How Painful is Botox?

September 28, 2012 - By Dr. Jules Feledy

Botox injections aren’t very painful

Botox hardly needs help to convince anyone of its popularity or its cosmetic benefits. It’s the top non-invasive cosmetic procedure in the country by a mile, and more people are getting on board every day, including men.

However, there are some who might be scared off by the treatment. Probably the biggest turn-off for prospective patients is the possibility that the treatment might hurt.

Botox is an injectable treatment, which means that, yes, needles are involved. However, the amount of pain reported by recipients is traditionally mild, if at all.

The needles themselves are extremely fine; if you’ve ever had a flu shot, you’ve basically experienced a Botox injection. Furthermore, the injection itself doesn’t take very long at all, so it’s in and out before you know it. A deft, practiced plastic surgeon who has lots of experience will also decrease the odds of discomfort.

Of course, pain tolerances differ, so even a mild treatment like Botox might hurt to some people. If your pain sensitivity is high, there are ways to numb the area; topical anesthetics, cooling devices, even ice, can be used to make the procedure a completely painless experience.

If you suffer from trypanophobia (fear of needles), you could consider taking an anxiety medication before a treatment, though you need to make sure your surgeon is aware of any and all medications you’re on before any procedure.

If you’ve been dying to enjoy the age-defying effects of Botox, but have been waylaid by that one hypodermic roadblock, you needn’t wait any longer. Be sure to contact a trusted plastic surgeon to set up a consultation.