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BOTOX & Dermal Fillers

• What is Botox Cosmetic?
• How does Botox Cosmetic work?
• What are the side effects of Botox treatment?
• What does BOTOX® cost?
• How long does the BOTOX® injection procedure take, and how long to recover?
• Does the injection hurt?
• Is it safe?
• What will I look like after the treatment?
• I'm afraid of looking freaky like some people in Hollywood, can that happen?

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the product name for Allergans cosmetic wrinkle removing drug. Botox is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). Botox is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). Botox can also be used to improve wrinkles lateral to the eyes (“crow’s feet”), wrinkles around the mouth, dimpling in the chin and prominent neck muscles under the chin area.

Botox injections are also used for treating migraine headaches and can be used to treat eye lid "twitching" and spasm.

Botox has been used since 1989 for treatment of spasm of eye muscles causing visual problems. It has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for unwanted muscle spasm, such as the kind that causes wrinkles.

Within a few hours to a couple of days after Botox is injected into the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of Botox are not permanent and typically last anywhere from three to eight months. Typically the more times a person receives injections the longer the injections last. By injecting the toxin directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk of Botox spreading to other areas of the body is greatly diminished.

How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?

In simple terms, When Botox is injected into the muscles surrounding the eyes or chin, for instance, those muscles can not "scrunch up" for a period of time. They are paralyzed. So the wrinkles surrounding these muscles temporarily go away.

Technically speaking, Botox is injected directly into the corrugator and procerus muscles. It then goes on to enter the nerve endings to block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that causes muscles to contract. Botox works to block the release of acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle doesn't receive the message to contract. Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.

What are the side effects of BOTOX® treatment?

Any side effect from a Botox injection can typically only last 6 months at maximum, because Botox treatments are temporary. People with neuromuscular disorders need special consideration before having a Botox treatment, and we do not treat patients with significant medical problems such as cardiovascular disease and poorly controlled diabetics.

Many people feel a product derived from a toxin must be dangerous, but Botox is in fact very safe, and has been in use since 1989 without demonstrating any long term negative effects.

Side effects of BOTOX injection include bruising at the site of the injection. Other side effects are headache (13.3%), respiratory infection (3.5%), temporary eyelid droop (3.2%), nausea (3.0%), and flu-like syndrome (2.0%). In rare occurrences Botox can spread into neighboring muscles and cause temporary paralysis.

What does BOTOX® cost?

We charge $10.00-12.00 per unit for Botox Cosmetic. This way you get what you pay for, rather than paying for treatments by the area. The more Botox is injected in an area, the longer the effects can last. Since we have a small office and staff we are able to charge less than other practices while providing more personal service. We offer group rates and home treatments in which the host of the event typically receives free treatment.

How long does the BOTOX® injection procedure take, and how long to recover?

Performed in the office, the procedure takes about 10 minutes. Since the procedure is non-surgical, no recovery time is needed. After BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment, you can immediately return to work or other activities.

Does the injection hurt?

A very tiny needle is all that is needed for the procedure. Some patients report minor and temporary discomfort from the injection. We have nitrous oxide (laughing gas) available for anyone with extreme pain sensitivity or needle phobias, but we rarely need it for Botox injections.

Is it safe?

Botox cosmetic is considered one of the safest medications that is available to humans. The reason it is so safe is that it only works where it is injected; it does not travel around the body and affect other organs. It binds immediately to the nerve ending where it is injected and only stops the transmission of information from that specific nerve to a specific muscle, which keeps the muscle from tightening.  There is literally no safer medicine than botox, including even medications like tylenol and aspirin.

What will I look like after the treatment?

You may have a small amount of redness at the injection sites, which may last a few minutes or even up to an hour. The appearance of your face after a treatment will be so close to normal that nobody will be able to tell  you have had a procedure. However several days after your treatment the wrinkles in that area will start to soften and disappear.

I'm afraid of looking freaky like some people in Hollywood, can that happen?

No. The freakish fish-faced, horse-lipped, frozen-expression look you see on some celebrities is a result of too much surgical manipulation of the face and perhaps too much dermal filler. Very little of the strange look that you see on tv can be attributed to Botox. You will look better; you will not look worse or strange.

Click here for more information about Botox.

Dermal Fillers

At Essence our dermal filler of choice is JUVÉDERM®

JUVÉDERM®  is the smooth gel filler that we use to instantly smooth away wrinkles around your mouth and nose. With just one treatment, you’ll get smooth and natural-looking results that last up to a year.

JUVÉDERM®  is manufactured using HYLACROSS™ technology, creating a smooth-consistency gel.

Everyone will notice, but no one will know.

Where Does It Work?

Everyone’s skin ages differently and JUVÉDERM®  may be used to rejuvenate multiple problem areas. From smile lines to vertical lip lines, you can smooth away unwanted wrinkles and restore natural contours. Juvederm is typically used in the wrinkles that form from the sides of your nostrils to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial fold), the wrinkles that form from the corners of  your mouth (marionette lines), and to define and enhance lips and reduce the wrinkles in lips. In general Juvederm and dermal fillers are used in the lower half of the face while botox is used in the upper half, although the two products have different actions. Botox stops muscle movement that makes wrinkles while dermal fillers fill wrinkles that are not impacted by muscle movement.

Does it hurt?

It is uncomfortable to have fillers placed, there is no doubt. However, at Essence our fillers are injected only by Dr. Weinman, who is an expert at minimizing discomfort through a combination of anesthetic creams, nerve blocks and liberal use of ice packs. We want to make the experience as comfortable as possible and many of our patients state that it always "hurts less" at our office.

Click here for more information about Juvederm.