A first botulinum toxin appointment, often called Botox after the best-known brand, starts with a conversation, not a needle. The doctor reviews your health history, looks at how your face moves, and agrees with you what to treat and what to leave alone. The injections take about ten minutes. You see the effect over the following three to fourteen days, and it lasts roughly three to four months. At Ivory Premier the treatment is given by Dr. Kim Cuizon, a medical doctor, and the first visit ends with a plan whether or not you go ahead that day.
What happens at the consultation?
Dr. Kim asks what bothers you and what you would like to change, then watches your face at rest and in expression: frowning, raising the brows, smiling. He reviews your medical history, medicines and allergies, and any previous treatments. He explains what toxin can do (soften lines caused by movement) and what it cannot (fill lost volume or lift sagging skin), and suggests a dose and placement. You can ask for a conservative start.
Who should not have botulinum toxin?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have a neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis, who have an infection at the injection site, or who have had an allergic reaction to a botulinum product. Some medicines, including certain antibiotics, can interact. This is why a medical doctor takes your history before treating.
How should I prepare?
- Come with a clean face, without makeup if possible.
- Avoid alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen and fish oil for a day or two beforehand if your doctor agrees, as they can increase bruising.
- Tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement you take.
- Plan nothing strenuous for the rest of the day.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe each injection as a brief pinch. The needles are very fine and the amounts are tiny. A cold pack or numbing cream can be used if you are anxious. The whole injection part is usually over in ten minutes.
What should I do afterwards?
| For the rest of the day | Why |
|---|---|
| Do not rub or massage the treated area | So the product stays where it was placed |
| Stay upright for about four hours; no lying flat or face-down | Same reason |
| Skip exercise, saunas and alcohol | Reduces bruising and spreading |
| Make expressions normally | Normal movement is fine |
| Makeup after a few hours if the skin is intact | Avoids irritation at the needle points |
Small red bumps at the injection points fade within an hour or so; a small bruise can happen and settles within days.
When will I see the result, and how long does it last?
The effect begins around day three and is complete by about day fourteen. It lasts roughly three to four months for most people, sometimes longer with repeated treatments, as the muscle learns to move less. There is no permanent change: if you stop, your face returns to how it was.
What is the review visit for?
Around two weeks after the first treatment you come back so the doctor can see the result at full effect, check symmetry, and add a small amount if an area needs it. This review is how a natural result is achieved on a first treatment, and it is part of the plan at Ivory Premier.
What can go wrong?
Side effects are usually minor and temporary: bruising, a mild headache, or a heavy feeling in the brow for a week or two. A drooping eyelid or an uneven brow can happen if the product spreads, and wears off as the treatment does. Serious reactions are rare. Choosing a medical doctor who knows facial anatomy and uses conservative doses is the best protection.
Is Botox the same as fillers?
No. Toxin relaxes muscle; fillers add volume. Many people start with one and later consider the other, and the two are sometimes combined. Botox and fillers: what is the difference? explains both.
The next step
The first appointment is a conversation. Request a consultation with Dr. Kim at Ivory Premier in Mandaue City.
General information only, not medical advice and not a substitute for a consultation. Treatments, timing and suitability vary from person to person. Request a consultation for advice about your own situation.
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