Botox is hardly a hush-hush beauty treatment anymore. Freezing wrinkles is now practically an American pastime.

Whether you’re a Botox believer or someone who prefers to wait for their first treatment, there are definitely some questions to ask your doctor or practitioner before getting it, and some things to consider yourself.

Okay, disclosure time: Of course I’m not a doctor, so don’t consider this medical advice. But I have been getting Botox on and off for over a decade now (of course, excepting the times I have been pregnant and/or nursing, which constituted a period of six and half years when added up), so let’s just call me an educated consumer!

Question One: In Which Areas of Your Face Do You Want to See a Decrease in Wrinkles?

For me, it’s my “11’s”“—the parallel wrinkles between my eyes—as well as the horizontal creases on my forehead. Once in a while we also do my crow’s feet, which are the small creases you see on the outer corner of the eye when you smile.

Your provider will likely hand you a mirror and ask you to point out the areas where you want to see a lessening of wrinkles. That’s the best point to discuss the pros and cons of freezing certain parts of your mug.

Weird story: One time I got my crow’s feet done, and couldn’t squint tightly enough to block the sun from my eyes. I had to where my sunglasses all the time. Haha! I don’t know why, but I find this hysterical.

Lesson: Don’t be like me and let your vanity potentially destroy your vision. Or maybe just ask your doctor about that before you treat that area on your face.

How “Frozen” Do You Want to Be?

Okay, so this isn’t a medical term, but just know that there are degrees of “frozen” when it comes to Botox.

I have a joke with my doctor that I prefer “newscaster Botox”—just enough to take out the deep wrinkles, but not too much to prevent some level emoting and showing expression.

I know plenty of people in the creative space who share the same concern—that too much Botox will prevent them from adequately emoting. But if this is something you bring up with your practitioner before you inject, he or she can absolutely adjust the amount they use to get close to your desired outcome.

How Often Do You Plan on Coming Back for More?

One other thing worth discussing with your doctor is your plan for continuing, or not continuing, treatment.

Of course, if it’s your first go-round, you can’t be expected to know how you’ll like it (it generally takes 3-7 days for its effects to be seen); but it’s something to think about, because it can help your doctor or provider decide just how much to use in that session.

For example, if you’re planning on making this treatment last as long as possible, he or she may use a little more to keep wrinkles at bay longer. But if you’re open to coming back, you can perhaps start with a smaller amount.

If you’re in Orlando, one of my favorite Botox providers is Dr. Ruth Yeilding, MD. Check out the practice here, and if you go, tell them I sent you!

Have you gotten Botox? What advice would you give to someone considering getting it? Drop in on Comments below!