These are the top 5 questions to ask your plastic surgeon about Botox®. Botox® is a non-surgical injectable treatment made from the botulinum toxin is and one of the most widely used cosmetic therapies available today. Botox® injections eliminate facial lines and wrinkles and can be used to prevent wrinkles from occurring in the future.
Although you might already be familiar with the basic concept, you probably still have a few questions about Botox®. If you are thinking about having a facial rejuvenation procedure, Botox® is definitely an option to consider. During your consultation, arm yourself with the following list of questions to make sure you leave well-informed.
1. How long does a single Botox® treatment last?
According to the manufacturer, the results of Botox® last between four and six months, at least. However, results can vary between different patients and the location treated. The skill of your surgeon makes a huge difference as well, since an experienced doctor will know exactly where to place the injection to get the best results, and avoid serious complications. Some reports suggest that patients who undergo multiple treatments see that the effects last longer once they have had several previous Botox® injections.
2. What are the long-term side effects of Botox®?
Because Botox® injections include the botulinum toxin they were subjected to extensive, thorough safety testing prior to receiving FDA approval. So, there are no major safety concerns that generally apply to this drug. Millions of patients use it annually with no serious side effects reported. With that said, you should be aware of the risks that do apply, and discuss with your plastic surgeon any concerns you have Botox®.
3. Will Botox® permanently affect my facial muscles?
The best evidence suggests that Botox® treatments are fully reversible and that normal function will eventually return to all treated muscles. This is partly due to the fact that Botox® treatments use such a tiny amount of the active toxin with just enough activity to temporarily inactivate the muscle fibers.
4. How often should I get Botox® injections?
According to the manufacturer, you should expect the effects of Botox® to last about four months. After this time, the muscle inactivation may begin to fade and the effects will be less noticeable. Wrinkles that were eliminated by Botox® may start to reemerge. Therefore, many physicians recommend having Botox® injections at intervals slightly shorter than four months so that you never experience fading of your facial rejuvenation therapy.
5. How is Botox® different from other injectable cosmetic treatments?
Botox® and similar toxin-based treatments are fundamentally different from injectable fillers such as collagen or dermal fillers. While filler treatments restore volume and skin smoothness by adding material under the skin, Botox® works instead by inactivating the facial muscles. These muscles are normally active at a low level, constantly pulling on the skin and increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By inactivating the muscles, Botox® treatments temporarily eliminate this cause of wrinkling, producing results that many patients find highly effective.
To schedule a consultation with one of our New York Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons, please contact our Concierge Patient Coordinators at (845) 454-8025 or email us at info@NYfaceMD.com. We proudly serve New York, the Hudson Valley, Westchester County and the tri-state area.
