What is Botox®?
Botox® is an injectable neuromodulator that works to treat certain types of lines and wrinkles known as “dynamic wrinkles.” These signs of aging are caused by the contractions of facial muscles. Botox® is also used to delay the onset of dynamic wrinkles, leading to an increase in preventative Botox® (sometimes called Baby Botox®), and people are now starting Botox® treatments in their mid-twenties and early thirties.
Botox® injections are an FDA-approved treatment for frown lines, lines on the forehead and crow’s feet. It’s also effective for other areas of the face, such as the nose, lower face, lips, and neck. Botox® softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles to disrupt the contractions.
Botox® is effective for people of all ages, from mid-twenties and older. It minimizes the appearance of existing lines, as well as weaken the muscles to prevent wrinkles from worsening as you age. Keep in mind that Botox® isn’t a miracle fix for all signs of aging. It won’t work on lines that are caused by other factors, such as sun damage.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Botox®
More and more people are relying on Botox® as their preferred anti-aging treatment for a number of reasons. However, in some cases, it might not be the ideal choice. Here are the pros and cons of Botox® to consider before opting for the injections.
Pros
- Botox® is the premier treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered more effective than almost any other option for reducing lines and wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement in the face.
- Botox® is a temporary treatment, and injections last about four to six months. You can try it out, and decide if it’s right for you. If you decide against further injections, your skin returns to the same appearance as prior to the injections, with only signs of the natural aging process.
- Botox® is safe. There are very few health risks associated with using the product.
- There is little to no downtime with Botox®. You can resume your normal activities immediately after the injections.
- You see immediate results. Some people see results right after the injections, but most people see results within a few days.
- Botox® injections require very little time. The first treatment takes 30 to 60 minutes, and follow-treatments take about 15 minutes.
- Repeated treatments offer longer-term benefits. Results last four to six months, and you’ll need follow-up injections about every four months. In addition to being an effective treatment for wrinkles, Botox® helps to reduce, sometimes even remove, lines caused by repetitive facial muscle movements.
Cons
- The costs of Botox® injections can add up. Depending on where you live, Botox® injections in a single treatment area may cost between $400 and $500, but it may be as high as $2000. Depending on the number of treatment areas and the frequency of your treatments, the costs can add up quite quickly.
- Botox® must be done by a professional. It can be tempting to try to find a lower cost option. In order to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective, choose a medical practitioner, trained aesthetician, or nurse injector for your Botox® treatments.
- Botox® may limit range of motion in your face. The treatment temporarily paralyzes facial muscles to soften wrinkles. This may prevent you from making certain facial expressions. You can reduce the risk of this effect by ensuring that the individual administering the injections is experienced and properly trained.
- The temporary nature of Botox® can be a disadvantage. You’ll need maintenance injections about every four months to maintain the anti-aging benefits.
- Although rare, side effects have been reported with Botox® injections. The most common are allergic reactions that may cause pain or discomfort.
- Botox® is not recommended for women who are trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding. There is no research as to the safety of Botox® injections in these situations.
- There is a chance of bruising at the site of the injection, and this can last for up to a week.
Botox® FAQs
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Botox®.
Ask a question-
Is Botox® safe?
While Botox® remains one of the most popular minimally-invasive treatments, there are many people who have concerns. It is true that the active ingredient in Botox® is a toxin that temporarily paralyzes muscles. Complications from Botox® are rare, but it is possible that the Botox® can spread into other areas. This may result in drooping eyelids or an uneven smile. The results are not permanent and will wear off within 3 – 4 months.
The toxin, botulinum type A, has very little risk and few to no side effects when administered by a qualified professional. This makes choosing the right provider important. Choose someone who is qualified and has proven experience in successfully and effectively offering Botox® injections. Every provider that is listed on Anzolo Medical has been carefully checked to ensure that they meet the medical requirements as set by AZ.
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What is Botox® used for?
Botox® works by temporarily paralyzing the underlying facial muscles. It is most often used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox® is also used for the treatment of migraines, muscular disorders, and excessive sweating. In some cases, it is also effective for certain bladder and bowel disorders, temporomandibular joint disorder, bruxism, vaginismus, and for reducing a gummy smile.
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What can I expect from my Botox® appointment?
If you have concerns about your Botox® appointment, this should help you to understand what you can expect at each stage of the process:
- The first step is a consultation with your provider. After a thorough examination and discussion about your concerns, the provider makes treatment recommendations to help you achieve your goals. This is an ideal time to ask any questions that you might have.
- The second step is the Botox® appointment. You will complete a consent form. Expect your first appointment to take about 30 minutes. Follow-up treatments may take slightly less time. Your provider explains the procedure and what to expect. Botox® is injected in the targeted muscles with a fine needle.
