The ultimate guide to Botox

Last fact-checked: 28 October 2020

Banish wrinkles with Botox®—and pay considerably less than back home at one of our global clinics. With little to no downtime, this is one cosmetic treatment well-suited for holidays or business trips abroad, or as part of a broader facial rejuvenation package.

Keep reading to learn more about Botox and find verified clinics around the world with Medical Departures. 

How Can Botox Help Me?

As one of the least inexpensive cosmetic procedures available to combat wrinkles, Botox proves popular with millions of patients around the world due to the fact that it's fast, effective, non-invasive and requires virtually no downtime.

Botox is known to help smooth lines, wrinkles and Crow’s feet. It works best on active wrinkles (those caused by facial expressions), eliminating up to 80% of imperfections.

The results are temporary, lasting between three and five months; as a result, many patients seek top-ups on a semi-regular basis, which can also have a cumulative effect when carried out over time. 

What Is Botox and How Does it Work?

Botox is a type of botulinum toxin that is typically injected into predetermined areas on the face, such as around the eyes and on the forehead.

The serum temporarily paralyzes facial muscles, preventing them from contracting when we make expressions, which normally gives away our age. This makes the face appear younger, hiding those tell-tale signs of aging when we smile, laugh and frown.

In some cases, practitioners may prescribe Botox to treat certain medical conditions, such as migraines, muscle spasms, squints and excessive sweating.

Am I Suitable for Botox?

Botox is considered a "liquid" alternative to surgery, and ideally, you would be showing visible signs of facial aging with lines and wrinkles. Candidates should also understand that:

• Effects are cumulative and will become more pronounced over time, with top-ups recommended every four or five months.
• Botox does not treat signs of aging evident when the face is in a rested state.
• If you are pregnant or nursing, Botox has not yet been proven to be safe during pregnancy.

Botox Before and After: What Do I Need to Do to Prepare?

Before Botox Treatment:

• Avoid aspirin or other blood-thinning medication for a few days before the procedure, as per your doctor's advice
• Don’t wear makeup on the day of treatment
• Tell your doctor if you have recently had Botox and whether you are on any medication, particularly muscle relaxants

After Botox Treatment:

• Refrain from touching your skin where the Botox was injected 
• Don’t rub the area for 24 hours unless you want to spread the Botox to other unintended muscles.
• Avoid facials for 24 hours and try to avoid exposure to strong sunlight
• Use ice packs to ease swelling, if any

Botox Recovery Time

• You may have some very minimal bleeding, bruising, redness or swelling at the injection site; however, this should only last a matter of hours.
• In some cases, if you have sensitive skin, it may last for one or two days.
• It is recommended that you don’t lie down for several hours after the procedure.
• Other than that, you should be able to get on with your everyday activities as normal.

What about the Quality of Botox Overseas?

The quality of Botox treatment (both in terms of the materials being used and the medical care) will be just as good as back home, provided that you select a reliable practitioner.

In order to avoid any adverse side effects, it is important that injections are administered precisely by a fully qualified doctor or health practitioner. 

Medical Departures makes the process of finding a reliable Botox clinic abroad easy. Our team performs background checks on all clinics listed on our site, which include verifying qualifications, accreditations and professional memberships. We also provide real Botox reviews from former patients so you can see for yourself whether a clinic or doctor seems trustworthy for your Botox treatment. 

You can see the quality on offer by browsing our global Botox clinic listings here. 

How Much Can I Save on the Cost of Botox Abroad? 

Undergoing a course of Botox overseas costs between 50 and 80% less than back home, depending on where you plan to travel.

As this isn't a particularly expensive procedure compared to other cosmetic surgery, it is not going to be worth the time and expense of traveling abroad specifically for Botox.

However, if you are already going to a specific destination, rather like teeth whitening or other dermal fillers, it will save you a substantial amount of money if you can squeeze it into your trip. 

To get an idea of the prices on offer, take a look at our lists of verified Botox clinics some popular destinations below:

• Botox clinics in Bali
• Botox clinics in Bangkok
• Botox clinics in Mexico
• Botox clinics in Turkey

How Do I Get Started?

Our Botox listings include everything you need to make your own informed choice of the right clinic for you with maps, prices, clinic photos and other information to make your decision easy. 

Get started now by browsing through the lists above; once you're ready to book, see below for easy ways to get in touch with our Customer Care Team.

Sources:

Nichols, Hannah. Everything you need to know about Botox. 15 August 2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647.php

Botox Injections. Mayo Clinic. 13 February 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658

Wisco, Lucie. Juvederm: Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler. Healthline. 1 June 2017. https://www.healthline.com/health/juvederm

Kita, Natalie. The Liquid or No-Surgery Face Lift. Very Well Health. 13 October 2019. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-liquid-face-lift-2710240