What Is BOTOX?
BOTOX and similar products, such as Dysport®, work by relaxing specific muscles responsible for lines or wrinkles. These “expression lines” or dynamic wrinkles associated with repeated facial movements such as squinting, smiling, frowning, or elevating the brows, develop gradually throughout our lives.
BOTOX Treatment Areas
BOTOX treats an array of lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions (dynamic wrinkles), which first appear in our late 20s or early 30s. These include:
- Crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes
- Worry lines between the eyebrows (11s)
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
Other cosmetic uses for BOTOX include jawline slimming, reducing the appearance of “bunny lines” on the bridge of the nose, and minimizing a dimpled appearance on the chin.
Masseter BOTOX
Patients bothered by an angular, boxy jawline due to overdeveloped masseter muscles can slim their jawline with BOTOX injections in the muscles of the outer lower cheek. Results usually become noticeable within 2 weeks, with improvement for 4 to 6 weeks that lasts about 4 to 6 months.
While submental fullness (a double chin) from fat does not respond to BOTOX, we can treat it with KYBELLA®, which dissolves fat with a series of injections, and fat freezing with CoolSculpting® using the CoolMini™ applicator.
Do BOTOX Injections Hurt?
The needles we use for BOTOX injections are extremely thin and cause a brief twinge during the treatment. Patients may ask to have a topical numbing cream applied about 30 minutes before their procedure if they have a low tolerance for discomfort.
Recovery After BOTOX
Patients rarely need any downtime following their BOTOX appointments and can return to work or other regular activities immediately after leaving Rejuvené.
We do advise patients to avoid:
- Lying down during the first 90 minutes after the procedure. Keeping your head elevated minimizes the risk of having BOTOX spread before it binds to the targeted muscle.
- Exercising for 24 hours. Raising your heart rate increases circulation, which can also result in BOTOX spreading from the injection site.
- Rubbing the treatment area for 4 hours. Again, we want to avoid anything that may disperse the medication away from the targeted muscles.
Bruising is always possible after injections, but patients can reduce the risk of bruising by avoiding blood-thinning products during the week before their appointments. These include alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E supplements.
BOTOX Results
The results of BOTOX injections typically take at least 5 to 7 days to appear, so be sure to schedule in advance of any special events. The timeline varies for each patient and differs based on the treatment areas and the amount of BOTOX used to produce the desired outcomes. Dr. Hodari schedules follow-up treatments with BOTOX patients 2 weeks after their injections to ensure they’re highly satisfied with their results.
It typically takes about 3 to 4 months for the effects of BOTOX to wear off. Scheduling periodic treatment sessions can help maintain the results over an extended period of time. Studies show that regularly scheduled treatments tend to gradually lengthen the duration of results.
What’s a BOTOX Lip Flip?
A BOTOX “lip flip” is a lip enhancement treatment performed with BOTOX instead of dermal fillers. Dermal fillers add volume to the lips, instantly making them fuller and more defined (if desired). The lip flip involves injecting microdoses of BOTOX to relax the muscles controlling the upper lip. Within a few days, the upper lip rolls upward (flips) just enough to create a more youthful, fuller look.
Combining BOTOX and Dermal Fillers
We often recommend combining BOTOX with injections of dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® products to address different types of wrinkles. While BOTOX effectively treats dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle contractions, fillers replenish volume that’s lost as part of the natural aging process. The areas where we use fillers include the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, and under the eyes. Often called a liquid facelift, the overall results produced by combining BOTOX and filler injections can be quite remarkable.
Learn more about the differences between BOTOX and fillers.
Other Popular Services
For more extensive facial rejuvenation, patients often have one or more of the following services when they come in for BOTOX:
During your consultation, your provider will create a personalized treatment plan to help you attain your cosmetic goals.
Quick Facts About BOTOX
BOTOX FAQ
How much does BOTOX cost?
The cost of BOTOX treatments depends on the injection site or sites and the amount of BOTOX needed. Even though cost is an important consideration for virtually all patients, Dr. Hodari advises patients not to shop for the cheapest provider. An injector without adequate training or experience can often lead to disappointing results or unwanted side effects.
Does BOTOX help acne?
By interfering with oil gland functioning, BOTOX helps decrease the production of sebum, minimizing breakouts. It is not used to clear up existing acne pimples or cysts.
Is there any way to make BOTOX last longer?
It may help to have treatments consistently, keeping the treated muscles from becoming fully functional between treatments. For optimal results, follow your post-care instructions carefully.
Can BOTOX prevent wrinkles?
Using BOTOX in your mid- to late 20s before fine lines appear—a technique often called “preventative BOTOX”—is an effective way to postpone, if not prevent, the development of wrinkles. By limiting muscle movements that crease the skin, fine lines take longer to appear.
Can you get BOTOX while pregnant?
We do not perform aesthetic injectables on patients during pregnancy because not enough research has been conducted on their safety.
What happens if you stop getting BOTOX injections?
Without regular BOTOX injections, wrinkles will gradually return or begin developing if you were using BOTOX proactively.