Your First Botox Appointment at Faces Aesthetics Alliston: A Complete Walkthrough
First Botox appointments are a little nerve-wracking. You've thought about it for a while, you've probably read some scary things on Reddit, and you're about to let someone put needles in your face.
I want to demystify the experience. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you call to 2 weeks after treatment.
Before You Call
A few things to think about:
1. What bothers you specifically? Not "my face looks tired" (too vague) - "the lines between my brows bother me in photos" (specific). The more specific, the better we can help.
2. Your medical history. Any medications, supplements, medical conditions, previous cosmetic treatments. Write it down before your call.
3. Timing. When is your next major event (wedding, photos, vacation)? We want at least 2 weeks between Botox and any event.
4. Honest budget. What are you comfortable spending on a first treatment? Treatment plans can always be adjusted; knowing your budget helps us recommend the highest-impact option if we need to prioritize.
5. Your goals. Do you want to look rested, or significantly different? I'll tell you I'm a conservative injector. If you want dramatic change on your first visit, I may not be the right injector for you.
The Phone Call (5-10 Minutes)
When you call 613-869-3269, you'll speak with me or our coordinator.
We'll discuss:
- What specifically you're thinking about treating
- Your medical history and any medications
- Your timeline and goals
- Expected pricing based on what you're describing
- Available appointment times
This is also when I may tell you that Botox isn't the answer - if what you're describing is a volume issue, or skin-texture issue, that filler or other treatments can address better. Or, sometimes, I'll say nothing we offer is right for you and refer you elsewhere.
If we proceed, we book a time. No deposit. No online forms.
The Day Before
Avoid for 24-48 hours pre-treatment:
- ❌ Alcohol
- ❌ Ibuprofen, aspirin, other NSAIDs (unless medically required)
- ❌ Fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric, ginkgo supplements
- ❌ Any new skincare with strong actives (retinol, acids)
Do:
- ✅ Get a normal night's sleep
- ✅ Eat a normal meal before your appointment (not on an empty stomach)
- ✅ Arrive with a clean face (or plan to remove makeup at the clinic - we have makeup wipes)
Feel free to take: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine for any pre-appointment anxiety.
Arrival
The clinic is at 106 Victoria St W, 2nd Floor, Alliston. You'll come up to the second floor.
Expected experience:
- Brief check-in (verify your contact info, confirm what we discussed on the phone)
- Any remaining paperwork (medical history form, consent form)
- You'll be brought to the treatment room
The Consultation (10 Minutes)
This is where I sit with you and we map out the plan in person.
What I do:
- Review your medical history form with you
- Ask you to make various expressions - frown, raise brows, smile, scrunch nose
- Examine your face at rest and in motion
- Discuss treatment zones and units specifically
- Give you an exact price for what we're doing
- Answer every question you have
What I may say:
- "Let's start more conservatively than you were thinking."
- "The area you're asking about isn't really what's drawing the eye - can I show you what I'm seeing?"
- "You're a great candidate. Here's the plan."
- Occasionally: "I don't think Botox is your answer. Here's what I recommend instead."
What I ask you:
- Any allergies?
- Ever had a bad reaction to previous Botox?
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Any neuromuscular conditions?
- Any recent illness or change in medications?
If you want to stop and not proceed, that's always fine. I won't pressure you.
The Prep (5 Minutes)
Once we agree on a plan:
- Skin cleansing. I'll clean the treatment area with an antiseptic solution.
- Marking. With a surgical marker, I'll mark each planned injection point. These wash off immediately.
- Ice or topical numbing (optional). If you want, we'll apply numbing cream or use cold. Most patients skip this - Botox is a very tolerable procedure.
- Positioning. You'll sit upright in a medical chair, slightly reclined.
The Injection (5-10 Minutes)
Here's what actually happens:
- I load a syringe with the measured dose.
- For each injection point, I use a very fine needle (32 gauge - tiny).
- A quick pinch and a brief sting - most patients describe it as less uncomfortable than they expected. Less than a flu shot.
- Each injection is 1-3 seconds. A full upper-face treatment might be 15-25 individual injections total. The whole thing is over in 5-10 minutes.
What you'll feel:
- Brief pinch at each point
- Maybe mild pressure or a "spreading" sensation
- Perhaps a brief eye-watering reflex near the eyes
- Sometimes a very mild "metallic" taste (rare)
What you'll see (in the mirror after):
- Tiny red pinpoint marks at injection sites (fade in 30 minutes)
- Small fluid bumps where product was placed (flatten in 30-60 minutes)
What you won't feel yet:
- Any muscle relaxation. That's normal - Botox takes 3-5 days to start working.
Right After Treatment
Before you leave:
- We review aftercare (see below) with a written copy
- I take baseline photos (optional, kept in your confidential chart) so we can compare at your 2-week follow-up
- We schedule your complimentary 2-week follow-up
Total chair time: about 30 minutes for a first patient.
Aftercare - First 24 Hours
Avoid:
- ❌ Lying flat for 4 hours
- ❌ Heavy exercise
- ❌ Saunas, hot yoga, extreme heat
- ❌ Facial massage or aggressive skincare
- ❌ Alcohol
- ❌ Touching or rubbing the treatment area
Do:
- ✅ Normal expressions (helps distribute product)
- ✅ Normal eating, drinking, talking
- ✅ Gentle skincare
- ✅ Tylenol if needed
You can:
- Go back to work immediately (no downtime)
- Drive yourself home
- Apply makeup gently (though I'd skip the treatment area for the rest of the day)
Days 1-2
You won't see much yet. Some mild tenderness or a small bruise at injection points is normal. If you had bruising, cold compresses and arnica help.
Most patients notice a slight "tightness" or "fullness" sensation in the treated muscles. This is the onset of effect - nothing to worry about.
Days 3-5
Effect begins. You'll notice that expressions feel different - your forehead is harder to furrow, your brows harder to knit. Wrinkles at rest start softening.
Days 7-14
Results continue developing. By day 14, you're at your final result.
Day 14: The Follow-Up
At your 2-week follow-up, we:
- Review your result together - front, side, and with various expressions
- Take "after" photos to compare to baseline
- Assess if any area needs a small touch-up - if so, it's complimentary
- Plan your retreatment schedule (typically 3-4 months out)
If you're happy, we schedule your next appointment. If you want adjustments, we make them.
If anything about your result concerns you, this is the appointment to raise it. I'd rather hear it from you than have you leave unhappy.
After Your First Treatment
Here's what you can expect from Botox long-term:
- Peak result: 2 weeks post-treatment
- Duration: 3-4 months before gradual return of movement
- Retreat cadence: Every 3-4 months for consistency
- Long-term: Many patients find duration extends slightly over 1-2 years of consistent treatment
What if I Hate It?
Botox is not permanent. If you're unhappy with your result, the treatment will fully wear off in 3-4 months, and you can choose not to re-treat.
If you have a specific concern in the first 2 weeks - an asymmetry, an eyelid heaviness, anything unusual - call me. Many concerns are fixable with a small adjustment. Others just need time to resolve on their own.
Ready for Your First Appointment?
Book a consultation or call 613-869-3269
Read more about Botox at Faces Aesthetics Alliston → See pricing for your first appointment → About Dr. Fatima Mahdi →
Dr. Fatima Mahdi, MD · Faces Aesthetics Alliston · CPSO #115421