Botox & neuromodulators

Botox is done in the clinic, and performed with small injections using a tiny needle. No anesthesia is required.

Usually Botox treatment is only 10-15 minutes. The injections are typically not painful. Afterwards the treated areas may have temporary red spots (like mosquito bites) that last a few minutes.

Botox and other neuromodulators (referred to as “BTA”) are generally very safe.

Pregnancy and Nursing Mothers: There are no definitive studies that demonstrate whether using BTA can harm a developing baby. It is not known whether BTA can be found in human milk. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should NOT get Botox/BTA treatments. Please tell your doctor if you are or could be pregnant or are nursing.

While generally very safe and effective, BTA does have potential risks and side effects. These include:

Common Side Effects

• Redness at treated areas: The treated area may have tiny red spots for a few minutes (up to an hour) after injection.

• Incomplete Result: It’s possible that you won’t be satisfied with the result or that your results may not be complete. You may want more injections to get the results you want. However, the results may continue to not meet your goals.

• Asymmetry: It’s normal for your face and eyelids to be different from side to side. There may also be differences in how parts of your face respond to BTA injections.

• Migraine Headaches: BTA can be used in the forehead to treat migraine headaches. The results of such treatments can vary from person to person. Your migraines may or may not get better after using BTA.

• Long-Term Effects: Your appearance naturally changes over time. How your face and eyelids look can change for many reasons, including aging, weight loss or gain, sun exposure, pregnancy, and menopause. These changes are not related to BTA injections. Using BTA does not stop you from aging. It does not permanently tighten or smooth your skin. You may need other treatments or surgery to help look the way you want.

Uncommon & Rare Potential Complications

• Paralysis of Other Muscles: Although the doctor always does his or her best to weaken only the desired muscles, it’s possible that the BTA will move and weaken other muscles. This is a potential complication that is rare. You might notice some muscle weakness in other areas. The BTA might result in drooping eyelids, trouble swallowing, and trouble smiling normally. This risk is rare and may be reduced if you avoid rubbing or massaging the injection areas for at least one hour after treatment.

• Eye Issues: Some people have trouble closing their eyes after BTA injections. This is a potential complication that is rare.

• Eyelid Ectropion: Your lower eyelids may become very loose or droopy after BTA treatment if that area is injected.

• Antibodies to BTA: Your body may form antibodies to BTA. This means that future BTA injections may not work as well. It is unknown whether these antibodies can have other effects on your health.

• Neuromuscular Disorders: If you have any of the following disorders, you may be at higher risk of problems or side effects from BTA: peripheral motor neuropathic disorders (pain, weakness, or numbness in your hands and feet), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and motor neuropathies that affect your nerve cells.

Due to these potential risks and complications, it is recommended to choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.

There is no recovery.

For an hour after the injection, patients should avoid rubbing the sites and strenuous exercise including swimming, running, tennis, and yoga (or other activities where you might be upside-down).

Botox typically begins to take effect within 3 to 5 days, but the full results may not be visible for up to 2 weeks.

Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months for most individuals, though the duration can vary from person to person.

Depending on a patient’s individual concerns, BTA can be combined with almost any other type of facial treatment including lasers, peels, and dermal fillers.