Botox, initially FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2002, has been used in millions of patients worldwide over the past 12 years to smooth wrinkles and fine lines on the face. It has a proven history of efficacy and safety when used by experienced physicians.
Botox works by treating the cause of the lines, targeting the repetitive movements of expression that eventually result in wrinkles. The active ingredient in Botox is onabotulinumtoxinA, which acts on the junction between the nerves and the muscles to decrease the movement in the muscle. This allows for the well-known relaxed and youthful appearance provided by the treatment
Many patients who are new to Botox are concerned that their face will appear “plastic” or “frozen.” When properly injected, Botox is natural appearing. The goal is not paralysis of the muscles of expression, but rather relaxation. You will still be able to smile and frown, but you will just have fewer wrinkles and a smoother appearance when you do it!
Botox’s effects are not immediate, like those of fillers such as Juvederm. You will begin to notice an improvement after 3-5 days, and the maximum result will be apparent after 7-10 days.
The rejuvenating effects of Botox can last from three to five months, though you may see some residual results for even longer than that. If you stop using Botox you will not have worse wrinkles than you had before receiving Botox. Rather your face will simply return to its “natural” state. If you use Botox regularly you can actually retrain your muscles to move less!
What is Botox used to treat?
Botox is FDA-approved for treating the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows (the glabella) and also for treating crow’s feet. Other areas have been treated with great success, such as forehead lines and bunny lines.
Am I a good candidate for Botox?
Botox is well tolerated by most patients; the needles used for injection are tiny and the amount injected is very small, resulting in minimal discomfort. If you have a fear of needles or if the discomfort is bothersome, we can apply a topical anesthetic prior to your treatment.
Botox is very safe, with minimal side effects. There have not been any confirmed cases of serious effects related to the spread of Botox when used in the areas and doses recommended for cosmetic use. Some patients experience headaches, localized pain or redness and swelling at the injection site. Generally these symptoms resolve within a few days, and most patients are not bothered enough by them to stop getting Botox treatments.
Botox is not for all patients or for all wrinkles. Patients who are younger than age 18, who are pregnant or breast-feeding or who have certain nerve-related diseases should not get Botox. If you have any questions about whether you are a good candidate for Botox, you should speak with one of the experienced physicians at Imagen Body Sculpting by calling 402-509-8473.
Not all wrinkles can be treated with Botox. Wrinkles that are very deep and some that are related to volume loss (for example the parentheses lines between the nose and mouth) are better treated with fillers such as Juvederm or Voluma.
Some physicians do use Botox to treat lines in the neck, however, you should always use caution in this area because there is a higher risk of affecting the muscles involved in breathing and talking. There are other treatments that can provide similar results without these risks.
How much does Botox cost?
There are different ways that clinics charge for Botox. Some clinics charge by the area or by the number of syringes that are used. At Imagen we charge by the number of units used in the treatment.
Always make sure that you seek the advice of an experienced physician and that your treatments will be provided by a physician. There are offices that offer Botox at a discounted rate. This may be because it is administered by inexperienced physicians or even non-physicians.
Botox vs Dysport
The botulinumtoxin treatment Dysport was approved by the FDA in 2009 for use in the United States for treating the frown wrinkles in the glabella. Dysport has been shown to have similar results and duration to Botox, and the cost is similar. Many of our patients have a loyalty to one brand or the other, but often it comes down to cost.
Botox is the most requested cosmetic treatment on the market today. More than 12 million men and women have been treated over the past 10 years in the U.S. alone.
To learn more about whether a Botox treatment at Imagen is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation with our knowledgeable staff by contacting us or Calling us at 402-509-8473.
