Seven Botox Questions Plastic Surgeons Always Get Asked7 min read
MELANIE SCHWARZ
Melanie Schwarz is a registered nurse who works closely with each of our patients to provide the quality treatment they deserve for optimal results.
We all know that one person who seems to have seen it all. There are just some people in this world who seem like they have been doing what they do for so long that they are unable to be surprised by anything anymore. These are the people you want on your team in the zombie apocalypse, and interestingly enough, the ones you’d trust to do any sort of aesthetically altering operation.
When entrusting the outcome of your facial features to a doctor, this is the sort of person you find comforting: one who’s seen it all, and has answers to all your questions. That is why we’re here to be that for you, to sum up the most commonly asked questions that plastic surgeons get asked about Botox. This way, when it’s time for your Botox treatment, you are confident and ready. So without further ado, here are the seven questions most commonly asked of plastic surgeons about Botox.
1. Just What Is Botox and What Does It Do?
Naturally, if you are considering a Botox injection, you probably want to know what exactly Botox is and what it does. Botox is the commonly known name for a kind of Botulinum toxin, called botulinum toxin A. Botox is actually a neurotoxin that, when injected into a muscle, intercepts the “messages” being delivered via nerves to the muscle. This causes the muscle to lose its ability to contract, which in turn, allows the skin to smooth and wrinkles to fade.
2. Does Botox Hurt?
Whenever anyone is going for a treatment, the first question they find themselves asking and worrying over is: “How much is this going to hurt?” You can relax, because Botox injections are essentially pain free. Often, a minute microneedle is used for the actual injection, taking away the greatest potential pain. From start to finish, Botox injections generally take less time than a blood draw and leave little to no side effects – so you can continue your day with nary a hiccup!
3. What Areas are Safe for Botox Injections?
Botox is considered safe for almost any area of the body; it is most commonly used on the face, to treat current wrinkles and prevent new ones from springing up. Botox is a favorite choice for enhancing and smoothing the face because it can be injected in as small a dose as you’d like, to create a custom, naturally organic new look. Because the structure of your face is directly impacted by the muscles beneath, you’ll want to carefully plan with your doctor just how and when to do your injections.
Botox is not just for combatting wrinkles, however! It’s abilities include lifting the tip of the nose, lips, and eyebrows. It can reduce a smile that is full of gums, and slim down a jawline that is a bit excessively sized.
There are even some more medicinal uses for Botox, including (among many other things) reducing sweating by blocking the nerves that direct the sweat glands. It can be used to bring stability to bladders, calm spastic vocal cords, and relax a severe squint problem. There has even been a rise in using Botox to bring relief to sufferers of chronic migraines.
4. How Long Will It Take for Botox to Take Effect?
If you’re not a fan of delayed gratification, Botox is a great choice for you because you’ll be seeing results as soon as three to five days post operation. The peak of Botox’s influence will be at two to three weeks after your injections, and it will last up to six months (age, the amount injected, and the area treated are all factors that will determine the amount of time your results last).
5. What are the Risks to Consider with a Botox Injection?
There is not a single medical procedure that does not involve some measure of risk; however, some are safer than others. First of all, make sure your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, and that your Botox treatment will be administered in a professional environment. Using needles causes a risk for possible bruising, infection, or bleeding. Because your facial muscles are being targeted, it is possible that some side effects occur on other facial muscles, causing droopy eyelids or other symptoms.
Overusing Botox, by going too frequently and too much can cause the injected muscles to deteriorate. It is crucial to wait until the previous injections have worn off totally before going back to your doctor for a “refresh.”
But working with a qualified surgeon and their nursing staff will help ensure that you have the safest experience possible. Dr. Phillip Chang at Aesthetica in Leesburg, Va., is aboard certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a diamond Allergan provider of Botox.
6. How Much Does Botox Cost?
Talk to your doctor about how much your treatment plan will cost as total costs vary from person to person. Botox is one of the most affordable cosmetic enhancements offered, but be wary of any special offers or coupons that seem too good to be true…generally, they are. It’s far more important to choose a doctor you can trust and communicate well with, rather than saving a few dollars and ending up with immovable facial features.
7. What Happens If I Stop Getting Botox?
If you decide, for any reason, to stop going for Botox injections, it is a common fear that you will look worse than you did to begin with! This is a fear without grounds. Once the Botox wears off any wrinkles or loose skin you had to begin with will reappear, but your face will only regress to it’s original state: not any further. Of course, because you have gotten used to that newly rejuvenated face beaming back at you from the mirror, you may look less fondly on any wrinkles or other blemishes that return.
Ready to start your Botox treatments?
Ready to go for your first Botox treatment? We invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
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