- Immediately after the treatment, you can expect to have a small amount of swelling and redness which will disappear after ten minutes. It is possible that you may have a slight headache afterwards, although most people experience very little in the way of pain or side effects.
- One day after Botox® treatment, you probably won’t have any symptoms, but there is a chance that you may have some minor bruising or a mild headache. You may not yet see the effects of the treatment.
- A week after your treatment, you’re likely to see the results of the injections. The skin appears smoother and plumper.
- Three months after your treatment, muscle movement starts to gradually return to normal. This is the time to schedule your follow-up appointment for additional Botox injections.
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How long will it take to see results?
The full effects of Botox® are not immediate. Botulinum type A takes some time to relax the muscles. You should start to see results around two to three days after treatment, but the full effects will take up to one week. Look for full results after about two weeks.
Keep in mind that you may still see some fine lines. The appearance of these lines will decrease as the facial muscles remain relaxed and immobile over three months. This is what makes long-term Botox® use so effective. The longer the muscles remain immobile, the fewer lines you may have.
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Do Botox® injections hurt?
The pain from Botox® is minimal. The needles are very small. After the treatment, you may have small red bumps on your face that will last for 15 to 20 minutes. There is a small risk of bruising around each injection site that may last up to one week. You can minimize the risk of bruising by avoiding anything that thins your blood, unless it’s medically necessary. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), fish oil, vitamin E supplements, and alcohol.
If you are worried about the discomfort of Botox injections, you can request a topical anesthetic cream to numb the area before the injections.
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How long does Botox® last?
Botox® lasts for 4 and 6 months. As the muscle movement gradually returns, you will notice the lines and wrinkles starting to reappear. At this point, you will need a follow-up treatment. With continued Botox injections, the lines and wrinkles are less severe. If you stop Botox® treatments, the effects will wear off completely, and muscles will go back to their normal movements.
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How much should I expect to pay?
The total cost of treatment with Botox® varies from person to person. It depends on how many units are needed to treat the area. Additional considerations are the size of the area and strength of the muscles that need to be relaxed. In [STATE], the cost ranges from $10 and $25 per unit. Frown lines between the eyebrows are often treated with Botox® injections. Most people require about 25 units of Botox® to soften these lines, but it may 10 to 30 units.
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When should you start getting Botox®?
Many patients start using Botox® around the age of 30 when lines and wrinkles start to become more noticeable. Others start Botox® injections around age 25 as a preventive treatment.
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Patient Testimonials
Read real reviews from the Anzolo community
I saw Dr Rimma Finkel for the last time this week I was asked did I want to make my one year appointment I said no I would call but after the experience I have had with her over two years I will not be going back she did my surgery after having a double masctmoy I'm thankful the cancer is gone but the job she preformed was not good at all I was left with scares where she just ripped the tape off around the nipple and when asked would it heal properly she said she didn't know her bedside manor is even worse she is headed out the door before she get in the room good she has such a disconcern it makes you wonder how she ever became a surgeon and for the person that replies to these reviews you should be a fly on wall when she is in with her patient a Dr should NEVER! make their patient feel like they are a problem and not a patient
Charmaine Jones on Rimma Finkel, Dr via Google Reviews
Dr. Finkle was recommended to me. I called the office today to make an appointment and they refused to see me because my previous plastic surgeon was still alive and practicing in the state of Arizona and she does not do revisions of other peoples work. VERY DISSAPOINTING.
Jennifer Peluso on Rimma Finkel, Dr via Google Reviews
From my first (nervous) phone call, the staff have always been so sweet and kind. They put me at ease, answered ALL my questions (there were a lot) one question the nurse couldn’t answer, so she emailed Dr. Finkel and got back with me right away! I never waited more than 5 minutes, not even for Dr. Finkel!
Dr. Finkel is not warm & fuzzy, but is kind, and she is direct, but she is amazing at what she does and that’s what really matters in the end, right?
You are paying for her talent not warm & fuzzies!
My only complaint is after your consultation appointment, if you schedule surgery the consultation money should go towards that cost. I was a cash paying patient.
Best of luck to you regardless if you stay and go with Dr. Finkel, or choose somewhere else.
Kathlene Amelia Armstrong Starkey on Rimma Finkel, Dr via Google Reviews
Disappointing doesn’t even begin to describe my Experience with Dr Finkel. 18 months of disinterest, misinformation, and mis-direction. She says she sat me at her desk in her office and discussed all my Mastectomy options and reconstruction choices…but I never saw her for more than 5 minutes at a time in an exam room. She failed to inform me of other choices or surgical options at every turn.
