Botox - Dermal Fillers
Botox injections are most commonly used to smooth out wrinkles in the face, but they can also be used as a treatment for excessive sweating and even frequent migraine headaches. Botox is typically used in the upper parts of the face surrounding the eyes to provide a smoother look. It can also be used around the nose, the mouth, above or below the jawline, the neck, or anywhere there is excessive sweating.
What is Botox made Of?
Botox, manufactured by Allergan, Inc., was the first FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A (BTA) product available in the U.S. Since the introduction of Botox in the late 1980s, there is one other FDA-approved BTA trade-name product such as Dysport, made by Ipsen Pharmaceuticals in England. They each contain the same identical active component of BTA produced by the clostridium botulinum bacterium that is contained in Botox. In fact, none of these companies make BTA – instead, they each have their own patented way of extracting it from the bacteria. Learn more information about Botox injections and treatment, options below.
How Botox Injections Work
Botox works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings. This absence of acetylcholine causes a loss of function of the muscle or gland that was connected to the nerve. The inhibition lasts a variable period of time (typically several months). Exactly how long the effect of BTA lasts in a given person is dependent upon the potency of the toxin in a given vial or lot, the individual person’s physiology, the placement of the product, the number of "units" used at the injection site, and factors not yet understood.
Choosing A BTA Product
There are several different BTA products available and which particular one is selected for use in a given client is determined by client choice. This decision is influenced by incentives that may be offered by the individual companies, baseline price, and emotional factors. Medically, there is no known reason to expect anyone BTA product would perform any better than the others.
What Are Botox Injections Used For?
Botox injections are one of the most versatile treatments we provide at Medical Cosmetics. It’s ideal for treating a variety of conditions. First and foremost, it is an excellent treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Another issue many people have is excessive sweating, also known as Hyperhidrosis. Botox is a highly effective treatment for this condition, bringing relief when nothing else has worked. One of the most difficult medical conditions to treat is migraines. Botox is an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines and is especially effective for those who suffer from them frequently.
To learn more about how Botox will work for you, contact us today for a complimentary consultation at Medical Cosmetics in Lancaster, PA. We are very confident you will be very happy with the before and after effects of Botox.
Have You Considered A Botox Lip Flip?
If you long for fuller lips you may have been considering lip fillers, but did you know a Botox lip flip may be a better fit for you? If you’re looking for a more subtle enhancement, consider scheduling a complimentary consultation with us to discuss your options. During a Botox lip flip treatment we inject Botox into the muscles around the upper lip. Only a few strategically placed injections from our aesthetician are needed for the treatment. This subtle lip enhancement occurs as your upper lip relaxes and rolls upward resulting in more pouty lips.
Botox lip flips aren’t for everyone. They’re ideal for patients who want to see a more subtle change when compared to lip fillers. They’re perfect if your goal is more definition, not necessarily more volume in your lips. If your upper lip disappears when you smile this treatment is likely exactly what you’ve been looking for. Occasionally we will use a combination of lip fillers and a Botox lip flip, it simply depends on the look you’re trying to achieve. Contact us today for more information!
How Much Do Botox Injections Cost?
The cost of Botox injections varies. Medical Cosmetics charges by the area of skin we treat and the number of units injected. For example, a typical treatment on the forehead uses 20- 30 units of Botox. Some individuals have smaller or larger areas to treat, so the price would vary. Each individual has unique needs and will require a consultation before we quote a price.
There are distinct types of Botulinum toxin-A products and we charge by the unit injected.
- Botox is $14.00 per unit
These three products have similar effects, but the amount needed to provide the desired outcome is different. One unit of Botox equals 2 ½ units of Dysport. Per unit, Dysport is less expensive however you will need 2.5 times the amount to equal the outcome of Botox.
Botox costs vary, but you can expect to pay between $130 – $290 for the Glabella region, which is between the eyebrows. The crow’s feet region, including both sides of the face, costs between $104 – $290. The forehead typically costs between $26 – $145. Vertical lines surrounding the mouth varies between $52 – $116 per lip. While other Medical Spas might charge less per unit injected, they make up for it with a flat injection fee. They charge this fee regardless of how many units they injected.
What To Expect During Botox Treatment
Prior to your Botox treatment, we’ll have a consultation with you to go over the following details:
- How familiar you are with Botox
- What do you want to achieve with Botox injections? Occasionally we discover that an alternative treatment might be a better fit. Often a complimentary treatment will boost or enhance the results of Botox.
After the initial discussion, we take pre-treatment photographs. These pictures will be of your face at rest and while making specific facial movements. Then we begin your Botox treatment.
Before we make a single injection, we ask every client if they would like a topical numbing agent applied to the areas being treated. Most people find the injections to be only mildly uncomfortable, but our clients have always appreciated their availability.
Using a tiny 31-gauge needle, we inject Botox into the appropriate muscles. Most patients will experience about five minutes of swelling after the treatment. Mild bruising may occur. There is no downtime, so the client can return to their regular activities immediately.
In two weeks, we have a follow-up appointment. By this time, the client has achieved the full effects of the Botox injections. We take pictures of the results and compare them to those we took at the initial appointment. If the results do not meet our expectations or the clients, we have a discussion. An important question we go over is whether more Botox is the way to improve the outcome. If so, we provide additional Botox injections at no further cost to the client.
What You Need to Know About Your Botox Treatment
Like any other treatment, Botox side effects may occur. These include:
- One or more minor bruises
- Incomplete achievement of the desired effect
- An undesirable change in eyebrow position
- Transient headaches or mild respiratory congestion
The effects of Botox injections last between three to four months for most clients. For a lucky few, the effects last up to six months, while others can expect wrinkle reduction to last for about two months.
Botox injections are most often used in the upper face, but we use it in other areas of the face too. These include around the nose and lips, the jawline, and the neck. Besides wrinkles, there are other uses for Botox. It is an excellent treatment for Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating. We inject Botox in the underarms and other areas that experience unwanted perspiration. Botox also does an excellent job of preventing migraine headaches and treating TMJ symptoms and teeth grinding. Contact Medical Cosmetics today and schedule a complimentary consultation to discover if Botox injections are right for you!
