Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is the name brand of an injection that’s made from botulinum toxin, and many patients have questions about Botox cost ahead of their appointment.
Botox injections may be used to treat chronic migraine headaches, excessive sweating, muscle stiffness, and muscle spasms. However, the drug is more commonly associated with cosmetic uses. Certain properties in the injections eliminate wrinkles by relaxing muscles under the skin. Understanding what’s involved with the procedure can help you have a better idea of what to expect from treatments, and working with your medical spa professional can help you plan for the Botox cost.
Why Consider Botox Treatment?
Approved for use by the FDA to temporarily reduce facial wrinkles, Botox injections are typically used to treat dynamic wrinkles. These are the type of wrinkles that result from muscle contractions beneath the skin. The repeated contractions, usually caused by actions such as smiling and laughing, cause lines to form in the skin.
Dynamic wrinkles often appear in the form of frown lines, forehead creases, crow’s feet, neck bands, or upper lip lines. Deeper lines require treatment with a dermal filler. Realistically, treatment with Botox is meant to gradually reduce skin creases. It’s an option worth considering if you’re not seeing results from other skin treatments.
How Botox Works
Delivered in the form of an injection placed just under the skin in the area being treated, Botox injections paralyze muscles by blocking nerves, which then causes muscles to relax. Each muscle that is injected is no longer able to contract, resulting in a temporary parallelization.
For cosmetic purposes, when muscles loosen after the Botox treatment, fine lines usually disappear. Over time, the dermis (thick layer of skin with tissues and nerves) heals and the new tissues sometimes become thicker, minimizing the future appearance of lines when the treatment wears off.
Preparing for Botox Treatment
Before scheduling Botox injections, let the doctor know if you’ve had previous injections within the past 3-4 months. Discuss what results you’ve had from prior injections and talk about your expectations to ensure you’re on the same page with your doctor before getting started.
Inform the doctor performing the treatment about any medications you may be currently taking, especially if these medications include sleeping aids, muscle relaxants, or allergy medications. If you’re on blood thinners, you may be asked to stop taking them prior to your procedure to minimize the risk of bleeding or bruising. Let your doctor know if you’re pregnant or have any medical conditions that may prevent you from having Botox treatment right now.
You can also discuss Botox cost. Your medical professional will go over the number of injections and typical cost. In some cases, there will be special pricing available to take advantage of.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Most individuals who receive Botox injections are able to tolerate the treatment. Any discomfort that may be experienced is often temporary and minimal. You may wish to have your skin numbed before the treatment, depending on the area that’s being treated and your sensitivity to the injections. Numbing can be done with topical anesthesia, the application of ice, or with a technique called vibration anesthesia that involves massaging the area to be treated.
Botox injections are performed with a thin needle. During each injection, small amounts of Botox are injected into the skin. Multiple injections are often required per session, with the exact number determined by factors such as the size of area to be treated and the thickness of the skin in that area.
After Your Botox Injections
Most patients can get back to their normal routine almost immediately after treatment. Avoid rubbing the affected area after each treatment to allow the skin to naturally adjust. The full effects of the Botox injections may take a few days to become evident, depending on how many injections were needed for treatment, the extent of the skin issues, and the size of the area that was treated.
The results from Botox injections typically last anywhere from three to six months. In order to maintain the desired effect, treatments will need to be repeated at some point. Smile and frown lines tend to return with greater frequency since these facial muscles are used more often. Your medical spa professional will provide general guidelines based on the specific type of procedure you have performed.
Many patients have positive experiences with Botox and enjoy the benefits they receive from the process. Ideal candidates for the procedure are between 18 and 65 years of age and in generally good overall health. Complications are rare and Botox injections are considered perfectly safe for many people. If you’re new to the Botox experience, it’s a good idea to start with an initial consultation to determine what results you may enjoy from treatments and discuss Botox cost.