Then after my Double Mastectomy and implants, one side blew up and she said it was obviously Lymphedema-But I had a Lymphedema specialist who questioned that several times. Finkel insisted on costly, time-consuming, and downright painful Physical Therapy for months AND got Snippy with me and my PT person when we raised questions-until my swollen breast tore open and leaked fluid…for weeks…She was happy to see me once & twice a week at a large copay until my implant became exposed.
I have been told by 5 other doctors, that implant replacement is mandatory at that point-instead, she did a surgical procedure in her office and stitched it closed- leaving an even more unsightly and ridged scar. Then it burst open again…& she finally replaced the implant-In total 4 months of agony, stress, and worry…oh & thousands of dollars out of my pocket. But of course she got paid by me & the insurance company for all of MY wasted time.
I kept asking questions for months but her answer was always “you cant worry about that yet” or “ no, Dear…you’re mistaken”. In many instances she had 20 women stacked up in her waiting room & appointments ran an hour late. The office is disorganized & was for the over a year that I went in nearly weekly. There were also huge billing errors made by her staff to both me & to the insurance companies.
A few weeks after my last follow-up from the botched replacement, I had yet another complication & called the office. Left a Voicemail.Didn’t hear back…Left a second Vm the next day…didn’t hear back.Called a third day & was told by an insensitive male assistant that it would either resolve itself or not. Not come back till my next appointment in 3 months. I’ve now had three additional surgeries & 5 second-opinions, trying to fix her lousy outcomes to my breasts.
It seems that Dr Finkel is either lazy, overworked, over-burdened, or just plain disinterested.She has a terrible, condescending manner & is very dismissive. I do believe that IF things go perfectly that she is probably adequate for most folks, but she evidences little to no interest in any outcome that isn’t within her simplistic repertoire.She’s a two-trick-pony when it comes to reconstruction and doesn’t feel the least qualm at blowing off a patient or procedure that doesn't cubby-hole neatly into her limited skill-set. She has a huge superiority complex & terrible people-skills, absolutely no empathy, or compassion…but then I guess when you’re the kind of volume enterprise that she is, she doesn’t have time for any of that. At my Very first visit, she took one look at me and the first words out of her mouth were" well, we can't give you THOSE back". Pretty horrifying to say to someone newly-diagnosed with BC and ignorant of the process. The Comprehensive Breast Cancer Act says you'll be "restored" but Finkle doesnt have the ability to elaborate or to soften the blow...nor the time/temperment to explain nor educate. I'm still not Symmetrical due to her botches-even 5 revisions later.
I wish that I had done more research…gotten second opinions, or even had that suggested by my cancer surgeon (that’s another review). But I was hustled into the rat-maze of Breast Cancer referrals & given just barely enough info by Finkel and her cohorts to be able to ride the roller coaster. I have since brought up her name in my Cancer education groups & hear so many other patients have been treated in the same, horrid, dismissive manner when they have a complication. Find anyone else. Go with them. Finkel may do the MOST surgeries in the valley, but sheer volume doesnt overcome all her other failings as a human or surgeon,
Miss Rose on Rimma Finkel, Dr via Google Reviews
Botox® Additional Treatments
Although Botox® is widely known for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, there are a number of other cosmetic and medical conditions that are treated with Botox®.
Migraines
Botox® is used for treating chronic migraines that are caused in part by muscle tension. If you struggle with headaches at least 15 days per month, Botox® is an FDA-approved treatment that relaxes the trigger muscles, effectively reducing the severity and duration of the headaches.
To receive treatment for your migraines, you will first need a diagnosis from a neurologist who may perform the Botox® injections. The injections can also be administered by a facial plastic surgeon or any specialist with knowledge of craniofacial anatomy.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. This condition can be treated by injecting Botox® into overactive sweat glands. Botox® works by disrupting the nerve signals that activate sweat glands. Its most effective in the armpit area. Treatment typically requires 20 to 25 injections for up to 50 units of Botox®.
Individual injections are quite comfortable. You may only feel a slight prick in your skin. Because 20 to 25 injections are needed, though, it is common to numb the area before the treatment. The effects of Botox® for hyperhidrosis last 3 to 6 months. Some men and women find that Botox® helps with their excessive sweating for longer.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Injecting Botox® directly into the muscles of the jaw may help relieve symptoms of TMJ, teeth grinding, and a clenched jaw (bruxism). The treatment helps to prevent damage to the teeth. Botox® is often effective in reducing headaches that are caused by clenching.
The effects of the Botox® for TMJ and other jaw disorders last 3 and 6 months. During this time, the muscles learn to relax. This may mean that follow-up treatments may not be needed, or that fewer units of Botox® are needed for subsequent treatments.