Common Questions

 

 

10  common questions about Botox and fillers:

1) How much does it cost?

Botox or Xeomin are $300 for 1/2 syringe (25 units) $600 for a full syringe ($50 units)

Juvederm Ultra Plus and Radiesse is $600 per full syringe $350 per 1/2 syringe

Voluma  is $800 per syringe.

Multiple syringes or products are offered $100 discount per full syringe $50 for half syringe

Refer a friend and get a $50 discount as well.

 

2) I'm nervous. Isn't is a toxin?

Yes, it is. So is Aspirin Wine and even Water!!! (If you use too much of it.) A few injections of Botox is a very safe medication just as two aspirin are. But you wouldn't eat a whole bottle of aspirin or you would get an ulcer! You wouldn't drink a gallon of water in a day either or you would rinse all the electrolytes out of your body and end up in the ER with water toxicity. It is a natural product just like the mold penicillin (the wonder drug) is made of is and it wears away over 3 to 6 months. Fillers are made of sugar derivatives and calcium. Both are natural products as well.

 

3) It is so expensive?

No more expensive than  your annual cost of haircuts and color or a starbucks coffee every day on your way to work. A Botox treatments typically costs from $300 to $600 per treatment. A filler is $350-$800 per syringe. If you calculate two treatments per year, it's about $25 dollars a week. Not so bad for looking 10 years younger!

 

4) Will I look frozen? Absolutely not! Your face will look very natural, just softer, less lines and younger and you can still have movement and expression. People that look frozen on TV usually want to. The more Botox used the more frozen you look. I prefer a conservative approach. Natural looks better. We can always add a few drops later if you want or need more and I offer free touchups 2-3 weeks after treatments. Fillers are the same. The less you use the more natural. I don't like  "fish lips" or cheeks. A small amount of filler can go a long way in these areas.

5) Is it painful? 

There is slight pain with both procedures. Botox is a tiny short needle and can be compared to a mosquito bite. No medication is required but can be used if requested. Fillers need a slightly larger needle. I pre-medicate with a lidocaine cream and lidocaine I premixed right in the filler. I would compare that sensation like a bee bite if you don't choose to pre-medicate. Both are quite tolerable as not nearly as painful as waxing.

 

6) Do I need to take time off from work?

No, both Botox and fillers can be done in under an hour. Botox is a 5 minute procedure and many patients come on their lunch hour and go right back to work. They look exactly the same as they walked into my office as it takes a week or so to set in.  There is only a 2% chance of a bruise. Less than 1% incidence of headaches or other side effects including temporary weakness in the eyelid muscle or uneven eyebrow strength.

Fillers take a little longer (20-30 minutes) and have a 20% chance of bruising or swelling.  I suggest people  do it at least 4 weeks before a big event to allow time for a touch up or a bruise to heal. Recovery time is quick as well but swelling may last a few hours to a day and bruises a few days.

Make up usually covers it.

 

7) How long do the products last?

Botox lasts 3-5 months  (It peaks in 2 weeks after injection and slowly wears off over 3 months but wrinkles may not return for months) 

Juvederm last 6-9 months depending on your metabolism 

Radiesse lasts 9 month to 15 months

Voluma lasts up to 18 months (although slow metabolisms have reported 2 years)

 

8) What are the  common side effects?

  Bruising occurs rarely with Botox less that 5% of the time, Bruising occurs in 10-20% of filler patients. Swelling is more common with fillers and typicaly lasts a few hours to about  day. Ice helps. Pain is rare but when washing you face you may experience some tenderness. Uneven results. You may notice a eyebrow raising higher than another. This is easily fixed with a touch up,

Dropped eyelid occurs in 1-3% of patiets and is cause by the toxin drifting into the Muellers muscle. Eye drops can be prescribed and helps but improvemnt will take 2-3 weeks. A rare side effect of filler is a blocked blood vessel in the forehead or next to nares of nose. Hyaluronidase can quickly reverse this side effect with the aid of heat and massage. Radiesse is more complicated to correct this rare side effect.

 

9) What can i do to prevent side effects?

If you are planning on a filler and take aspirin fish oil or blood thinners or a regulart baby aspirin it is recommended that you stop taking them 2 weeks before a treatment.to help prevent bruising (please check with your prescribing physician before stopping.)

Ibuprofin can also increase risk of bruising. Take tylenol for headaches or minor pain. No hats afert Botox or heavy kissing on lips for Juvederm

Arnica tablets and gels can help prevent bruising if taken 3 -5 days in advance of treatement. It also help promote healing of a bruise.

No alcohol or strenuous exercise after treatment for 24 hours. Try to sleep on back for 48 hours after facial fillers. No Make up or facial creams for 1 hour after treatment. You no your injector can  completely prevent this side effect. The above suggestions will help if they do occur.

 

10)But I earned theses wrinkles? Shouldn't I just accept aging?

We earned our grey hairs too but if they bother us so we take care of it atthe hair salon. Same for wrinkles. If they don't bother you that is fine.

But if they do bother you... you can take care of it! There is a safe, effective, affordable medical treatment for them.

 

Always a free consultation and every patient will have Kathy's cell to call anytime for any reason.