Botox to glabellar (frown) lines-results!

I've written about my decision making process in choosing someone to inject me with Botox, the big day with Dr Torgerson and my decision to get a top-up.  It's 6 weeks from the initial injection now and 2 weeks after the top-up so time for a summary!

Why did I get it?
I noticed glabellar/frown lines on my forehead about a year ago.  It was as if they appeared overnight!  I tried home microdermabrasion, facials, every type of cream but to no avail.  They actually got worse.  I felt like I was frowning in my sleep and would wake up in the morning with deep lines.  They were giving me a grumpy look.  They are one of the best areas to treat with Botox.

Where did I go and why?
I went to Dr Cory Torgerson in Yorkville, Toronto.  I wanted a professional to administer it and in a proper medical setting.  I was terrified of complications and while people in salons may do a nice job, I wanted to know I hadn't taken any chances.  I spotted Dr Torgerson at the women's show and thought he looked nice.  He was qualified and did all his own injections-he wasn't just a figurehead.

What was it like?  Did it hurt?
I got a really warm welcome when I went into the office and was made to feel at home.  My nerves almost completely vanished when I saw the place and met the office staff.  I filled out a pretty lengthy medical questionnaire and had some coffee while I waited.  Dr Torgerson was utterly charming and very sweet.  He explained everything, including risks, and I signed a consent form.  He did suggest one other thing-filler in my tear troughs...but that will have to wait until I win the lottery!
The injection was really really fine.  He gave me a squeezy thing just in case but I didn't need it.   He uses a 32G needle which is super tiny.  Obviously, you will feel something when somebody puts a needle through your skin but it was just a scratch.  He did 5 injections-one in the middle just above my nose and then two each side.  The ones at the inner edge of the eyebrow feel strange but not painful.  Just kind of crunchy!  The actual injections only took a  couple of minutes and I was ready to go straight after.

Any side effects?
My forehead felt a bit heavy the evening of the injection.  Kind of like the beginnings of a headache but not painful.  This could have been partly because of being more aware of it!  One fun effect is looking at my forehead in the gym and seeing absence of sweating in the injected area-just proves that it works for hyperhydrosis!

How long to see results?
It was really 5 days before I saw definite reduction in movement.  Before that it was a little less but 5 days was when I really thought there was a difference.  There was gradual improvement up until around 2 weeks though.

Why the top-up?
I could still frown a bit.   Not much but I was afraid the lines wouldn't soften enough.  The areas he had injected directly weren't really moving much but more lateral (outer) corrugators were pushing me into a frown.  Dr Torgerson couldn't have been nicer.  He thought the result was good but gave me a little more anyway just to make sure.  I only had 10 units that time and felt perfect afterwards.

How is it now?
Good!  I still look I can frown.  Kind of.  It's not like my forehead is immobile, but it doesn't come together in the same way.  The lines are much softer-one is barely visible-and I don't look as grumpy.  I actually do think I'm happier now that I frown less!

Would I do it again?
Absolutely.  It's pricey but I definitely want to keep it up if I can.

Any regrets?
Not doing it sooner!  The lotions and potions were a complete waste of time and money.  Could have saved myself a year of staring at my 11s!

PHOTOS:

Pre:

                                          (frowning)

                                           (frowning and lines)

5 days:

Post!

                                           (lines barely visible)

                                           (frowning-lateral muscles trying to move)

                                          (frowning again-blurry but much less movement)


VIDEO:

And this was my attempt at a video to demonstrate how my forehead moves.  Apologies for bad quality-it was on my phone camera....