One of the most common procedures I do in clinic is Botox. Botox can smooth frown lines, decrease a gummy smile, enhance lip projection, banish crows feet, and even slim the face. It’s no wonder that so many people come in asking for it!
Before putting a needle in your face though, I like to make sure my patients know what they’re getting themselves into. So, I’ve spent a lot of time answering questions.
Here are the most common questions I get in clinic about botox so you can read a bit about it before you come in. (Don’t worry, I will happily answer all of these and more if you have questions when you come in too!)
- Botox—what is it? Nowadays, we call all neuromodulators botox but there are actually four brands of botulinum toxin on the market in the U.S. There’s Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau. I’ve used all of them and tend to have them all on hand in the office because some patients prefer one over another. Although they’re all slightly different, they’re all ultra-purified forms of botulinum toxin that has been studied and used in humans for many years.
- Does it work? Yes! Take a peek at our before and after gallery on the homepage or my Instagram page to see some results. You’ll see it before and afters of botox to treat frown lines, forehead wrinkles, crows feet, scars, a gummy smile, a pebbly chin, teeth grinding, to perk up lips, slim the face or to smooth out upper lip lines. I also use it to decrease sweating of the scalp, face, hand, underarms and feet in some patients.
- Is it safe? Botox has been used in babies, children and adults in high doses for many medical reasons like frequent urination, migraines, and excessive drooling and for all of the cosmetic reasons I noted in question 2. In the hands of someone knowledgeable about anatomy and experienced in using it, Botox is very safe.
- Is there anyone who shouldn’t get it? I don’t recommend getting botox while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. I also don’t recommend botox for patients with degenerative muscle or nerve diseases without express permission of the doctor treating those conditions.
- How long will it last? Botox usually lasts 2-4 months, typically 3 months for most uses. For sweating, botox usually lasts almost 6 months.
- Does it hurt? I use teeny, tiny needles to inject so most of my patients find it relatively painless. It hurts, but it’s honestly not that bad. Here’s a video of me injecting a patient that was kind enough to let me use her treatment to demonstrate.
- Ok, I’m in. How do I book an appointment? Unfortunately, I can’t take on new patients until 2021 but sign up for our newsletter here to be in the know for when I have openings again!
- Have more questions? I do an #askdrpapri segment in my Instagram stories often. Feel free to shoot me a DM and let me know you stopped by here!