The Botox Basics – Your Questions Answered

Botox - Your Questions Answered

We are thrilled to offer Botox to our patients! Whether you have used Botox before or are considering whether you should, we want to provide you with the answers to a few common questions we get asked about Botox. After being stuck indoors all winter, are you ready to head into spring looking refreshed and putting your best face forward? We hope this helps to provide you with the tools you need to decide if this is the right treatment for you.

What is Botox?

The name Botox is a brand name derived from the full name botulinum toxin. Other brand names you may hear include Xeomin and Dysport. These products are made from botulinum toxin. This substance was originally found to paralyze muscles by blocking nerve signals. The muscles used to make facial expressions are then more relaxed. With time this helps decrease wrinkles formed by frequent muscle movement.

What is it used for?

Botox has primarily been used for its ability to decrease the appearance of facial muscles. The most popular areas addressed are the frown lines between eyebrows, forehead lines and crow’s feet on the corners of the eyes. Some people like to address nose wrinkling which we call bunny lines or relax lines around their mouth.

Is it only used for cosmetic reasons?

Absolutely not! Botox is used in medicine for a variety of conditions including migraines, overactive bladder, overactive sweating and chronic pain to just name a few.

Is Botox safe?

Botox is considered a relatively safe treatment but should always be performed by a trained medical professional. Having a medical professional perform your treatment decreases the chances of unwanted side effects.

What are the side effects of Botox?

Risks include bleeding and bruising at the injection site. These are the most common experienced by patients. Potential allergic reaction with itching and swelling although this is rare. Potential side effects will be discussed with you at your appointment with a licensed medical professional.

How does getting a the procedure feel?

After discussing your goals and performing an assessment of your facial muscles, your practitioner will clean the injection sites of any makeup. They will then perform the injections with a small needle. Each injection takes a couple seconds, and most people feel little to no pain! Immediately after your injection you may have small, raised areas that will resolve after 10-15 minutes. There is no down time, and most people tolerate Botox without any discomfort.

How do I know what areas I should address with Botox?

what areas I should address with Botox?

If wrinkles bother you, then they bother us! At your appointment, your practitioner will discuss areas that you are concerned with. After discussion and an assessment, your practitioner may suggest other areas based on your shared goals. We always strive for a natural appearance and always offer touch ups after initial treatment if you feel your concerns were not adequately addressed.

What if I have concerns other than wrinkles?

That is the great thing about our team at Jersey Shore Aesthetics and Wellness! We work with a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, and aestheticians to address all your needs from laser treatments, skin care, facials, IV hydration and much more. We feel that you benefit best from a comprehensive approach that addresses all your skincare concerns.

Still have questions? We would love to meet with you to help you put your best face forward. Contact Us for a skin consultation.