Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the United States, but Botox continues to inspire fear and confusion in certain cautious corners. At REVIVE MedSpa we have complied some of our client’s FAQ into this helpful post.

But what is Botox?

Botox is a bacterial toxin botulin, used medically to treat certain muscular conditions.

How can I benefit from the use of Botox?

Well that it all depends. Botox can be used for a variety of reasons and they are all not cosmetic. Ultimately, you have to ask yourself what the goal is you are looking to achieve.  Is your goal to look more youthful? Are you at a young age and want to prevent any signs of aging? Maybe you are looking to seek relief from one of the many physical conditions that Botox can help treat. Botox can help with all of these situations and more. How? The collagen and hyaluronic acid responsible for keeping your skin elastic and youthful are depleted over time. Additionally repeated facial expressions such as smiling, laughing, and frowning augments the damage by making the fine lines and wrinkles around the sides of your mouth and eyes more pronounced. When Botox is injected into the targeted areas, the neurotoxin interferes with the nerve stimulation of the muscle responsible for excess facial expressions, by doing so Botox will temporarily reduce or prevent horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines, and crow’s feet.

Botox is also used by many Americans seeking relief from a wide range of medical conditions such as:  

Blepharospasms (eyelid spasms)- A progressive neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms of the eyelid muscles.

Strabismus (crossed eyes)- The most common cause of lazy eye is an imbalance in the muscles responsible for positioning the eye.

Hypersalivation (drooling)- Is an excess of saliva in the mouth, which may spill out over the lip.

Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)- In this condition, excessive sweating occurs even when the temperature is not hot, and you are not exerting yourself.

Chronic migraines- If you experience migraines more than 15 days a month, Botox injections may help reduce headache frequency.

Bell Palsy- A condition in which the muscles on one side of your face become weak or paralyzed. It affects only one side of the face at a time, causing it to droop or become stiff on that side.

  Be sure to ask your Nurse Injector or Physician beforehand what effects Botox injections can have on your system in particular. REVIVE MedSpa offers complimentary consultations to answer all your questions.

How much does Botox cost?

Unfortunately, your insurance more than likely will not cover your Botox injections if they are for cosmetic purposes, such as wrinkles or to re-contour your jawline. However, if you are seeking treatment for therapeutic reasons, such as to treat chronic migraines, then your insurance may be able to cover your treatment. Speak with your health insurance representative for your provider’s policy. Botox cost per unit is determined by the clinic. Each patient will require an individual assessment and calculation of the number of units of Botox required to achieve the desired outcome. If you engage in Botox treatment earlier to prevent wrinkle formation you may require less Botox and reduce your costs. Treatment of existing wrinkles may require higher doses, however.

What can I expect after Botox treatment and how long does it last?

Botox is extremely popular because of its ease of application and convenience within minutes of having your Botox injection administered. While strenuous activity is discouraged, you can maintain your normal routine of work and errands with little discomfort. There may be minor side effects such as redness and swelling in areas of treatment; however, this is normal and subsides quickly in most cases. In extreme cases there has been some bruising, again, this may reside within as little as a week. Some quick tips for the best results are:  

Try not to continuously rub or touch the area of injection; you can suddenly spread the Botox to other areas of the face.

Avoid lying down after injections as this can cause further complications.

Do not drink alcohol prior to or after for 24 to 48 hours.

As mentioned, strenuous activity is discouraged. It is best to plan on having an extra set of hands around if you expect to have a busy day following.

Before you ingest NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aspirin, and Blood Thinners) be sure to contact your providing Nurse Injector to make sure they will not conflict with your injection.

  Within 3 to 4 days, you will begin noticing a difference in the injected area. It takes a total of 14 days to begin to see the maximum results. Botox is a temporary muscle relaxer, so your results will only be temporary. Typically, the results of Botox will last for up to 3 to 4 months.

If you have any questions or are ready for a complimentary consult reach out to REVIVE to schedule an appointment