Botox – Answers to my patients most common questions.
Botox. Who would think that a substance that is responsible for food poisoning could also make us look more youthful!
Below I’ve listed some of the more common questions I’m frequently asked by my patients.
What is Botox?
Botox is a prescription drug and is made by the drug company Allergan. It works by temporarily blocking muscle activity by preventing the transmission between nerve endings and muscle fibers. In lay terms this means that when Botox is injected into your muscle the muscle will temporarily relax.
What areas do you treat?
Common areas treated are:
- Forehead wrinkles.
- Frown lines.
- Crow’s feet.
- The muscle bands in the anterior neck.
What can I expect from my first Botox procedure?
The procedure is quick and easy, it usually takes about 10 minutes. The first thing I will do is assess your facial wrinkling to make sure that Botox is indicated. I will then mark your face to pinpoint the injection sites. A small fine gauge needle is used to inject the Botox into the target areas. You will feel small pin pricks in the treatment areas. My patients tell me the pain is a 1-2 on the scale of 10.
What kind of results can I expect to see?
Botox does not work instantly, so don’t expect to see immediate results! Results are generally seen anywhere from 1-7 days after the procedure.
Botox is not permanent, it will gradually wear off. My patients generally return for repeat injections every 3-4 months.
Who administers the Botox at your office?
I administer all of the Botox injections to our patients at Kadlec Clinic Plastic Surgery and Dermatology. The chance of complications can increase when administered incorrectly by an inexperienced injector. Complications might include problems swallowing, problems breathing, muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision, blindness and drooping eyelids.
At what age do people start getting injections?
It depends. Some of my younger patients are in their early 30’s and use Botox to prevent wrinkles from forming.
Do you do Botox parties?
No. While they sound like a lot of fun I do not think they are safe. For patient safety I believe in maintaining the highest medical standards. This means administering Botox in a safe clean clinical setting with no alcohol involved.
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin
For more on patient safety, click the following link:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety