1. When will I see results from a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment?

With Botox Cosmetic, results will begin to appear in 5 days. They will reach maximum effect in two weeks, and will then last for approximately 3 months. Around 3 months, the effects will begin to wear off and patients will return to their "baseline", or the appearance they had before Botox Cosmetic treatment. There is also a new botulinum injectable on the market, named Dysport. Dysport is a close relative of Botox. It is dosed differently, but has the same effects. The effects with Dysport are a bit quicker, and begin to appear in 2-3 days.


2. Is there anything I need to tell my doctor?

Be sure you are seeing a trained professional with core aesthetic expertise, either a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or oculoplastic surgeon. Unfortunately, there are many physicians and non-physicians without proper training who are injecting Botox. So ensuring you are seeing a board certified, aesthetically trained physician is the first step. You should also tell your doctor if you are taking blood thinning medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These may increase the risk of bruising slightly. You also should let them know if you have had Botox before and if you were pleased with the results. Botox results are highly dependent on the injector, and will vary depending on the amount of product placed and the location in the face where it is placed. If you have recently had anesthesia, or are allergic to particular medicines, you should also inform your doctor of this. And of course, if you are pregnant, you should not get Botox until after you have delivered.


3. Will I still be able to make facial expressions?

Yes, if the Botox is done well. The goal should be improvement in wrinkles during facial expression, but not complete paralysis of facial expressions. Everyone can recognize a bad Botox result... the frozen facial expression (Hint - you ll often see this when watching the frozen facial expressions of movie stars on Oscar night). The ability to improve the face, but not freeze it, is what separates experienced aesthetic doctors from non-specialists.


4. What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?

Great question. Patients are often concerned that the frown lines might get worse than they were before if injections are stopped. This is not the case, however. When the improvement gained from Botox fades away, the patient will return to where they were before they began Botox. The frown lines will return, but they won t be worse than they were before. They just go back to "baseline". Of course, with continued time and aging, these lines will increase, as they normally would if one never had a Botox treatment.


5. Do treatment results differ?

Absolutely, depending on the amount of product used and the exact location. I like for my "Beginner Botox" patients to start with the areas that always respond well, including the brow areas, forehead, and crow s feet of the eyes. Later, we can move to other areas if the patient desires, including the "bunny lines" of the nose, and around the mouth if necessary.


6. What can I expect from BOTOX Cosmetic treatment?

With treatment between the brows (in the glabella), the patient can expect diminished wrinkles and a "brow lift". I will often augment this with a small amount to the lateral brow as well. With forehead treatment, the patient may experience decreased forehead wrinkling, but one has to be careful not to put too much here, as it might then cause a brow droop. Around the eyes, Botox can help soften the "crow s feet", or the wrinkles that radiate from the eyes to the temples. These are the most commonly desired effects of Botox Cosmetic.