What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin Type A, or Botox as it is commercially known, is an injectable medication used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by aging or trauma.
Deciding if Botox is Right For You
As with any medical procedure, careful consideration should be given to the risks associate with the procedure and understanding the potential benefits one can expect form undergoing Botox treatment. Healthy patients wishing to improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without undergoing invasive surgical procedures are excellent candidates for Botox therapy.
About the Procedure
Botox treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure. The entire process is typically performed in less than 30 minutes in the skincare clinic, where a trained physician gently injects the Botox solution into the desired area.
Patients can expect to see results from the Botox treatment within 1-2 days, while maximum effect is typically achieved in 1-4 weeks. Since the effects of Botox therapy are temporary, patients can expect to see a decline in the effectiveness of the treatment over a 3-4 month course.
Potential Botox Side Effects & Risks
As with any medication, there is a potential for side effects when using Botox. Some of these include:
- Rash
- Hives
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Weakness
- Mild Nausea
- Transient numbness
- Bruising at the injection site
- Mild injection pain and localized edema
- Temporary weakness/paralysis of surrounding musculature
Although these side effects can be serious, most are rare and typically temporary.
There is also a slight risk of asymmetrical effect with the use of Botox due to mitigating factors, such as the condition of underlying musculature or migration of toxin to unwanted areas.
Botox therapy is not recommended for patients with existing neuromuscular disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis, or other significant systemic or disabling conditions.
Botox Recovery
In order to ensure maximum benefit from the procedure, a few basic steps are recommended during the recovery period:
- Apply ice to the injection site and treated area for up to 2-hours post-procedure
- Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24-hours
- Avoid rubbing the treatment area for 48 hours to avoid migration of medication
- Remain upright for 4 hours post-procedure
The Cost of Botox
The cost of the procedure can range from $225 to $450, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Learn More About Botox Therapy
To learn more about the procedure, schedule a consultation with one of our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons by contacting out offices at (303) 578-4193.
