If you are one of the few adults who have not yetexperienced BOTOX®
, Cosmetic® (BOTOX), or otherastounding innovations like Fraxel Laser, you may be wondering whether it’stime you did.
Treatments like andFraxel laser have proven to have incredible results for our patients here in
Orange County.
Youmay also be reluctant to use a drug that used to have “toxin” in its name.
After all, doesn’t that mean it is apoison?
Another fear you might have isof needles, especially in your face!
Asone of the top Orange County injectors, I can assure you that is asafe and extremely popular treatment.
Don’t be afraid
Before deciding whether is appropriate for you, let meallay your fears. BOTOX is the mostpopular cosmetic treatment being performed in the United States. Men and women from age 18 and up have not only tried it,but continue receiving it on a regular basis. The results, if performed by an experienced injector, are usuallygood to excellent and the low side effect profile makes one of the safestdrugs available. Many drugs, includingaspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), and Digitalis are all toxic and potentiallylethal if consumed in doses higher than what is recommended. BOTOX can actually be given in doses manytimes what would normally be given to treat facial wrinkles and not be toxic toyour body. For example, patients withcerebral palsy and back pain are often given 300 units* and up of pertreatment, while the wrinkles on your face may only require 15-50 units. Secondly, needles need not be painful if usedgently and carefully by an experienced caring physician. When is very concentrated (not toodiluted), injected with a very small needle, and the hand injecting it isgentle, it can be a pain-free experience.
But is theright procedure for you?
BOTOX, when used appropriately, is one of the safest andmost effective treatments for relaxation of facial lines and wrinkles. When injected into certain facial muscles itrelaxes these muscles, thus smoothing out the wrinkles. This relaxation typically lasts 3-6months.
BOTOX is typically used for expression-related wrinkles inthe upper face: frown lines between the eyebrows (angry lines), foreheadwrinkles and crows feet. Moreexperienced physicians can also lift eyebrows, raise the corners of the mouth,smooth out lip lines and even smooth out necks with BOTOX, all of which areregularly accomplished in our Orange County office.
Choose where you getyour wisely
Results with are based 50% on technique. Your results will vary depending on how muchis used and who does your treatment. Inother words, who you go to for this treatment is extremely important. Make sure the injector has a great reputationin using and a lot of experience with it. He or she should be treating at least 10 patients (using about 3bottles of BOTOX) per week, every week, avoid someone who only opens up abottle of once a week or once a month. There are many wonderful physicians who do great surgery or who practicein a beautiful setting, but their technique may not always be thebest. There are also many med spas whooffer and other cosmetic procedures. Remember, it’s who injects the that matters, not howrelaxing the environment is or how great a deal you are getting. Most specialty physicians, such asdermatologists, plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons have had extensivetraining in facial anatomy, physiology and experience in treating the facesurgically. They are usually the best injectors because this experiencegives them the background to understand how works best and how it shouldbe customized based on how each face differs. Their experience with other facial procedures and treatments also allowsthem to choose
and combine the best treatments for each individual’sproblem. BOTOX is not the only tool foranti-aging, nor is it the appropriate tool in every case.
When choosing a physician, make sure you find out what theyare board-certified in. Any physiciancan advertise they “specialize in” cosmetic surgery or dermatology but to beboard-certified they had to have completed a residency and passed a test inthat specialty. (Note: the author, Dr. Lorrie Klein is a board-certified BOTOXphysician and trainer in Orange County, CA.)
How often are treatments?
BOTOX injections can be kept up like a great haircut andcolor, or used for special occasions only if desired. Regular maintenance for requirestreatments every 3-6 months. Alwaysplan on having your treatment at least 2 weeks before a special event, as itcan take up to 2 weeks for the results to fully kick in. Also, if a needle-induced bruise occurs itcould take 7-10 days to heal. Planning your first treatment at least 4weeks before an event is even better, as touch-ups may be necessary in thebeginning to determine your “perfect” dose.
Customizing isimportant to achieve great results
In my practice and spas I customize each patient’s dose. Mygoal is to find the lowest “perfect” dose that will smooth out the wrinkles,look natural, last at least 3 months, and not make the patient’s face look“frozen.” To accomplish this I initiallytreat on the low end of the range, which I estimate will work for eachindividual patient, for each area treated. I will then add more after two weeks if necessary. Once the “perfect” dose is achieved,touch-ups are no longer necessary and each patient will have his or her owncustomized dose to refer to in the future.
Don’t shop by price
Deciding if is right for you also depends on yourbudget. Check prices before you haveyour treatment. Keep in mind howeverthat this drug is expensive, even for the physician purchasing the product. Find out the price per unit as this is theonly way to find out the value of what you are getting. If you will be charged by site or “syringe”,find out how many units will be given per site or syringe, otherwise you haveno idea how much you are actually getting. If the price sounds too low, you areprobably not getting many units in your treatment.
Experience and reputation also count. Many med spas andprimary care physicians offer discounted because that is the only waythey can attract patients. Getting your based on cost alone is akin togetting your hair done at a chain salon, with a stylist right out of school,for $15. If that is all you can afford,that’s understandable, but remember, you get what you pay for. Most experienced cosmetic specialistscurrently charge $12.00 to $15.00 per unit for BOTOX. Units required typically vary for women from15-40 units for the frown lines between the eyes, 16-30 units for crows feet(both sides), and 9-16 units for the forehead wrinkles. Some women and most men may require moreunits than this. If you can’t affordthese costs I would recommend not having treatment. If you don’t receive enough units you will bewasting your money. You may not see results and it won’t last very long.
Combining withother treatments
BOTOX is also commonly combined with other cosmetic treatmentsand products. Fillers, such asRestylane® and Radiesse®, lasertreatments, such as Fraxel® Laser andalso physician-strength rejuvenation skin care products, such as Prevage® and Prevage MD®, are often used with toenhance anti-aging results.
Conclusion
BOTOX Cosmetic® treatments are a popular, quick and easysolution to relaxing many facial expression lines. It is safer than many other drugs commonlysold over the counter. Who you go to isone of the most crucial factors in achieving great results, so it is importantnot to choose based on price or convenience alone.
*BTX is measured in units,not weight or volume. One bottle ofBOTOX Cosmetic® contains 100 units.
Prevage®, PrevageMD®,BOTOX® and Cosmetic® are trademarks of Allergan.
Restylane® is a trademark ofMedicis.
Radiesse® is a trademark ofBioform.
Fraxel® is a trademark ofReliant Technologies.
