21 FAQs About BOTOX® Cosmetic: All You Could Ever Want to Know About This Non-surgical Wrinkle Reduction Treatment
If you’re interested in getting BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, chances are you have a few questions. To help you prepare for your consultation and treatment, here are the answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic.
1. What is BOTOX® Cosmetic made of?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein refined from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium and administered as an injectable treatment.
2. What is BOTOX® Cosmetic used for?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is used to smooth moderate to severe frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet wrinkles in the upper face.
3. How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
When injected, BOTOX® Cosmetic slows muscle activity in the treatment area. This helps the soft tissues to lie smoothly without wrinkling the skin.
4. What areas can be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic can treat frown lines between the brows, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes.
5. Who should I go to for BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments?
For your safety and the best results, you should go to a board-certified plastic surgeon for BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. Dr. Stevens administers BOTOX® Cosmetic injections himself, unlike some surgeons who have an aesthetician or nurse on staff perform the injections.
6. Will it look like I’ve “had work done” after a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
When administered properly, you will not look like you’ve “had work done” but will retain a natural appearance. The treatment smooths out frown lines and wrinkles but does not affect facial expressions.
7. What does treatment feel like? Is it painful?
Some patients experience a slight pinching feeling with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. If desired, Dr. Stevens can use ice or a topical numbing agent before your treatment.
8. What side effects might I have?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved BOTOX® Cosmetic injections as safe for treating certain types of wrinkles in the upper face. Nonetheless, side effects may occur in some patients. BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause temporary side effects such as discomfort at the injection site, a headache, blurred or double vision, minor swelling, redness, drooping eyelids or brows, and others. An allergic reaction or other side effects can also occur. Get medical help right away if you experience any unusual side effects after your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.
9. Am I a candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments?
You may be a candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic injections if you have moderate to severe frown lines, forehead lines, and/or crow’s feet wrinkles. You may also be a candidate if you want to prevent or postpone upper face wrinkles. Candidates should have good tissue laxity; if not, surgery may be recommended instead of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments.
10. How does BOTOX® Cosmetic compare to dermal fillers?
BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers smooth facial wrinkles in different ways. Both are effective when used as intended. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only injectable approved for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines and crow’s feet.
11. How quickly will I see my results?
The results from BOTOX® Cosmetic injections become visible within 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
12. How long will my results last?
The results of a single BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment typically last between three and four months. Getting regular treatments may help the results to last longer over time.
13. How often can I get BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments?
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections may be performed approximately every three to four months to maintain the results.
14. At what age should I start receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic?
You can begin BOTOX® Cosmetic injections as early as age 18, but injections are more commonly performed on individuals in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s who desire to prevent or erase wrinkles.
15. When should I stop BOTOX® Cosmetic and consider surgery?
While BOTOX® Cosmetic can still help individuals up to age 65, there will come a point where tissue laxity is significant enough that a brow lift or blepharoplasty may be more effective. The timing for this transition will be different for every patient. Your plastic surgeon can advise you on when it would be best to consider surgery.
16. Can BOTOX® Cosmetic prevent wrinkles?
BOTOX® Cosmetic can be administered earlier in an adult’s life to anticipate and possibly prevent or postpone some wrinkles. Because frown lines and other expression lines form due to repeated muscle movements that etch lines into the skin, getting BOTOX® Cosmetic injections early may slow the rate at which wrinkles may form in certain areas.
17. Will I still be able to frown and make facial expressions after BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments?
You will still be able to frown and make other natural facial expressions after BOTOX® Cosmetic injections.
18. How long is the treatment?
A single treatment session with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections lasts approximately 10 minutes.
19. How do I prepare for my treatment?
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections require no preparation on your part, but there are things you can do to improve your experience. To minimize the possibility of bruising, avoid taking aspirin or blood thinners. If you typically wear makeup, you may want to bring some with you to your procedure so that you can touch it up afterward.
20. What should I do after my treatment?
There is minimal or no downtime after BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. You should be able to return to your preferred activities right away. It is best to avoid rubbing your eyes excessively for several days after you receive BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for crow’s feet wrinkles.
21. Can I combine BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments with other rejuvenation procedures?
You can combine your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments with other rejuvenation procedures as desired. For example, it is not uncommon to get BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for frown lines and dermal fillers for smile lines. Because individual needs are so unique, you should contact Dr. Stevens to see what other procedures he may recommend for you.
