Botox in NYC
We’ve come a long way since the days of frozen faces and botox being taboo. Botox is a great way to treat existing wrinkles and also prevent wrinkles from forming.
You. With less wrinkles
Botulinum toxin, better known as Botox, is a neurotoxin used for aesthetic purposes to temporarily prevent contraction of facial muscles and decrease the pull on the skin. It works to lessen the appearance of fine lines and stubborn wrinkles in areas like the forehead, around the eyes, and nose. There are several brands of botox including Botox® and Xeomin® and Dysport®; they all work similarly and very effectively. The effects of Botox are localized to the area being treated; in other words, the product stays only where it is injected.
Do I Need Botox?
If you are distracted by fine lines or wrinkles on your forehead or around your eyes, then botox may be an effective treatment option for you. For some people wrinkles can start to form as early as the mid 20s, and for others wrinkles may not be apparent until late 30s. Using botox to treat mild wrinkles, can help prevent them from getting deeper later on.
What Areas Can I Treat with Botox?
Botox is commonly used to treat stubborn fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Forehead lines, frown lines (between eyebrows), crows feet (wrinkles around the eyes), bunny lines (on the sides of the nose) are the most common areas treated
The masseter is a large muscle at the angle of your lower jaw. Injections in this area can slim the lower face and help with teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Lip - the botox lip flip can be used to make the upper lip appear fuller. Botox is injected into the border of the upper lip to cause the upper lip to turn up more.
Gummy Smile - botox can be injected to the muscles that cause excessive gum show when smiling.
Chin - to soften dimpling or “pebble chin”
Botox is extremely versatile and is completely customizable for each patient to address their individual concerns.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The effects of Botox are typically seen within 3-5 days and full results can be expected by 2 weeks. Eventually, the neurotoxin will wear off and the muscles will go back to their normal activity. Botox will usually last between 3 and 4 months, sometimes more, sometimes less. You will have a more lifted, younger appearance after your treatment, but will still look like yourself! Everyone’s experience is unique, and you may notice a longer lasting result with one brand of neurotoxin than the other.
Is Botox Safe?
The name “neurotoxin” sounds scary, but the small doses of Botox used for aesthetic purposes have long been evaluated and shown to be safe. The overall risk of neurotoxins is minimal; and luckily any adverse event would only last for the 3-4 months while the drug is active. However, it is important to receive your treatment from a professional. Make sure your provider is board certified, has a strong knowledge of facial anatomy, and experience with neurotoxin to lower your risk of an adverse reaction or mis-injection. An experienced provider is the difference between botched and beautiful. While on the topic of safety, Botox injections should generally be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Though the risk is minimal, it is best to avoid injections in these cases to avoid any undue harm.
Does Botox Have Side Effects?
Common side effects include bruising, headache, and soreness at the injection sites. Rarely, If botox is injected incorrectly or spreads to an area where it was not intended, it can cause temporary drooping of the eyelid or mouth. This is why it is important to go to an experienced provider that uses good technique to prevent this from happening, but also knows how to handle this if it does happen. It is helpful to plan your appointment at least 2 weeks before a big trip or event to leave time for tweaks or touch ups.
Will My Wrinkles Look Worse Once Botox Wears Off?
When the effects of Botox start to diminish, it can be quite a shock to see those lines and wrinkles appear yet again. However, they should not look worse; the muscles will simply return to their baseline activity. With regular treatments of Botox the lines soften over time and you may find you need less since the muscles are not moving as often. Results can actually lengthen after a few treatments of Botox because the muscles are conditioned to the product.
How Much does Botox Cost in NYC?
Some practices charge by the unit, others by the area. At Vida Lee, MD we charge by the unit so that you pay for exactly what you are getting. Our botox is priced at $14/unit. Learn more about our prices here
FAQ:
How often do I need to get botox?
Botox wears off in about 3 months for most patients. If you want to maintain your results we recommend getting botox every 3-4 months, or 4-6 months if you don’t have many lines or wrinkles and are doing it preventatively.
Once I start getting botox, do I need to get it forever?
If you love your results and want to maintain them, then getting Botox regularly will benefit you and slow down signs of aging. Over time you may need less Botox to maintain your skin. If you have done Botox and wanted to stop doing it, you can do so and your skin would return to its natural state prior to Botox without any significant long term consequences.
How many units do I need?
Here is a general guide to the number of units used in different areas of the face.
Note: each person is unique and the number of units depends on your facial anatomy and the results you want, so it is best decided on during an in person consultation.