What is Botox?
Botox, or more properly “Botox Cosmetic”, is an injectable wrinkle treatment. It is FDA-approved, and has an outstanding safety record.

I’ve got wrinkles from frowning – can I have Botox?
Yes, Botox Cosmetic works very well for this. Other classic patterns include treatment of forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet.

But my wrinkles are really deep. Will Botox work for me?
I would need to assess your situation. Botox Cosmetic is designed for “dynamic” wrinkles – those that happen with motion. If you have “static” wrinkles – ones that are present even when your face is completely relaxed, you may need a combination treatment. For deep wrinkles, sometimes a filler material, like Restylane, can be used to “fill in the valley”, and Botox can then be used to relax the muscles that caused the wrinkle to form in the first place. In some cases, facelift surgery may be the best option.

How do I prepare for a Botox treatment?
If you are a healthy person who doesn’t take any medications, very little preparation is needed. Just make an appointment and come on in! If you are on medications that thin your blood (such as aspirin, arthritis medications or coumadin), this can increase your risk of bruising or bleeding from the injection – so we’ll need to sort that out ahead of time.

How long does Botox last?
Each person is a little different, but on average 3-4 months. Think of Botox Cosmetic like any typical drug – the higher a dose that is used, the longer the effect lasts. Some people have very large, well developed muscles of facial expression – and they require a bigger dose to get a lasting effect. After 2 – 3 treatments, we are able to sort out your “pattern” – how you respond to a usual dose, and maximize the effect for you.

Can Botox be used to lift your eyebrow?
Yes – by carefully placing the Botox Cosmetic doses in certain muscle groups, and not in others, you can obtain a very nice shape of the eyebrow.

I’m worried that I won’t be able to make any expressions at all. I wouldn’t like that.
I agree – I prefer it when the Botox is used to “calm down” the wrinkles. I dislike the immobile, “frozen” look that some celebrities have been spotted with recently. Again, this is a case where “more is not better”; one needs to use good judgment – this is artistic part of a Botox Cosmetic treatment.

Is there anybody that can’t have Botox?
Yes – if you are pregnant or nursing, you shouldn’t have the treatment. If you have a known allergy to Botox Cosmetic, you should avoid the product. Also, there are some neurological disorders, like multiple sclerosis, where Botox should be avoided.