel nervous for the first time. I pick up the brochure on the table and scan the words. The brochure reveals that you can also inject yourself with fish DNA and that your skin improves enormously from it. I swallow the lump in my throat and slide the brochure over to my friend. Tip: definitely bring your friend along, it helps with the nerves and is a nice backup in the conversation.

The nerves disappear immediately when I spot Aleid. I’ve interviewed her a trillion times about cosmetic procedures, and I always said, “if I ever get botox, it will be with Aleid.” Her approach suits me. She is one of the doctors who doesn’t participate in sculpting the same kind of faces but has a holistic vision. She looks at the whole face instead of just the wrinkle and always aims for the most natural result possible. That’s what I want. Besides, she definitely puts the brakes on if I ever threaten to disappear into the loophole of cosmetic procedures. Although I think there’s little chance of that, as my fear of botox has lasted for about eight years now.

The so-called worry wrinkle

The treatment room overlooks the green garden, and by the window stands such a luxurious treatment chair that I could take a nap on it. First, Aleid goes through my face with me. In the form I had to fill out for my visit, I already indicated where my issue lies. The worry wrinkle a bit smoother and an open and fresh look, but in the most natural way possible. “Basically, as if I’ve never been to you,” I say laughingly to her. She understands exactly what I mean. In the mirror, she explains step by step where she will inject the botox and what result it will give. Before I take a seat in the chair, she checks with me one more time if I’m sure. Another time is also possible if I want to think about it a bit longer. It’s nice to have an escape route, but I don’t need it.

Aleid takes the thinnest needle in the world, as she calls it. With a few pricks in the wrinkle and above the eyebrows, I’m already done. No pain at all. I barely feel it. I chuckle because I made such a big deal out of this all those years. And if it’s not for me, it will be over in a few months. Simple! As soon as the substance is in my wrinkle and above my eyebrows, I feel like it’s already doing its job. A strange numbing sensation spreads across my forehead. ‘Is this normal?“ I ask her. She explains that it’s possible I notice something already, especially if medications work quickly for me. Which is the case.

Natural eyebrow lift

That evening, I go out to the pub with friends, and I feel it quite a bit when I wake up the next morning. But when I look in the mirror, I see a fresh face. No puffy, heavy eyes and no wrinkles in my forehead. And what do I see there in the distance? The announcement of my eyelids, which I certainly haven’t seen in about eight years. I look in the mirror about every five minutes that day. In most cases, it takes one to fourteen days for botox to achieve optimal results, but botox and I are apparently such an effective combo that it works after just a few days. The wrinkle smooths out from my forehead, and the injections above my eyebrows create a natural eyebrow lift. Big plus: I can still move my forehead, so my (always present) expression doesn’t change much. Except that I look well-rested, fresh, and fit. Even after a night of terror due to lack of sleep. In the first few days, I have an awkward numb feeling in my forehead, but that quickly goes away. Until the moment I want to look angry at myself in the mirror and can no longer do that. Am I glad I lay down in the chair? ENORMOUSLY. I no longer have a tired, sad look. I have eyelids where I can apply eyeshadow. And with my relaxed forehead, it even seems like I sleep better in the first week. Could this be a handy side effect? And even though I keep getting comments that I radiate, that’s not what it’s about for me. It mainly feels good when I look in the mirror and recognize myself again. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it a second earlier or later.

Your first botox experience ahead? Here’s what you want to know

• Bring someone along, it makes it a relaxing outing and ensures you have less time to focus on your nerves (or that needle).
• You shouldn’t exercise for a few days, as sweating affects the effect of the botox. Great excuse.
• Keep your head upright for the first few hours, as this ensures that the fluid doesn’t sink the wrong way.
• Always make sure to get good information. Sometimes it helps to have an (online) conversation in advance to discuss or alleviate your concerns.
• Whatever you do, make sure to choose a good doctor. Otherwise, check out the episode of BOOS to inform yourself well. The slogan of the professional association is not for nothing: be careful, making yourself beautiful can have ugly consequences.