Frequently Asked Questions

Botox is a neuromodulator (form of botulinum toxin type A) that is injected into targeted treatment areas using an ultra-fine needle. It works by blocking the nerve signals needed for facial muscles to contract. It’s the repetitious contraction of facial muscles that causes expression lines and wrinkles. Once injected, the neuromodulator relaxes the muscles and decreases their movement to reduce the appearance of lines or wrinkles in the area. You will see your results gradually over 3-7 days following injection.

Botox can be used to address lines and wrinkles on different facial areas, including the forehead, eye area (crow’s feet), and lip lines. It may be injected to soften dimpling of the chin. Botox can also be injected into the muscles of the jaw to help alleviate pain from teeth grinding or TMJ or for a jaw slimming effect. Some of these treatment areas may be considered off-label.

Botox treatments are quick with minimal discomfort. The treatment requires no anesthesia or recovery time. Many people get Botox during their lunch hours and are able to return to work right after their appointment.

The procedure is not considered painful. Most patients report a brief period of discomfort during the injection, which does not persist once the procedure is complete.

While the experience of each patient may differ, it usually takes 3-5 days to see the effects of Botox. For some, it may take up to 2 weeks to realize the final effects.

The results of Botox typically last between 3-5 months from the date of injection. Over time the body metabolizes the Botox, leading to the slow return of muscle movement in the treatment area. Patients can choose to maintain their Botox results for longer periods by undergoing periodic maintenance treatments every 3-4 months.

Some patients may wonder if they are ‘too young’ or ‘too old’ to try Botox. There is no right or wrong age to start using Botox. Patients should be evaluated and receive a consult by a medical professional prior to treatment. Many millennials are starting to use Botox in their twenties when they first start to notice lines and wrinkles or as a preventative measure.

Yes, Botox is an FDA approved treatment for reversing lines and wrinkles. However, patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neurological diseases should not receive Botox treatments.

A week before the treatment most physicians will advise patients to stop consuming alcohol or taking medications or supplements that thin the blood like aspirin, ibuprofen, Gingko Biloba, or Ginseng. This will help minimize bruising after the procedure.

Side effects from a Botox treatment may include bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness around the injection site, all of which will resolve without intervention after a few days to a week.

While Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin treat the same symptoms in a similar manner there are differences between these products. Which one we choose together will all depend on your goal for treatment and history with product use.

The procedure varies with the filler your nurse practitioner will use, the part of the body to be treated, and your medical history. Here are some general guidelines about what you can expect:

Most filler treatments take between 15 and 30 minutes and require one office visit.

Before getting the injections, you may need ice, an anesthetic applied to the skin, or a nerve block (an injection). This varies with the filler and area to be treated. Hands generally do not need anesthesia; lips often require a nerve block. 

Your nurse practitioner will inject the filler into the area, often giving you several injections to produce the best results. 

You may feel a stinging or burning sensation as the filler is injected

Most patients can return to their everyday activities after leaving the office. 

To reduce any redness and swelling from the injections, your nurse practitioner may recommend icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you leave.

After leaving the office, you should: 

- Wait until the next day to exercise or do any other strenuous activity.

- Stay out of the sun and do not use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning. 

- Avoid touching the treated area for three days, unless you receive instructions to massage the area.

One filler, poly-L-lactic acid, requires you to gently massage the treated area for about 5 minutes several times a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Your nurse practitioner will tell you if you need to massage the area. 

This varies with the filler. Most fillers do not cause downtime. Be sure to ask your nurse practitioner whether you will have downtime.

This also varies with the filler. Most fillers fill the skin, so they produce immediate — or close to immediate — results. A filler also can stimulate your body to produce collagen, but this takes time.

Most fillers offer immediate results