What You Should Know Before Getting Botox®

With the rise of Zoom calls over the pandemic, Botox® has become an increasingly popular minimally-invasive anti-aging treatment. Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Emily Sespaniak and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Karen Horton often get questions about this injectable from first-timers who are interested in refreshing their appearance, but want to know more about the process before they come in.

“As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a natural aesthetic, I love Emily’s approach. She gets to know each patient’s muscular anatomy intricately so that she can develop the best plan for each patient. My forehead is a challenge, and I don’t want to look “frozen”. Emily nails it perfectly for me! I trust her with all my patients, as I do with my own face.”
~Dr. Karen Horton

Botox® Smoothes Facial Lines And Wrinkles. . . And More!

Botox® (botulinum toxin), sold under the brand name Botox® Cosmetic, is an injectable neuromodulator that causes temporary paralysis of facial muscles. Botox® is used to treat moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles, and is most often placed to reduce or eliminate the appearance of crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines (furrows between the eyebrows). Botox® can also be used as a non-surgical procedure to give the appearance of a fuller upper lip in what’s known as the Botox® Lip Flip, lift the corners of the mouth, lift the eyebrows in a non-surgical brow lift, and remove chin dimpling. Botox® can also be used in non-cosmetic treatments, such as to reduce severe underarm sweating and teeth grinding or clenching.

The Cost of Botox®

The cost of Botox® depends on the amount of product needed to reach each patient’s cosmetic goals. Most providers price Botox®by unit, and the procedure can cost anywhere from $12 to $20 per unit. The amount of Botox® you’ll need depends on the number of areas treated as well as the strength of your facial muscles. Patients treating forehead lines and frown lines typically require approximately 40 units of Botox®, while treating crow’s feet generally takes anywhere from 20 to 30 units for both sides.

Botox® Treatments Are Long-Lasting

Botox®starts taking effect anywhere from five days to two weeks after treatment. You can expect to see your final results in two weeks, and the effects generally last between three and four months. There are several factors that contribute to how long your Botox® will last, including your unique metabolism, how active you are (those who engage in intense physical activity or cardio often will metabolize Botox® faster), the skill of your injector, and the depth and severity of your facial lines and wrinkles.

Botox® Treatments Are Fast, Safe, & Painless

Botox® treatments take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Botox® is one of the most common non-surgical treatments and risks are extremely rare. If side effects do occur, they are typically mild and include temporary flu-like symptoms, headache, and nausea.

Botox® is administered using a syringe, but prior to treatment your provider will provide cold packs to numb the area to minimize discomfort from the treatment. After the injections are complete, you will be given an ice pack to reduce any swelling and/or redness.

Before & After Botox®

Before Botox®, it’s important to avoid drinking alcohol and taking any blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Arrive at your appointment with a clean face and let your provider know which medications you are currently taking, as some may have adverse interactions with Botox®.

There is no downtime required after receiving Botox® injections, however, it’s important to avoid strenuous physical activity (such as working out, yoga, running, etc.) and being in elevated temperatures (in a sauna or steam room) for at least 24 hours. You’ll also want to avoid lying down for at least four hours after your Botox® appointment to keep the toxin from spreading to other areas.

Schedule An Appointment For Botox®

As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s critically important that you see an experienced licensed provider in a medical setting. If you’re considering Botox®, contact us to schedule a consultation with Emily Sespaniak, NP to learn more about this treatment. Emily is a true “gentle injector,” in fact, many patients don’t even realize she’s done since she’s so gentle! Emily will work with you to develop a custom treatment plan to achieve your aesthetic goals.