Anti-Aging, Ask A Derm, Blog

A Beginners Guide to Botox

Woman considering botox

Ever have a moment like this one? You’re looking in a mirror – “is that crow’s feet I see? Why has an 11 appeared between my brows?” It happens to all of us, but you don’t have to live with it and you don’t need to look older than you are!

What is Botox?

BOTOX is the brand name of a product that is responsible for a revolution in cosmetic dermatology. This highly purified protein relaxes the muscles beneath the surface of the skin, minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is the most common cosmetic procedure performed in Dermatology (you should only have botox administered by a licensed professional) with more than 4 million people getting the procedure every year to keep their face looking fresh and young. BOTOX is FDA approved for the treatment of 9 medical conditions and is the leading brand with regard to both safety and proven performance.

Botox is most commonly used for treating:

  • Crow’s feet (on the side of the eyes, most obvious when squinting)
  • Surprise lines (horizontal forehead wrinkles)
  • Frown lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows) Who wants these?

Is it safe?

Botox is perfectly safe – as long as it is administered by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Before you get Botox –Limit your search to these types of professionals – our training is not limited to a weekend course.

How long do treatments take?

Generally, it takes about 10 minutes for the injection process, but it generally takes about 15 -30 minutes for your whole appointment.

How do I know if Botox is right for me?

Give us a call and make an appointment.  We will be happy to meet with you and give you an honest assessment of what you can expect from Botox.

Beside fine lines and wrinkles, what else can Botox be used for?

BOTOX injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract, so it has been used to treat various conditions that affect how the body functions.

Botox has been effective in the treatment of:

  • severe underarm sweating
  • overactive bladder symptoms & incontinence
  • abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older
  • increased muscle stiffness
  • migraines
  • certain types of eye muscle problems

Though the drug is approved for nine medical conditions and several cosmetic ones, Allergan, who owns Botox, holds close to 800 patents for potential uses.

Is it Expensive?

The cost of BOTOX Cosmetic treatments varies depending on your situation and your goals, so a consultation is the best way to find out how much the cost of a BOTOX treatment will be for you.

Interested in using BOTOX to maintain your youthful appearance? Set up your consultation today!