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What Is Botox?
Botox is a prescription medicine that a cosmetic specialist injects into your muscles. It temporarily blocks the nerves that make your facial muscles contract. The process improves the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines caused by age or facial expressions. Botox also treats other health conditions, such as certain types of movement disorders, severe underarm sweating, or overactive bladder.
Botox improves:
- forehead wrinkles,
- wrinkles shaped like an “11” in between your eyebrows,
- crow’s feet around your eyes,
- frown lines,
- drooping eyebrow skin, and
- other wrinkles and fine lines on your face.
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
Our cosmetic specialists at U of U Health are highly qualified with training and experience beyond regional plastic surgery services. We offer Botox consultations and procedures at the same appointment. We have a range of specialists trained to perform this procedure, from plastic surgeons to physician assistants.
Is Botox a Filler?
Botox is not a filler. It is a muscle relaxer made from a toxin called bacterium clostridium botulinum and is available through prescription only for medicinal use. This includes nonsurgical cosmetic procedures like facial injections.
Fillers, also called dermal fillers, are made from natural and synthetic ingredients such as collagen. They do not require a prescription and their use is unregulated.
Both Botox and fillers are injectables used to treat wrinkles on the face. Their effects last about three to 12 months and require routine appointments to maintain the desired results.
Xeomin vs. Dysport vs. Botox
Choosing Xeomin, Dysport, or Botox depends on your desired result and medical history. All three of these injectables are forms of the botulinum toxin. They produce results that last about the same length of time (three to six months), but each type has a different cost and amount needed to be effective.
- Xeomin—This injection contains no additives. Botulinum toxin is the only ingredient. It requires fewer units than Dysport to be effective. Xeomin takes about four days for results to show. The price is about the same as Botox: $10-$12 per injection.
- Dysport—This injection type is more likely to migrate out of the injection site. This can help reduce the appearance of nearby tiny wrinkles, or it can cause problems like a droopy eye if used too close to your eyebrow. Dysport requires more units to be effective than Xeomin and Botox. This injection acts quickly and shows results in 24 hours. It costs less than Xeomin or Botox, but Dysport requires more injections per site.
- Botox—This injection is less likely to migrate out of the injection site and is the most effective. Botox takes about three days for results to become visible. The price is $10-$12 per injection.
Talk to one of our cosmetic specialists trained in Botox and other injectables to determine the best product for your needs.
Who Should Get Botox?
Botox is a good option for people who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on their face. If you’re experiencing serious health issues, consult with your provider first.
Can You Get Botox While Breastfeeding?
Medical experts recommend against getting Botox while breastfeeding or pregnant.
When Is the Best Time to Get Botox?
Many people choose to get Botox in their mid to late 30s. Facial wrinkles adn fine lines first become apparent and more prominent by the end of your 30s. When you notice deep horizontal lines in your forehead, vertical lines inside each eyebrow, or excessive crow’s feet around your eyes, it might be time to start Botox injections to reduce these visible signs of aging.
Botox Cost
When administered by a plastic surgeon at U of U Health, each Botox unit costs $12. A typical treatment consists of 30 units, or a total of $360. One of our specially trained physician assistants (PA) is also qualified to perform the procedure, and their rate is $10 per unit. The total cost for a typical Botox treatment done by a PA is $300.
Call and tell our appointment scheduler what type of Botox treatment you want. They can find out the number of units you’ll need and estimate the total cost for your treatment.
Insurance does not cover Botox injections for cosmetic enhancements.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
For standard Botox procedures, you only need one appointment. Tell our scheduler what type of wrinkles, lines, or other imperfections you’d like treated, and they will schedule your appointment accordingly. Once you’re in the office with a plastic surgeon or PA, they will determine the number of injections and administer them the same day.
Botox Injections Procedure
A Botox treatment is an outpatient procedure. It is minimally invasive, mildly painful, and requires little aftercare. Our provider will ask what result you would like and discuss your goals. The procedure takes about an hour. You can drive yourself to and from your appointment.
Does Botox Hurt?
You may feel some discomfort, but the needles are thin and small, so no pain medication is necessary. Topical numbing medicine is sometimes used if you frequently get Botox injections. Some patients choose to take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol before coming to their appointment.
How to Prepare
Before your procedure, tell your doctor about any medications you’re currently taking, such as muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, or allergy medicine. Blood thinners can increase your risk of bleeding or bruising during Botox treatment, so you may need to stop taking them several days before your appointment.
Let our provider know about any past Botox procedures you’ve had and the amount of Botox you received. This gives us a baseline amount of Botox to use.
Botox Side Effects
Short-term side effects of Botox include:
- mild bruising,
- facial muscles growing weaker,
- decreasing range of facial expressions,
- toxin that migrates and infiltrates nearby areas, and
- nervous system effects (this is rare).
How Long Does It Take for Botox to Work?
The injections usually begin working within one to three days after your treatment. It’s normal to still have full function of your facial muscles immediately after your treatment. It can take up to 1 week to get full results of the treatment.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The results from your procedure usually last about three to six months. The effects gradually fade over time, so establishing a routine maintenance program for receiving additional treatments is a good idea.
Botox Aftercare
Since Botox is minimally invasive, it requires little to no aftercare. You can return to your normal activities, including household tasks, exercise, and work immediately after your procedure.
What Not to Do after Botox
Do not massage the area where you received the injections. This could cause the toxin to spread to other places. No other special precautions are needed.
How Long after Botox Can You Lay Down?
You can lay down immediately after receiving Botox. Your body position will not affect the overall result of the injections.
Exercise after Botox
You can do mild to moderate exercise immediately after your Botox procedure. Intense exercise routines should be delayed a full 24 hours after your treatment. There is no need to physically rest during the recovery period.
Make an Appointment with U of U Health
Call 801-587-2173 to make an appointment. You do not need a provider’s referral to receive a Botox treatment.