What does Botox do?

• Botox causes weakening of the muscles, causing it not to contract and cause wrinkles.

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What is the cost for Botox?

• Average cost is between $11-15, depending on the brand of product used (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin).

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Is Botox painful?

• The needles used are very small.  It is a tolerable procedure, but not completely pain-free.  Pain can be minimized with use of vibrating tools, ice, or local numbing cream applied 20 minutes prior to injections.

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How long do the effects of Botox last?

• Results from Botox lasts between 3-4 months, but depends on how active you are.

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What are the side effects/risks of Botox?

• Usually minimal complications are anticipated.  Temporary redness, bruising, and mild swelling at injection site.  Less common side effects are temporary headache, eye ptosis (eye droop), heaviness at the injection site, inflammation, and infection.

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Can Botox be reversed?

• The effect of Botox cannot be reversed once the muscle has been paralyzed.  Effects will slowly decrease over 2-4 months.

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Can Botox be fatal?

• Cosmetically formulated Botox is in about 0.73ng of toxin per 100 units.  133 x 100 units (13,300 units) is the dose suggested to be risky.  The amount of units is NEVER used.  Even 100 units are not used by one individual.

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Is there a rebound effect if Botox is not repeated?

• Muscles will return to their original condition once Botox wears off, however, the muscles will not be in worse condition.

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How often is Botox repeated?

• When the wrinkles start to show is typically when clients come back for a touch up.  Tolerance and antibodies develop if treatments done before 3 months, which is why we recommend at least 3 months between treatments.

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What does Botox treat?

• Botox can be used to treat Crow's feet, glabellar lines (angry lines), frown lines.  Some other uses are gummy smile, TMJ, migraines, and some other uses not FDA approved.

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Who cannot receive Botox?

• Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have hypersensitivity to Botox or its components.

• If you have a history of Myasthenia Gravis, neuromuscular disorders, asthma or respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, any facial abnormality, muscle weakness especially ALS or Eaton Lambert Syndrome.

• If you have facial weakness, ptosis, blurring of vision, problems swallowing, infection at injection site.

• If you have had prior adverse reaction to Botox, prior face surgery, any bleeding disorders, recent use of Botox or similar product within 3 months.

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Do I have to keep getting Botox for the rest of my life?

• With repeated Botox over 2 years, it is found that the effects begin to last longer.  So Botox can be repeated every 6-12 months.  Each individual is different and results may vary.

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When do you see Botox results after injections?

• Expect the effects of Botox to appear around 4 days, with maximum effect seen at 14 days.

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Can I extend the effects of Botox?

• Some studies report taking Zinc supplements may help the effects last longer.  More studies are needed in this area.

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Who can administer Botox?

• In the state of Alabama, only a licensed physician may inject Botox or Dermal fillers.

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What should I avoid after Botox injections?

• Avoid driving if any blurring of vision occurs.

• Avoid massaging or manipulating the area of injections for 4 hours.

• Avoid lying down for 4 hours after the injections.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4 hours or more after injections.

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How long has Botox been used?

• Botox has been used for cosmetic purposes since 1980 and studied for more than 40 years with no long term side effects known.