What is a Botox Injection or botox shot?

Botulinum toxins (Botox) are the gold standard for softening or erasing frown lines between the brows and fine lines around the mouth and eyes. Botox is being used in medicine for a variety of ailments... and the list is growing. Headaches, bladder problems, muscle spasticity, depression - each year brings a new disease for which Botox seems to help. Aesthetically, Botox is still reigning champ for improvement of lines and wrinkles in the upper face due to muscle hyperactivity. Glabellar lines (between the brows), forehead wrinkles, bunny lines, and crow's feet are all improved with proper placement of Botox. You'll also get a nice browlift when done correctly. These are the classic areas for Botox, and the recommended areas for Botox beginners. If you like those improvements, you may want to consider treatment in other areas of the lower face, including perioral wrinkle improvement, improvement in the frown areas of the mouth and chin, and correction of a "gummy smile."

Botox may have side effects, especially when injected by non-experts. Eyelid droop is one potential side effect... that's why it's important to see a practitioner with extensive experience with botulinum toxins. The best tip for a great outcome is to see a dermatologist or plastic surgeon with years of experience injecting Botox, not someone in a recently-opened retail medspa.Knowing the facial anatomy and appropriate dosing for your amount of "muscle mass " around the eyelids are keys to a successful outcome and great results. When used correctly, though, Botox is very safe.

Most reputable practitioners charge by the unit of Botox, so the total cost depends on how much and how many areas you'll be having treated. This might range from $10-15 per unit, and may involve as little as 10 or as many as 50 units for a typical visit. Price shouldn't be the final factor, though, when choosing your physician. As with many things in life, you get what you pay for. Most people who are charging less tend to be inexperienced injectors... often non-aesthetically trained physicians, and sometimes not even physicians at all. Beware the cheapest Botox in town!