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Home »Botox® Library » Does Botox® hurt? What does it actually feel like?

Does Botox® hurt? What does it actually feel like?

Many people, especially those who feel they have a low pain tolerance, worry if Botox® will hurt. They often avoid getting Botox® because they’re worried that the needles will hurt.

However, the needle used to administer Botox® is so small that most people report feeling a slight pinch or stinging sensation. 

Most physicians use a very small, fine insulin needle (30 or 31 gauge) to perform the injections, which significantly reduces discomfort.

Does botox hurt?

For those still concerned about pain, numbing cream can be applied to the treatment area before the procedure to further minimize any discomfort.

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How painful are Botox® injections?

Botox® feels like several small pinches, similar to a bug bite, and that the discomfort does not last long. It’s not a painful treatment, especially once you get used to the feeling of the injections. On the scale of injectables, Botox® is considered the most comfortable’ by most patients. As this study shows, there are patients who have a fear of needles not specific to Botox®.

Does the training of the injector impact how painful Botox® injections are?

The technique used by the person injecting the Botox® significantly impacts how much pain is felt by the patient. Whether or not Botox® hurts is dependent on the technique of the injector and the needle gauge (how large) that injector uses.

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Does getting Botox® hurt the first time?

When the injection is taking place, you will feel a slight stinging at the injection site. This can be reduced by the use of a topical cream or ice pack.

How long does pain last after Botox®?

After getting Botox®, it’s typical to have redness, tenderness, and swelling. These side effects usually disappear in 1 day.

Does Botox® make you bleed?

Botox® might lead to a small amount of bleeding. There is usually pin-point bleeding- meaning a small dot of blood- from the entry of the needle, but this quickly stops. Just some gentle pressure is needed.

Why was my Botox® painful?

A few different factors can cause the discomfort or Botox® injection pain; a large gauge needle hitting a nerve receptor and/or poorly or wrongly mixed Botox® can both cause more discomfort than normal.

Also, If the Botox® was reconstituted with anything other than buffered saline, it does hurt. To reduce the discomfort of the injections your physician can use especially small, narrow-gauge needles, and can allow the reconstituted material to come to room temperature.

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