Many patients who are just beginning to show signs of facial aging (wrinkles) desire improvement, but can’t afford the cost or time investment required for plastic surgery.
Botulinum Toxin type A is a family of neurotoxins that block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. There are several types and brands of this toxin, such as Botox, which temporarily weaken or paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. The toxin works directly where it is placed, and, therefore, can be used artistically to alter facial expressions.
The injection process used is often called Botox injection, although any brand of the toxin may be used.
Botox injection is a cosmetic surgery procedure done at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA.
Everyday Low Botox Pricing
$249 for one site
$449 for two sites
$599 for three sites
Reasons for procedure | What to expect | Call your doctor | Resources | Learn more about Botox
Reasons for Botox Treatments
Botox injections are most appropriate for active lines or age-associated wrinkles that are just starting to appear.
Benefits from Botox Injections
Some of the benefits of Botox injection include:
- Reduced or eliminated frown lines, forehead creases, crows’ feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck
- A smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have also suggested a Botox Cosmetic injection relieves migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.
What to expect with Botox Injections
A thin needle is used by your cosmetic surgeon to inject the toxin through the skin into the targeted muscle. You will often need several injections in a small area. The length of the Botox procedure will depend on the number of sites involved, but is often less than 20 minutes.
Anesthesia
Most often, no anesthesia is given for Botox injections, but your doctor may numb the area where the injection takes place by using a topical anesthetic.
Botox Treatment After Care
You typically will not need a long recovery time. However, remember to:
- Remain upright for several hours
- Avoid alcohol
You can resume normal activities after the Botox injection. Follow your doctor’s instructions for the best recovery. Botox treatment lasts up to four months and with repeated use, the effects may last longer.
Potential Side Effects from Botox
Complications from Botox injections are rare, but if they happen, they are mild and temporary. If you are planning to have Botox injection, your doctor will review possible complications, which may include:
- Temporary redness
- Temporary bruising
- Temporary stinging around the injection sites
Less common reactions to a Botox Cosmetic injection, generally mild and not long-lasting, are:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Excessive weakness of the muscle around the eyes
- Temporary eyelid drooping
- Difficulty swallowing for patients who receive Botox injections in their neck
Call your doctor
After arriving home after Botox injection, contact your plastic surgeon if any of the following occur:
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty talking
- Severe lower eyelid droop
- Obstructed vision
- Excessive weakness around the Botox Cosmetic injection site
- Rash or a sign of an allergic reaction
Resources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/ - American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
https://www.surgery.org/