What’s involved in a typical Botox injection?

If the signs of aging on your skin are bothering you, turning to Botox injections is something that you might wish to do. It is something that many others who want to achieve a more youthful look decide to opt for, and a Botox injection is a simple procedure that takes only minutes to perform.

Botox injections do not involve anesthesia because there is no surgery involved. However, the certified nurse injection specialists and doctors who are responsible for performing your Botox injection will help ensure that the process is as painless as possible. While a Botox injection does involve the use of a fine needle that is inserted into muscle, most people who receive these injections report that any discomfort is minimal.

After entering your system, the Botox will block signals sent by your nerves to the muscles in the area of your skin that is affected by wrinkles. Without those signals, the muscle that was injected cannot contract, and the wrinkles relax and soften as a result.

Once again, the procedure is quick and is generally complete after only a few minutes. It can take up to seven days to see the full effects of your Botox injection. The effects will generally last from four to six months, after which time wrinkles will begin to become visible again. However, it is easy to repeat Botox treatments when this happens, and with repeated injections over time, lines and wrinkles often become less severe.

In order to prepare for a Botox injection, it is wise to avoid alcohol beginning a week before your procedure. There are also certain medications you may need to avoid before your Botox injection.

Botox injections are simple, quick and mostly painless. They are an excellent option to treat the signs of aging that you no longer have to passively accept.

I’ve heard about the use of Botox for migraines, is that true?

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of Botox to treat chronic migraines. Studies have shown positive results of serotype A Botox. There are actually seven serotypes of Botox, but type A has been used to relieve pain in several bodily locations. For migraines, Botox A injections block the release of acetylcholine. This stops the targeted muscles from contracting, and that means the pain and spasm cycles also stop.

If you suffer from migraines, this means injections will give you relief from a painful posture by stopping the contraction of muscles that make your headaches worse. The government’s National Institutes of Health said that this method has actually been tested for over a decade, but it was only recently approved after positive evidence of success.

One case report from the National Institutes of Health detailed the study of a 45-year-old woman who had tried everything from medications to chiropractic manipulation. Over the span of several months, she received Botox injections. No side effects were reported, but her pain from chronic migraines was relieved. As a severe case, she was given a total of about 120 units of Botox. However, studies have shown some people saw effectiveness after receiving only 25 units.

Our injection specialists know how to analyze your individual needs and determine the best course of treatment for you. The dosage we recommend for you depends on the size of the muscle, your body size, the severity of your headaches and the frequency of occurrences. Injections are typically given every 12 weeks.

If you experience migraine headaches more than 14 days out of the month, this may be a treatment you can benefit from. Whether you live in Portland, Oregon, Santa Monica, California or an area near these cities, our certified nurse injection specialists can help you.

I’m a first-timer; what do Botox injections cost?

Originally introduced in the 1980s by ophthalmologists, Botox was first used to treat optic muscle problems. In the next few years, Botox was approved by the FDA to reduce frown lines, other furrows in the forehead and, most recently, crow’s feet. Today, it is also often chosen to treat other medical conditions including severe incontinence, migraines and underarm perspiration.

When used in cosmetic procedures, Botox works by blocking the release of the chemical that triggers wrinkle-creating muscle contractions. The injections are performed with sterilized needles so narrow that they can hardly be felt, especially after administration of a local anesthesia or topical cream. These procedures should always be performed by a licensed injector and, depending on what you are having done, usually only take 20 minutes or less.

How much does this increasingly popular, minimally invasive and effective form of treatment cost? For each treatment area, the price may range from $300 to $900.
The benefits of Botox usually last three to four months, at which time the process must be repeated. Before you have any Botox procedures performed, it is important to do your homework and select an experienced certified nurse injection specialist. Once you have made your choice and undergone the procedure, you will see positive results within a week.

What’s the most important thing to look at in the Botox price?

Over the past three decades or so, the toxin Botox has gained prominence in a wide range of medical and cosmetic treatments. Used to address everything from optic muscular disorders, frown lines and crow’s feet to urinary incontinence, severe underarm perspiration and migraine headaches, people have embraced it because of its relatively low cost and ease of administration. As with any procedure, however, it is crucial that you, the patient, understand exactly what you are getting, how it will feel, and how much it will cost.

Botox is administered by certified injection specialists under sterile conditions. An anesthetic or numbing cream is applied before your procedure, and the needles used are so narrow and fine that you can barely feel it when they are inserted. The entire procedure usually takes less than 20 minutes, and you will see the beneficial results within a week.

