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 NY.
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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've waited 2 months after my lower eye procedure to write this review and am happy to do so. If you are reading this, I suspect, like me, you have been...
Michael S. on Lopa Gupta, MD via Yelp
Absolute Perfection!
I knew I’d need blepharoplasty since my late twenties. I had significant bags under my eyes (fatty, not water retention) as well as a bulging fat pad above my eyes along with droopy upper lid skin. Once I was in my forties, I looked old and tired no matter how much sleep I got or what eye creams I used. I’m not rich by American standards so I saved money over the years and did a lot of research before selecting a surgeon.
Once I spoke to Dr. Gupta and her staff, there was no contest about who would do the procedure. Dr. Gupta’s work speaks for itself. The before and after photos on her website are one thing, but I saw the results of a lower lid blepharoplasty in person. I couldn’t believe how perfect it looked. So I got an upper and lower lip blepharoplasty with the removal of all four of the fat pads around my eyes.
The procedure was flawless. It did not hurt at all sans a few tiny pokes from a few injections of the local anesthetizing agents. Dr. Gupta and her team function as a well oiled, perfectly engineered machine. I honestly cannot think of anything they could have done better. It’s clear that Dr. Gupta and her team have done this thousands of times and they have perfected every aspect of the process. I left her office extremely happy and in no pain at all.
Dr. Gupta is an not only an expert surgeon but an impeccable artist and a lovely human being. Her team, Emilia, Imelda and Anne, are ultra-competent and clearly love what they do. They are at your service from the moment you step into the office. They make you feel so comfortable and safe, like you have nothing to worry about and everything to be excited about. And you should feel that way: You’re in the best hands!
The post-operative self-care was not difficult. You’ll want at least a week with nothing scheduled. There are a lot of compresses but if you follow Dr. Gupta’s instructions you’ll probably be surprised at how fast the healing occurs. I returned to work a week later, only needing some makeup and my regular prescription glasses to hide some of the bruising and the sutured seams. Within a month I was rocking a style of eye makeup I hadn’t worn in decades. Over the next few months I met with Dr. Gupta for treatments to reduce minor swelling and speed healing. I saw my eyes transform to look like they did 15-20 years ago.
When I went for my one-year follow-up I asked Dr. Gupta for a budget friendly way to lift my mid-face and make my nasolabial lines a little less harsh. She told me about a procedure she invented, which I opted for (filler + threads) and I could not be happier with the subtle yet very youthful results.
The surgery and the filler/thread procedures were a huge investment for me, but I am so happy I did it. Pre-procedure, I had a lot of concerns about the expense and I felt like I was buying into a culture that puts too much weight on appearance. But every day I look in the mirror I still feel good about the decision. Just removing a little bit of skin and a little bit of fat, and a little bit of a lift, can completely rejuvenate your face and how you feel when people look in your eyes. I’m moving across the country soon but I when I return to NY to visit, I will make sure to have an appointment with Dr. Gupta on the schedule. She’s worth every penny. I know I’m going to get old no matter what I do, but I feel like I will age much more gracefully because of Dr. Gupta. I can’t recommend her enough!
Roberta Sparrow on Lopa Gupta, MD via Google Reviews
About 4 years ago, at age 41, I began to develop the most difficult kind of festoons - some loose skin, but also severe malar/cheek edema. It was in part genetic -several family members have aged this way. However it was aggravated by tear trough fillers I had done 5 years ago, and in addition to the festoons I had an odd lump under my left eye which was almost certainly due to the filler. Zero fat pad prolapse - that wasn’t my problem.
I did CO2 laser resurfacing for the excess skin. - it definitely helped, but the malar edema persisted, and I looked 55 years old, not 44.
I consulted with seven (7) plastic surgeons in my hometown. Most recommended a) transconjuctival lower bleph and/or b) more filler. A couple of them (very much to their credit) told me they couldn’t help me at all - malar edema being notoriously difficult to treat. A shocking couple of them mis-identified my problem as fat pad prolapse, even though bags were mostly down on my cheeks.
I then flew to NY to see Dr. Gupta. At my consultation with Dr Gupta, she listened very closely to my explanations, looked very closely at pictures I brought to the consultation, thoroughly/directly examined my eyes from multiple angles, and asked a ton of questions (eg, “what happens to them when you get on a plane?”).
I was clear with her that I had no tolerance for over-correction (I don’t need to look 15 years younger...I just wanted to look great for 44, but most importantly still look like myself). In turn, she was very clear with me on possible outcomes - this is not a layup, which is why many surgeons won’t do at all. She set very realistic expectations, and I chose her with confidence.
Dr Gupta did not disappoint. I had open lower bleph and direct festoon excision. Painless, excellent experience in office. And most importantly I look great two months later. Like myself, but better. Scars aren’t invisible just yet but still even with open procedures I looked great by 30 days, and even better at 60.
Her staff is also fantastic. They explained everything, answered my incessant questions patiently and knowledgeably, made the whole process seamless, and kept my husband comfortable and informed as he waited for me.
Highly recommend.
LAA on Lopa Gupta, MD via Google Reviews
Dr. Gupta is truly amazing and delivers fantastic results. She is patient, kind, and professional. Her staff is caring and attentive. She is truly gifted. I absolutely love this woman. Words cannot express how grateful I am to her for taking ten years off of me in 15 minutes. She is a master of her craft.
Lisa on Lopa Gupta, MD 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.