Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the Botox Hurt?

  The needle used is very fine and only a tiny amount of substance is used so pain is minimal. No sedation or local anesthesia is required.

• how long does botox TREATMENT LAST/results?

  IT GENERALLY TAKES 3-7 DAYS BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF YOUR BOTOX TREATMENT AND THE EFFECTS WILL GENERALLY LAST BETWEEN 3 TO 4 MONTHS.

• IS BOTOX SAFE?

  BOTOX IS VERY WELL TOLERATED AND SAFE WHEN USED FOR NON-INVASIVE COSMETIC TREATMENTS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF PROBLEMS AFTER BOTOX TREATMENT, BUT THESE HAVE BEEN CASES WHERE LARGE DOSES OF BOTOX WERE USED. (THE AMOUNT OF BOTOX USED FOR COSMETIC PURPOSES IS VERY SMALL). WHILE BOTOX DOES “PARALYZE” THE MUSCLES IN THE FACE, THE EFFECTS ARE TEMPORARY AND DO NOT CAUSE PERMANENT PROBLEMS.

• WHERE SHOULD I USE BOTOX?

  BOTOX CAN BE USED TO TREAT ANY WRINKLE IN THE FACE CAUSED BY THE MUSCLE ACTIONS UNDER THE SKIN. THE MOST COMMON PLACES TARGETED INCLUDE THE FOREHEAD, GLABELLA (“ELEVENS”), AROUND THE EYES, AND LIP LINES. IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO RAISE THE EYEBROWS, RAISE THE CORNERS OF THE MONTH (TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE MORE OF A SMILE INSTEAD OF A FROWN), AND SOFTEN THE “BANDS” IN YOUR NECK.

• MY FOREHEAD FEELS HEAVY; IS THIS NORMAL?

  YES. IT IS COMMON FOR THE FACIAL MUSCLES TO FEEL HEAVIER THAN NORMAL AFTER INJECTION WITH BOTOX. THIS FEELING WILL LESSEN AFTER 1-2 WEEKS. PLEASE ALLOW FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE PROVIDER FOR ASSESSMENT.

• I’VE READ THE TERM “OFF-LABEL.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

  WHEN INJECTABLE PRODUCTS ARE APPROVED TO BE USED IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) LISTS SPECIFIC USES FOR THOSE PRODUCTS. MOST INJECTABLE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN “APPROVED” TO TREAT SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE FACE, AND LIST THESE APPROVED TREATMENT AREAS ON THE PRODUCT LABEL. HOWEVER, THE PRINCIPLE EFFECTS OF THE PRODUCT MAY BE THE SAME IF USED ELSEWHERE ON THE FACE. WHEN A PRODUCT IS USED ON AN AREA OF THE FACE NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED ON THE FDA PACKAGE INSERT LABEL, THE USE OF THE PRODUCT IS CONSIDERED “OFF-LABEL”. FOR EXAMPLE, BOTOX COSMETIC® MAY ONLY BE FDA APPROVED TO TREAT THE WRINKLES IN THE GLABELLA AREA (“ELEVENS”), RESULTING IN A ELIMINATION OR SOFTENING OF THOSE WRINKLE AND IMPROVED FACIAL APPEARANCE. HOWEVER INJECTION OF BOTOX COSMETIC® AROUND THE EYES MAY ACHIEVE THE SAME COSMETIC EFFECT, BUT HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY APPROVED BUT THE FDA FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO USE THE PRODUCTS IN AN OFF-LABEL MANNER IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT YOU NEED TO BE INFORMED AND AWARE THAT THE PRODUCTS ARE BEING USED IN THIS WAY.

• Are there any side effects from Botox?

  Only tiny amounts of Botulinum Toxin are used, so this treatment is not harmful. The most common side effects are temporary and localised bruising, slight redness of the skin and occasionally slight swelling at the injection site.

• Therapeutic Botox?

  Botox is an off-label treatment for TMJ, which means that Botox is not yet FDA-approved to treat TMJ despite the popular use of the product. Since the FDA has not officially approved Botox for this use, your insurer may not cover the treatment. However, you can ask your insurer if they do cover the treatment and submit receipts for possible reimbursement options.

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