Ba Ba Baby Got Botox

Disclaimer: This is based on my own personal experience, as I am not a medical professional, and you should consult your doctor on whether or not Botox is right for you.

Now let’s air it out...

You either LOVE Botox, or you HATE it.

I personally love it!

I love the confidence it gives me when it comes to feeling like my skin looks good, ultimately making me feel good.

But in reality, let’s chat about my decision to finally get Botox and things you should consider if you’re on the fence about it.

I will say it’s not for everyone, but that’s the beauty of free will, you can decide if it’s for you.

So, backstory…

I got my teeth straightened out using Smile Direct Club – disclaimer: I freaking loved it.

Anyhow, when my teeth aligned out, it stacked my bite so that at nighttime, my clenching habit became an issue, and I woke up with intense headaches.

I was at a hair appointment, and I was talking to my hair stylist about it, and she was like, “Hey, I’m having a Botox party at the salon, come!”

So, I went.

Jolie Visage Aesthetics, which is owned by Brandi and Jimmi, based out of Tyler, Texas, came to host the Botox party.

They answered all my questions about whether Botox was for me and made me feel beautiful and worthy; regardless of whether I had chosen to walk away from their chair, I know they still would’ve been my cheerleaders in that decision, too.

Brandi did a full-face evaluation on me and told me the specific areas that were lacking collagen, where my bone structure was starting to sink, and asked about any specific areas that I felt could use some attention.

In my first session, I added some cheek and lip filler and then got Botox in my 11s, forehead, and crow’s feet.

To be totally honest, I hated having my crow’s feet done, I felt like it changed my smile too much, and I didn’t want to look “different,” per se.

So, in my next round, I chose to opt out of getting Botox in my crow’s feet and went with my forehead, 11s, and added my masseter.

I thought that having my masseter done would help with my jaw clenching at night, but I didn’t have any success and felt like it made it worse, so I opted out of getting that done again.

Third round, I got my forehead, 11s, and chin done.

My chin was great, until it wasn’t.

I got this weird pouty lump when I frowned, so I went back to have more added, and that fixed the issue, and it looked great.

So, after nearly a year of experimenting, I finally found my sweet spots and how much was needed for each area to work great for me.

So, let’s get to the tea about Botox.

1.     It’s Expensive.

You must be mentally and financially prepared for these cosmetic appointments.

There are various brands/types of Botox (I personally use Dysport), units, and so many different places it can go that it can drastically impact the cost.

If we’re being honest about all things, I spend roughly $500 - $700 (the most expensive round was when I tested out my masseter) per appointment, and each session will last me personally, anywhere from 3 – 4 months.

2.     Be Willing to Experiment.

As I shared, it took me several months, nearly a year, to find the perfect mix for me.

It’s an investment of time and finances, which I have found the be worth it, but it’s something to consider when thinking about getting Botox. You will figure out how quickly your body metabolizes Botox, how often you will need to schedule your visits, the number of units you’ll need in specific areas, does your body reacts weirdly to certain brands, and whether you like how you feel with it. There’s a ton to figure out for yourself, as what works for me might not work for you.

3.     Personal Preference is KEY.

I highly recommend you do medical-grade care when it comes to Botox. For the love of all things good, don’t try to find someone who will do it cheaper – do it right – as there are many side effects and horror stories of botched Botox done by a non-professional.

Anyways, the practitioner will have several recommendations based on their consultation of your face that can relate to bone density, skin discoloration, folds in the skin, the texture of your skin, proportionality, etc. Remember, this is just a recommendation. You choose what you want based on what you feel you need and what “look” you’d like to accomplish. It’s your face; your preference is KEY to either loving or hating Botox and, ultimately, the result.

4.     Be Realistic.

It’s easy to get carried away regarding cosmetic procedures, and trying to obtain a certain look can steal your joy when it comes to finding what works for you. In everything, there’s a process, so be patient and realistic about your expectations, wants, and needs when consulting with your practitioner.

Botox is not for everybody, but this is my non-medical recommendation when it comes to trying to determine if it’s right for you.

I share my personal experiences in the hope that you find them enlightening and honest.

There’s beauty in being real and authentic about things we love but not caring if the person beside you chooses the same path.

 XX, Kaela