Botox Injections- Things to Know

BOTOX is the most popular cosmetic dermatology treatment in the U.S., with nearly 7 million treatments performed in 2015. If you're considering BOTOX® injections for your lines and wrinkles, here are five things you should know:

1. BOTOX® injections can't treat all types of wrinkles. They're just for dynamic wrinkles that form as a result of facial movements – primarily, crow's feet, forehead lines and frown lines between the brows.
2. BOTOX® injections can be combined with other cosmetic dermatology treatments including dermal fillers to treat both dynamic and static wrinkles. Sometimes referred to as a “liquid facelift,” combined treatments can help you get the effects of a mini facelift without the surgery, cost or recovery time.
3. BOTOX® discomfort is minimal. One of the most common fears of having BOTOX® injections is that it's going to hurt. But the fact is, most people feel very little discomfort. Injections use very fine needles and the area can be iced before and after treatment so you'll stay comfortable throughout treatment.
4. You won't have big bruises, either. While you may have some very minor bruising, applying ice after treatment keeps bruising to a minimum, and most patients have no bruising at all. Bruising that does occur can be hidden with makeup.
5. BOTOX® is safe. The internet is full of "cosmetic surgery gone bad" photos, and while that may be good for gaining page views, it also drives a lot of confusion. BOTOX® has been around for years, gaining FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002. The key to great results: Choose an experienced provider.

Halo Laser & Aesthetic Medicine is a top provider of BOTOX® injections, offering a complete array of cosmetic dermatology options and medical spa treatments for men and women throughout the Greater Chicago region. To schedule your own personalized consultation, call Halo at (847)613-4019 today.

Is the cost of Botox dependent on the location of the injection?

BOTOX® injections have many uses in medicine, but without doubt, their most popular and prevalent use is in the treatment of dynamic facial lines and wrinkles like crow's feet, forehead lines and frown lines or glabellar folds, the little vertical lines that form between the eyebrows, especially when you frown. It may also be used in low doses for so-called smoker's lines, the little vertical lines that form around the lips. While some cosmetic treatments can have a price structure based on which area is being treated, the cost of BOTOX® is based on a flat-fee structure dependent on the area being treated and the number of units or vials required. More extensive treatments require more vials or units, and therefore cost more. The unit cost can vary as well, ranging from about $12 to about $20 each.

Nationwide, BOTOX® treatments range from about $300 for a very small treatment area to about $1,000 for more extensive treatments. And of course, the cost of treatment can vary geographically and from practice to practice. While BOTOX® injections are widely used in cosmetic treatments, they still require considerable expertise and skill to determine the exact placement of the injection to avoid complications like drooping eyelids, so skill and experience should count the most when deciding on a treatment practitioner.

Here's a quick review of the cost of BOTOX® for the most popular treatment zones:

• Crow's feet – from three to 10 units per temple region, or up to $400 for both eyes
• Forehead lines – about 20 units, or up to $200
• Frown lines – about 25 units, or up to about $500

It's important to remember the cost per unit can vary over time, and men typically require more units per treatment area to achieve optimal benefits of their injections.

To maintain the results of your treatment, you'll need re-treatments about every three to four months, but the good news is, wrinkles tend to soften with successive treatments, and over time, you may be able to wait longer between touch-up treatments.

BOTOX® can also be used with fillers or other cosmetic options to provide patients with many of the benefits of a “mini facelift” without the need for surgery. If you'd like to learn more about BOTOX® injections or the cost of BOTOX® treatment, call Halo Laser and Aesthetic Medicine to schedule a personal consultation today.