All Things Botox

Maintaining a youthful appearance is one of the main goals of patients who visit my office. There are many anti-aging services I offer that can help to achieve this, one of the most popular being Botox injections. With so much information and misinformation out there, I want to ensure you get truthful facts from an experienced and reliable source, so I’m answering the most asked questions I receive about Botox. 

What does Botox actually do? 
Botox works by using botulinum toxin in safe, diluted doses to temporarily weaken the facial muscles that cause wrinkles from repetitive motion. The outcome is smooth wrinkle-free skin. 

How much does Botox typically cost? Is it ever covered by insurance?
 Botox can range from $300-$1500 depending on how many areas are treated, what geographic location you are located in, and who you receive treatment from. A plastic surgeon, dermatologist, physician assistant, or nurse injector are the professionals who administer Botox.
***Botox is only covered by insurance through a specialist for patients with chronic migraine headaches and other serious medical conditions.

How do I know if I need Botox? What are the signs I should be looking for?
No one “needs” Botox, but when you start to see those fine lines stay after you stop expressing emotion is usually an indicator that it is time to start. Prevention is key in keeping those lines from etching into your skin permanently.

Are there any side effects to Botox?
 In experienced hands, Botox is safe and predictable with outstanding results. But if placed incorrectly, it can lead to an unnatural appearance, droopy eyebrows, and droopy eyelids. Make sure to find an experienced injector! 

Is Botox painful? Not really, it’s just mild discomfort from little pinpricks and the good news is I’m super quick! You can always request numbing before the treatment. 

How long does Botox last?
Botox will take anywhere from three to 10 days to kick in after your first treatment. Results typically last for three to four months, but can gradually last even longer after receiving regular treatments for about one year. This is because the muscles that cause the wrinkles will gradually weaken if Botox is regularly administered.

What areas of the face can you get Botox injections? 
The most common wrinkles to treat with Botox are the crow’s feet wrinkles around the eyes, the horizontal forehead wrinkles, and the vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, known as the “elevens.” Botox is also injected into the jawline to atrophy the muscles and slim the face. It can be used to decrease a gummy smile, to subtly raise the tip of the nose, and for cobble stoning in the chin area.

Is there an age range you recommend for when to begin looking into Botox?
I suggest that the time to really start preventative Botox is when you see a faint line starting to form when your face is at rest. Most people start with “Baby Botox,” a lower volume of Botox in treatment, in their late 20’s or early 30’s.

Does Botox lift your eyebrows? I've heard forehead Botox can create an undesired eyebrow lift.
 If a patient gets an undesired brow lift effect, that can easily be corrected with a few units of Botox. Alternatively, Botox can give you a lateral brow lift which is the desired effect that many want to open up the eyes. Pick your injector wisely and you will be fine.

How long does Botox take to start working? 
Botox takes anywhere from 3-10 days to kick in after your first treatment. Occasionally one area can look slightly asymmetric until the final effect is reached within 10 days. Any minor “touch-ups” are best done two weeks after treatment.

Once Botox wears off, are the wrinkles the same or worse than before starting? 
Your face goes back to the way it was before you had Botox injections. Just like when you stop working out, those results disappear.

If I'm sensitive to creams/toners/etc. do I need to be worried about reacting to Botox? 
Botox is fine for sensitive skin, the only concern for sensitive skin types may be transient bruising in the area injected.

Can you get Botox to help with under eye wrinkles?
Botox is not indicated to treat under eye wrinkles, only the lines in the corners of the eye often referred to as crow’s feet. 

If you have more questions or are interested in booking a Botox treatment, contact me for a consultation and we can discuss the best anti-aging options for your skin.