Botox is the most-performed cosmetic treatment in the world, and the one people are most nervous about the first time. Most of that nervousness comes from pictures of faces that could not move. Done properly, nobody can tell you have had it — they just think you slept well. Here is what it is, what it costs here in Lagos, and what actually happens in the chair.
What Botox is, in one paragraph
Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin type A (others include Dysport, Xeomin and Azzalure). Injected in tiny, precise amounts into a muscle, it blocks the signal that tells that muscle to contract. The muscle relaxes, the skin above it stops being folded, and the line it was creating softens or disappears. The effect is temporary: the nerve endings regrow over months and movement returns. Nothing is put into the skin, nothing is removed, nothing is permanent.
What it treats
Expression lines
- Forehead lines (the horizontal ones when you raise your brows)
- Frown lines, the "11s" between the brows
- Crow's feet at the outer corners of the eyes
- Bunny lines on the nose, chin dimpling, a downturned mouth
- A subtle brow lift by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow down
- A lip flip — a few units at the top lip border so slightly more lip shows when you smile (not the same as lip filler)
Facial shape
- Masseter / jaw slimming — relaxing the large chewing muscle at the angle of the jaw softens a square jawline over 6–8 weeks and also helps teeth grinding (bruxism) and TMJ pain
- Gummy smile — relaxing the muscle that lifts the top lip too high
- Nose tip lift — a small lift at the tip
Medical
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the underarms, palms or soles — a genuinely life-changing treatment in Lagos heat, lasting 4–6 months or more
- Trap tox — relaxing the upper trapezius for a longer-looking neck and relief from tension
What it costs in Lagos
Botox is priced per area for expression lines (lip flip, gummy smile, brow lift, crow's feet, forehead, frown lines), with a full upper face option (forehead + frown + crow's feet) that costs less than the three areas bought separately. The masseter (jaw slimming) and sweating treatments are priced by units, because jaw-muscle size varies so much — 50 units covers most women; strong jaws and men often need 100 — and extra units are added at a fixed per-unit price.
We don't print the numbers here because they change with the exchange rate and supply. The current price for every area, including VAT, is on our Services & Pricing page, and what you see there is what you pay — no "nurse" or "administration" fees on top.
What happens at the appointment
- Consultation (10 minutes). You make your expressions; we photograph; we talk about what bothers you and what you want to keep. Your medical history is checked.
- Mapping. Injection points are marked. Makeup comes off the area; the skin is cleaned.
- Injections (5–10 minutes). A very fine needle, several tiny injections per area. It feels like small pinches. Ice or numbing cream is available for the masseter and underarms.
- Done. Small bumps at the points settle within 20 minutes. Minimal redness. You can go back to work.
Aftercare for the rest of the day: stay upright for 4 hours, no rubbing or massaging the area, no facials or face-down massages, no gym or sauna, no alcohol. Gentle facial expressions are fine and even encouraged. From the next day, normal life.
When it kicks in and how long it lasts
- Days 3–5: you notice the muscles feeling "heavier" and the lines softening
- Day 14: full effect. This is when we do your review and add a unit or two if something is still moving more than you want
- Months 2–3: movement gradually returns
- Months 3–4: time to re-treat for expression lines; masseter and sweating usually go 4–6 months
Nothing bad happens if you let it wear off entirely — your face simply goes back to how it was. Regular treatment every 3–4 months keeps the lines from re-establishing, and many people find they need slightly less over time.
The natural-result conversation
A frozen forehead is a dosing and placement mistake, not an inevitable side effect. Three things make the difference:
- Treating the frown and forehead together. Relaxing only the forehead muscle that lifts the brows, without balancing the muscles that pull them down, can drop the brows and give a heavy look.
- Dose matched to your muscle. A strong frown muscle on a man needs more than a fine one on a 28-year-old woman. A menu dose is a guess.
- Telling your injector what you want to keep. "I want to still raise my eyebrows when I'm surprised" is a useful instruction. So is "I want my 11s gone completely."
Your two-week review exists precisely to fine-tune this. We would rather under-treat slightly and top up than send you out over-done for three months.
Risks, honestly
Common and minor: a small bruise, a mild headache the first day, a tender spot. Uncommon: a temporarily heavy brow or, rarely, a drooping eyelid if product spreads to the wrong muscle — it wears off in a few weeks, and good placement makes it rare. Botox should not be used in pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain neuromuscular diseases (myasthenia gravis, for example), or over an active skin infection. Tell us about blood thinners, recent antibiotics, and any previous reactions.
Where the product comes from matters as much as who injects it. Counterfeit and improperly stored botulinum toxin circulates in Nigeria; it either does nothing or does unpredictable things. We use products sourced from licensed pharmacies, and we will tell you exactly which.
Botox or filler?
Lines that appear when you move (frown, raise your brows, smile) are Botox. Lines, hollows or folds that are there at rest — nasolabial folds, under-eye hollows, thin lips, flat cheeks — are filler territory. Many people in their 30s and 40s do best with a little of each. Our guide to dermal fillers in Lagos covers that side.
Prices for every area are live on the Services & Pricing page. If you are unsure whether Botox is what you need, a consultation with our medical team is where to start.
Questions people ask
How long does Botox last?
For expression lines (forehead, frown, crow's feet), 3–4 months on average; some people get 5–6. Masseter (jaw slimming) and underarm sweating treatments often last 4–6 months. Your first treatment tends to wear off fastest; with regular treatment the muscles weaken and results stretch.
Is Botox safe for dark skin?
Yes. Botox works on muscle, not skin pigment, so skin tone is irrelevant to the treatment itself. Any risk of a small dark mark comes from bruising at a needle point, which is uncommon and temporary.
Does Botox hurt?
It is a series of tiny pinpricks with a very fine needle. Most areas take under 10 minutes and need no numbing. The masseter and underarms sting slightly more; we can use a numbing cream or ice.
Will my face look frozen?
Only if it is over-dosed or placed wrongly. Modern technique uses lower doses spread precisely so you can still raise your brows and smile. If you want a very soft look, say so — it is much easier to add a little at your two-week review than to wait out too much.
How much Botox do I need?
It is measured in units. Typical ranges: frown lines 20–30 units, forehead 10–20, crow's feet 12–24 (both sides), masseter 25–50 per side, underarm sweating 50 per side. Your injector decides by looking at your muscle strength, not by a menu.
Can I get Botox while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There is no safety data, so it is not done in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is also avoided in people with certain neuromuscular conditions and anyone with an infection at the injection site.
This article is general information for people in Nigeria and is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Treatments at The Baddie Lab are only started after a consultation with our medical team. Results vary from person to person. If you have a medical emergency, go to the nearest hospital.