Botox® has become one of the world’s most popular aesthetic treatments. Botox® can treat and even help prevent lines and wrinkles that result from your facial expressions. If you have considered Botox®, you may want to know how much your treatment will cost and how many units of Botox® your provider will use.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is an anti-aging treatment that uses botulinum toxin. Although some might find the name intimidating, botulinum toxin has been used for decades for medical purposes with a great safety profile and efficacy. At Krauss Dermatology, injectables like Botox® are always administered by a board certified dermatologist.
How Does Botox® Work?
Botox® treats expression lines and wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows (glabellar lines or frown lines), or crow’s feet around the eyes. It can also be used off label for upper lip lines, chin dimpling, bunny lines on the nose, improving downturned corners of the mouth and vertical neck bands. Your dermatologist injects Botox® into the muscles that cause these wrinkles. The active ingredient, botulinum toxin, targets the small facial nerves that control these muscles. When the nerve stops sending signals, the muscle tension disappears, and the skin becomes smooth.
How Many Units of Botox® Do I Need?
Botox® is often measured by the unit. The number of units you need depends on which areas you have treated and the depth of your lines and wrinkles. You may also need about twenty units for the vertical frown lines between the brows and ten to fifteen units per side for crow’s feet. On average, people need twenty units for horizontal forehead lines. However the amount needed varies significantly from person to person. Because of this, Krauss Dermatology charges by the area treated, not by the unit. Charging by the unit is like charging for a painting by figuring out how much paint was used! Prices generally vary between $475 and $875 per visit. Remember it is important to be treated by experts to avoid unnecessary complications that may take months to resolve. This is a medical procedure and should not be performed at a salon, a party or someone’s home.
What Results Will I See With Botox®?
You may start to see results from your Botox® injections within two or three days after treatment. Full results will become visible by 14 days. Botox® results begin to fade after three to four months. The results may last up to six months for people who have had the treatment before.
Is There Any Downtime After Botox®?
Botox® does not require any downtime. You can return to your regular activities after treatment, though we ask you to avoid vigorous exercise or yoga until the day after your treatment. You might notice some minor swelling, bruising, or soreness in the injection area, but these will fade within a few days. We invite patients to return at 2 weeks if any slight asymmetry or persistent wrinkles remain to see if they can be further improved.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®?
If you have lines across your forehead, around your eyes, or between your brows, you might be a good candidate for Botox®. Some people have Botox® as early as their 30’s as a preventative measure. Others start at an age when lines and wrinkles have begun to bother them. Your dermatologist can tell you if Botox® is appropriate for you. You may not make a good candidate if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain medical conditions.
Take the Next Step
If you have further questions about Botox®, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Krauss Dermatology. Call us at (781) 416-3500 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.