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Frequently Asked Questions About Having Botox Injections At Our Tampa Office
What is Botox Cosmetic® ?
Botox Cosmetic is a treatment for wrinkles that are caused by repeated movements. The most common treated areas include:
- lines around the eyes known as crow’s feet caused by squinting or smiling
- the horizontal lines across the forehead caused by raising the eyebrows
- the lines and folding of skin between the eyebrows caused by frowning
Is it Safe?
Yes! Botox Cosmetic® has been available for 20 years, and has been used to treat many diseases. In fact, it is used in children as young as 2 years old to treat cerebral palsy. It has been proven to be very safe through extensive testing and research. Botox Cosmetic ® is an approved drug used to treat patients for cosmetic wrinkles.
Will it give me food poisoning / Is it Botulism? Isn't Botox Cosmetic® a toxin / poison?
No, it is not toxic to you. No it is not a poison. Botox Cosmetic® is not botulism, and it will not cause food poisoning. To clarify for you, Botulism is an illness. Botox Cosmetic® is a natural, purified protein. It is an approved drug that is used in VERY tiny dosages. It comes from a naturally occurring bacterium – similar to how Penicillin comes from a mold.
How do I know it won't be toxic to me?
Typically, for a cosmetic treatment, you may receive fewer than 100 units. To make someone remotely sick, you would have to receive OVER 35 times this dose all at one time which would NEVER happen (plus it would cost over $42,000 – absolutely impossible!) You are receiving VERY TINY doses.
How does it work?
Botox Cosmetic® works by simply relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to create a smooth and refreshed appearance. It blocks a chemical your muscle needs to contract, so if they cannot contract, they relax.
How long does the procedure take?
Generally, after the consultation, the procedure only takes up to 15 minutes. Since there is no down time – you can do it on your lunchtime – and no one would know you have had it done!
How quickly does it work?
It can take up to 2 weeks for it to take full effect. Usually we ask patients to wait for the 14 days to pass in order to fully see the results.
How is it done?
It is injected with a very tiny needle (it only feels like a little pinch).
My Botox Cosmetic® treatment didn't work!
Botox Cosmetic® takes up to 14 days to take full effect.
If your treatment was done LESS than 2 weeks ago, you need to wait until the full 2 weeks has passed and then call if you have any concerns or come in for your follow up appointment. If your treatment has been MORE than 2 weeks ago, you should be assessed by the physician to see if you require a little more product.
How long does Botox Cosmetic® last? Is it permanent?
No - Botox Cosmetic® is not permanent. It lasts between 3-4 months on average but everyone is different. If you follow the Doctor's directions to have your first 3 treatments promptly every 3 months (without waiting in between) your next few treatments will start to last longer than 3 months. Most patients who get their first 3 treatments done “back to back” every 3 months, find that:
- their next treatment lasts 4 months
- then the next treatment lasts 5 months
- and the following treatment lasts 6 months
- Patients who stay on this prompt treatment schedule can stabilize their treatments at
approximately 2 times per year (saves you money!)
Does it hurt?
Most patients say the injections feel similar to a little pinch, although everyone is different. We usually hear patients say, “Is that all?”
Is it going to be worse when it wears off?
No! Your face will never get worse if you stop using Botox Cosmetic® or when it wears off. At the very minimum, you will simply return to where you started. If you use Botox Cosmetic ® for a number of years then you stop – your muscles learn to relax and therefore, you will end up looking a little better than when you originally started.
How much does it cost?
The cost of treatment varies by each patient and a personal consultation can give you a specific amount. We charge $12.00 per unit and the number of units that you will need, can be given to you during a consultation with the Doctor.
I don't want to look like a mask without expression – will that happen?
No. You should get the look you want – as natural as you want. Most people simply want to look NATURAL, RELAXED, and REFRESHED, without looking “done”. In the experienced hands of our Doctor – patients typically say that no one knows they had anything done. Friends simply say that they look well rested and great!
What is a unit?
A unit of Botox Cosmetic® is simply a very tiny measurement. The exact number of units you require (to achieve the look you want) will be discussed with the Doctor.
What are the side effects?
Side effects are RARE and NOT PERMANENT. Rarely, there can be some minor bruising (which is easily covered with makeup) or slight short term headache. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.
I have heard that you can get a drooping eyelid – is it true?
Side effects are rare and are not permanent and this can include a drooping eyelid. The incidence of these side effects is less than 1% and will last from only a few days to a few weeks. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.
Where does it go in my body?
Botox Cosmetic® stays local to the muscle where it is injected. After the injection, Botox Cosmetic ® is simply metabolized and broken down into natural byproducts within a few hours.
Why do I have to come back for a follow up appointment?
Botox Cosmetic® has what is called a “Dose Response curve”. This means we need to inject a certain amount of product to get your desired result. The dose is based on our experience and the size and strength of your muscles. If you are slightly under the dose response curve, you will not see the result you want – that's why we want to see you in a couple of weeks because you may need a slight “top up”. We could dose you higher from the beginning but then you might spend too much money.
Is there any medical condition that would stop me from having Botox Cosmetic® ?
Botox Cosmetic ® should not be given to pregnant women, nursing mothers or people who have myasthenia gravis or other muscle diseases.
Is there anything I should not do after receiving the Botox Cosmetic® injections?
You should not touch or rub your face for 4 hours after you have received the injections. You should also not lie down for 4 hours to avoid inadvertently moving the Botox Cosmetic ® into a muscle we did not want to inject.
What should I do after receiving the Botox Cosmetic® injections?
You want to “frown, raise, frown, raise” 30 times or so over the next hour after receiving your product as it helps the muscle pick up the Botox Cosmetic ® and gives a better effect.
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