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By Mayo Clinic staff
During the procedure
A doctor uses a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of Botox into specific muscles. By carefully choosing the muscles to treat, the doctor weakens only the wrinkle-producing muscles to try and preserve your natural facial expressions.
The number of injections needed depends on many factors, including your facial features, the extent of the wrinkling and the specific area being treated. For example, crow's-feet usually require two to three injections. Furrows in your forehead could take five or more injections.
Botox injections take about 10 to 15 minutes and are usually done in a doctor's office. You may experience mild pain with the injections, but most people find the discomfort tolerable. The procedure requires no anesthesia.
After the procedure
Botox injections require no downtime. Expect to resume your normal daily activities immediately. You may have headaches for a few hours after the treatment. Take care, though, not to rub or massage the treated areas. This can cause the toxin to migrate to a different area of your face. If this occurs, temporary facial weakness or drooping is possible.
