Botox® in McLean, Virginia

Botox® is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments on the market. It’s safe, effective, minimally-invasive and requires little to no downtime.

With the popularity of Botox® on the rise due to the positive effects of treatment, it has become one of the most sought after non-surgical cosmetic treatments on the market. 

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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.

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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. 


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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®.

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  • 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 VA.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

Patient Testimonials

Read real reviews from the Anzolo community

1.0
Dec 8, 2025

I am so traumatized that I don’t know where to begin. I was never told that after surgery, as a BC patient, you are handed over to staff and don’t see dr again. The problem is that the staff doesn’t have answers, so they mostly said “I don’t know” to questions or gave incorrect info. Even something as simple as asking whether Dr Diacono has hospital privileges at VHC was not answered. I was trying to combine my revision with another cancer surgery at VHC. Victoria replied with an “I don’t know.” When I asked Dr D about scar care, his response was “Everyone scars differently.” This left me bewildered because I wanted to be taught scar care, but no one wanted to teach me. Finally, my husband asked the front desk to schedule me w/ Dr D but instead I was given Gretchen. She gave me 5 min of her time. Without asking permission, she ripped off the tape & earplug in my belly button and said I "didn’t need it anymore". I was perplexed because Dr D said I’d need to wear it for 6 wks, Victoria said 4 wks, and now Gretchen pulled it off after 2 wks. It turns out she was wrong because my belly button has morphed into a slit. I am horrified. Removing the plug early was a mistake on Gretchen’s part. I deserve a nice belly button too. I sent a text asking for post op care, and was told they had gone over everything. I am horrified because that’s not true at all. Why would I ask for help if I had answers? I didn’t know that as a BC patient, I was not entitled to help or answers. I lost trust in Gretchen and didn’t want to meet her again, so the staff ghosted me. I even sent a text saying I was concerned about my flaps and that I was having stomach pains, but NCPS did not respond. Having to find a new PS because Dr D did not want to address my concerns was so stress-inducing that I’m still traumatized from it, plus some of my scars are textured and atrophic. It's awful. I am literally the nicest person on the planet and not demanding, I deserve nice results too. Earlier I made an appt w/ the aesthetician to discuss hair removal. But when I arrived for the appt I was told she didn’t come in that day. I was not called in advance to reschedule nor offered an apology. They didn’t want me as a BC patient, and they didn’t want me as a cosmetic client! The reconstruction is supposed to be the uplifting part so that the BC patient can put the trauma of treatment behind them, but my experience here was traumatic, and now I’m in perpetual stress because I never had an uplifting end to cancer. No one at NCPS was on my side. The statement "You are not alone" is just a cutsy thing they say to sound like they care. There is no substance to it. I am ashamed of myself for not being smart enough to get a second opinion. I put my trust in Dr D because he told me his wife is Greek. I assumed that meant he would treat me the way Greeks treat other Greeks. Not only did that not happen, he didn’t even treat me the way a dr should treat a patient. 1. Dr D told my husband he would have his atty email me to go over the picture policy, but it’s been almost one month and we haven’t heard. Could you please have the lawyer email me the policy? 2. Please inform BC patients up front, care is handed over to staff after surgery in case they want to go elsewhere. 3. Instead of ghosting BC patients, please let them know you’d prefer they go elsewhere for their care. The stress of having to find a new PS last minute has been unbearable. 4. Please empower your clinical team to answer the BC patient’s questions. If they don’t know, please empower them to get the answer from the surgeon. 5. Some of the staff are repulsed by BC patients. The treatment made me rotund and ugly, and the staff are used to aesthetic clients. Please don’t force staff to meet with BC patients if they don’t want to. Their lack of interest in helping me has been devastating. 6. Gretchen feeling comfortable lying to a BC patient was the tipping point in being forced to seek care elsewhere. I would like an email apology from Gretchen for lying to me. Please no gaslighting!

Despina on Mark Venturi, Dr via Google Reviews

5.0
Dec 8, 2025

I have been working with NCPS for a few months now and have been thoroughly pleased with their practice. I met with Dr. Venturi over the summer to consult regarding my bilateral mastectomy with two phases of reconstruction - tissue expanders during treatment, followed by implants upon completion. He is definitely all business, but he knows exactly what he's talking about and is a meticulous artist with his skills and training. My sutures healed beautifully and the expansion process has been very smooth. He was able to preserve my entire chest tattoo as well, which was so healing, losing my breasts was difficult enough, but to be able to keep that part of my identity really meant a lot to me. Dr. Venturi is really only present for the surgery, after that I have seen his PAs Jess and Gretchen, who are absolutely lovely. They are well trained, have been able to answer all of my questions and ease any concerns I have had, and even with a tricky expander port due to fluid accumulation, they've been able to fill with no issues at each appointment. They are also just fantastic humans with so much empathy. The women at the front desk are always able to find me an appointment when needed, and everyone is so pleasant each time I visit. I really look forward to completing my treatment and coming back for the expander-to-implant swap because I know that Dr. Venturi and his team will take great care of me.

Lindsey Shaver on Mark Venturi, 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®.

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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. 

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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.

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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.