What is Botox®?

First of all, Botox® is just the brand name of a certain neuromodulator, called “Botulinum Toxin Type A” but Botox® refers to an injectable cosmetic treatment used to effectively reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Now, don’t let the word “toxin” scare you, it is completely safe to use (it has been FDA approved since 1989), but only by a licensed medical professional. There are also other well-known brand names for the same type of product, such as Dysport® or Xeomin®.

Which wrinkles on my face can I treat with Botox®? 

Cosmetic Botox® is FDA approved for use on

• Crow’s feet around the eyes

• Horizontal lines on the forehead

• Wrinkles between the eyebrows

Does it hurt? 

Any injection can hurt, but the needles used for Botox® injections are very small, so pain is usually minimal. I offer distractors from the pain such as a vibrating tool used on the skin near the injection site, ice packs, and even numbing cream, so you may not feel much pain, if anything at all!

How much will I need?

The amount of Botox® you’ll need depends entirely on a few contributing factors. These include: 

• The type of wrinkles you’d like to treat

• Your unique aesthetic goals

• The degree of muscle movement in your face

• The number of times you've had Botox® in the past 

• Your health history

What's the difference between Botox® and fillers?

People easily get these two types of injectables confused all the time, but here’s an easy way to distinguish between the two: Botox® is for limiting muscle movement, fillers are for building volume.

Botox® reduces the activity of muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. Facial fillers, however, fill the trouble areas with a gel made up of hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump and lift the skin to replace volume loss.

How does it work to prevent wrinkles? 

Explained simply, when injected directly into the muscle, Botox® blocks the muscle’s nerve signals and temporarily relaxes it. When the muscle is relaxed, dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement soften, dissipate, or disappear completely.

Are there any side effects? 

Common side effects of any injectable include:

• Muscle weakness near the injection sites

• Slight bruising

• Bleeding

• Redness

• Swelling

How long does it last? 

In general, Botox® injections are meant to last 3-4 months. To keep results going, you could need a follow-up treatment. After that, you should be able to expect your treatments to begin lasting longer.