Why Botox?

Why do people get Botox?

Botox is known as a neuromodulator used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on one’s face.  It relaxes the muscle and therefore prevents the muscles from being able to contract and cause lines around the eyes, across the forehead, and between your eyes, and even helps prevent the downturn of your smile, smooth out your chin, and create a smooth youthful appearance to the skin. It quite simply erases fine lines and wrinkles like a magic eraser!

How long does it last? 

Botox or other neuromodulator brands like Dysport, Xeomin, Jeveau last anywhere from 3-6 months and do need to be repeated to achieve the consistent relaxation of the muscle it is being injected into.  It will take approximately 3-7 days to start working and should be re-evaluated in 3-4 months to maintain the relaxation of the muscle and the smoothing of the fine lines and wrinkles in the area it is injected.

What areas are most effectively treated with neuromodulators like Botox?

The best areas to have treated are around the eyes (crow’s feet), between the eyes (the 11 lines or grumpy eyes), along the forehead for forehead creases and wrinkles, the bunny lines across the nose, the chin when the skin appears “cobblestone appearance”, and in the downturned angles of the mouth preventing the downturned smile that can appear with aging. 

How much does it cost?

The cost for Botox at Ridgeline Medical is $10 per unit.  A typical cost for between the eyes is 20 Units or $200, the forehead is typically 10-20 units or $100/$200, around the eyes to the crow’s feet is generally 12 units or $120, chin is generally only 8 units or $80, a lip flip is generally only 4-8 units or $40-$80 (*note a lip flip only last approximately 6 weeks not the 3-6 months the other areas last).

Does it hurt?

Botox is injected into the muscle (a very superficial, ie not deep) injection with a super fine needle and is very quick and relatively painless when done with the correct technique.  The whole procedure generally takes no more than 10 minutes. 

What are the restrictions after having Botox?

Your provider will encourage you not to take ibuprofen, you can take Tylenol if you feel a slight headache or any residual pain, which is very rare.  You will need to not lay on your face or have a massage or exercise heavily that same day of injection.  You will be discouraged from putting a hat on as you do not want the areas injected to have pressure applied as the neurotoxin needs to stay in place where it was injected for full effect and to prevent it from drifting to an unintended area. 

What are the potential complications that can occur?

There could be mild redness, bruising, and swelling after the injections.  Do not plan Botox right before a big event, give yourself a 2-week lead time in case you need to allow bruising to resolve.  There is a chance the Botox can drift into an unintended muscle and eyelid droop may occur.  This is a rare complication but can occur.  There is no way to reverse neuromodulators once injected, but the results are not permanent, as the neuromodulator will slowly degrade and no longer be effective in 3-6 months.  In some instances an eye drop can immediately be applied to the eye to try to lessen the side effect of the eyelid drooping.  Correct placement by a skilled provider is important. 

Does Ridgeline do Botox?

Yes, our Nurse Practitioner Christina Finnerty FNP does Botox.  She has been injecting Botox and other neuromodulators for over 15 years and would absolutely love to help you feel beautiful in the skin you are in!!!

Make an appointment today!  If you are not sure what you would need, you can make a consultation appointment first for $50 for 30-minute consult and if you book treatment $25 is applied toward your treatment if done on a separate day.  If done the same day the consultation fee is waived.