BOTOX® Cosmetic is an injectable solution that can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in specific facial areas to create a more youthful and vibrant appearance. This revolutionary non-surgical treatment involves the careful injection of a solution composed of a diluted form of botulinum toxin type A, which works to smooth away wrinkles by preventing underlying muscle contractions from forming them. BOTOX® Cosmetic is an extraordinarily popular treatment among both women and men who would like to effectively diminish signs of age and stress in the upper face for a more refreshed look.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Wally Zollman, MD, can develop a customized BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment plan designed to help you achieve your goals with results that meet your expectations.
- Benefits of BOTOX® Injections
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Side Effects
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Safety
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Alternatives
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Results
- BOTOX® Cosmetic Cost
What Are the Benefits of BOTOX® Injections?
BOTOX® Cosmetic can be an ideal treatment for patients between the ages of 18 and 65 who wish to reduce moderate to severe lines in certain regions of the upper face. This treatment is particularly popular among individuals who are looking for effective cosmetic enhancement without the need for invasive surgery and long recovery periods. BOTOX® injections offer a number of cosmetic benefits, including:
- Reduction in signs of furrows between the eyebrows (glabellar lines)
- Reduction in signs of creases along the forehead
- Reduction in signs of crow’s feet around the eyes
In addition, BOTOX® Cosmetic is typically a quick, in-office treatment with no downtime necessary, making this an ideal “lunchtime” procedure. In the experienced hands of our plastic surgeon, customized BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment plans can ultimately provide individuals with smoother, more youthful skin and natural-looking results that do not present a “frozen” appearance.
BOTOX® Cosmetic can be a very effective treatment on its own, or it can complement a plastic surgery procedure or another non-surgical cosmetic enhancement option for more comprehensive rejuvenation. During your consultation, Dr. Zollman can answer any questions you may have about the treatment options available at our practice.
What Does the BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment Involve?
BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment at our cosmetic surgery practice can usually be completed in about 10 minutes, depending on the number of areas targeted for rejuvenation. During the procedure, Dr. Zollman will administer low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic through a few small injections that are delicately and precisely administered into the areas of concern. To make the treatment as comfortable as possible, we can apply an anesthetic agent to the skin before the injections.
Since BOTOX® Cosmetic procedures do not involve surgery, there is usually no need for a period of recovery after this treatment. In fact, many patients immediately resume normal daily routines following the procedure.
BOTOX® Cosmetic Have Side Effects?
As with any cosmetic treatment, BOTOX® Cosmetic does have some potential for side effects. The most common of these are temporary pain and minor redness or swelling around the injection site. In some rare cases, patients may experience numbness that extends beyond the treatment area. These effects are usually temporary. A very small subset of people (less than 1%) who receive BOTOX® injections may not see the desired wrinkle-reducing effects of the treatment.
Is BOTOX® Cosmetic Safe?
Though the term “botulinum toxin”—the substance from which BOTOX® Cosmetic is derived—can be intimidating, BOTOX® Cosmetic is considered quite safe when administered by or under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Approved by the FDA for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles in 2002, BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the oldest and most trusted injectable treatments available. Furthermore, as a non-surgical cosmetic enhancement, it negates the risks often associated with more invasive procedures. That said, there are still side effects and potential risks associated with BOTOX® injections, which Dr. Zollman will go over with you prior to treatment.
Are There Alternatives to BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a neurotoxin that treats the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by relaxing the surrounding facial muscles. There are other neurotoxin-derived wrinkle treatments on the market, but BOTOX® Cosmetic remains the most popular and trusted choice.
For patients seeking to add or restore volume to their face, injectable fillers are another popular cosmetic enhancement. Whereas BOTOX® Cosmetic works by relaxing the facial muscles in order to prevent creasing, fillers work by adding volume to regions of the face for a more full and youthful look. Dr. Zollman offers the JUVÉDERM® line of fillers, as well as an innovative technique known as a fat transfer, or microlipoinjection. A microlipoinjection uses fat from other regions of your body in order to fill in wrinkles and enhance facial contours.
For patients not interested in injectable treatments, Dr. Zollman also offers a number of non-invasive laser skin treatments, which can remove unwanted body hair and minimize the appearance of damaged skin and/or age spots. Dr. Zollman will go over the various options during your consultation in order to decide which treatment is best suited to your needs and cosmetic goals.
How Long Do BOTOX® Cosmetic Results Last?
You should notice a marked improvement in moderate to severe lines in the treated area within a few days of receiving BOTOX® injections. The results of BOTOX® Cosmetic usually last a minimum of three to four months, although the exact length of the effects can vary between patients.
It’s important to remember that BOTOX® Cosmetic results will eventually fade, and the wrinkles will return to their original state. However, the results can be maintained for extended periods with occasional follow-up BOTOX® injections. If you desire more long-term outcomes, Dr. Zollman can work with you to create a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment schedule designed to keep the results going well into the future.
How Much Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Cost?
The price of this treatment can vary widely among patients since it is charged based on the number of “units” of the BOTOX® Cosmetic solution necessary to achieve each patient’s needs and goals, as well as other unique factors associated with the customized treatment plan. Once Dr. Zollman has talked with you about your expectations during the initial consultation and has formulated your treatment plan, a member of our staff will provide you with an estimate of the total cost and answer any questions you may have about payment options. Our practice accepts many convenient forms of payment, including financing arrangements through agencies such as Federal Credit Union and CareCredit® that offer installment plans for qualified applicants who choose to pay for their treatment over time.
To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zollman to see if this treatment is right for your needs, please contact us today.