Because Botox has become incredibly popular, it stands to reason that some of the people who administer it are not qualified or experienced. Proper placement of the needles is imperative to avoid anatomical structures which could injure patients. Therefore, even if a someone offers to give you Botox in your home at a reduced rate, the savings of a few dollars could result in huge costs and needless complications. When it comes to the cost of Botox, several factors come into play. Some nurse injectors base their price on the number of units to be injected; others focus on the area of your body that is involved. Therefore, the two pieces of information that you should make sure to receive are what price will be charged and exactly what treatment you will receive. If an injector is hesitant to provide you with these details, it’s time to look elsewhere.

Of course, you want your Botox procedure to be done by a qualified professional whom you can trust.  Your face is the one outfit that you wear every day, so going with the lowest costs provider for a facial injection procedure may not be best decision that one can make.  The experience of the injectors, and reputation of the injectors, should be the things that you put the heaviest weight on.  Skin by Lovely is has been recognized as one of the top 100 Botox practices in the United States by Allergan, the maker of Botox.  Skin by Lovely’s injector train surgeons, dermatologists, and other physicians on how to use Botox safely, and are amongst the most experienced in the world in managing against adverse events with the use of Botox.  By keeping these tips in mind, you can obtain professionally administered Botox treatments at a price you can afford.

Is the Botox cream for real?

If you’ve been thinking about Botox and are worried about the injection aspect of the procedure, learning about Botox cream has probably piqued your interest. However, learning whether Botox cream is really a solution to your skincare issues is important before you try any procedure than can affect your health.

Do Botox Creams Exist?

You may have noticed creams that use the Botox name as you’re searching for something to work on your wrinkles in the same way as Botox injections. These creams are not actually affiliated with Botox, and the use of the brand name is intended to reel you in and convince you to buy.

While you may be tempted to buy them and try them out despite the fact that they are not associated with Botox, there are health risks that can occur when using an unlicensed product. Skin creams that are promoted as Botox creams are unregulated by the FDA and may cause redness, itching and swelling.

Sticking With the Real Deal

Instead of trying out “miracle” creams that could cause negative side effects that you cannot anticipate, consider scheduling an appointment with one of our licensed injectors. Your Botox procedure will be quick, discomfort will be minimal, and any side effects that you may experience can be predicted by comparing the known side effects of Botox with your medical history. The end result in a more youthful, refreshed look that will make you look like a better version of yourself.

If you want to learn more about Botox or other treatments that can get rid of the lines that age you, our certified nurse injection specialists are available to discuss your needs. Schedule a consultation in our Santa Monica or Portland offices today.

I’ve heard that Botox side effects can be bad. What’s the worst that can happen?

When performed by an experienced and licensed injector, Botox injections are generally safe.  However, there are a few side effects that can sometimes occur.  Patients might experience some localized swelling, pain and bruising at the injection sites, and some patients report headaches or flu-like symptoms. When these side effects do occur, they usually clear up within a few days.

Can Botox Side Effects Ever be Serious?

The most common reason for serious or severe Botox side effects is because the injections were performed incorrectly or by someone who is not qualified to practice the procedure.  When delivered by an inexperienced or unqualified practitioner, Botox can spread into tissues near the injection site and cause problems.  One thing to remember about all Botox side effects is that they are all temporary.  The mechanism of action of Botox is one where nerve endings regenerate after they are deactivated by the botulinum toxin product.

The most frequent of these issues include a crooked smile or eyebrows, droopy eyelids and/or dry/watery eyes. These symptoms occur is less than one percent of cases and clear up within a few months at most.  In rare cases, patients might also experience symptoms such as:

  • Problems speaking and/or swallowing
  • Breathing problems
  • Vision problems
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of bladder control

Select Your Certified Nurse Injection Specialist Carefully

Botox treatments should always be performed by a qualified and experienced professional such as a licensed nurse injector.  Prior to receiving Botox, you will consult with your certified nurse injection specialist. Your nurse injector will advise you about Botox treatments and help you to decide if it’s a procedure that will work for you.

Must I Take any Precautions Before a Botox Treatment?

You should not receive Botox injections if you are pregnant or chestfeeding.  If you do decide to get Botox, do not take any medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen for two weeks prior to treatment.  These agents thin the blood and can cause bleeding and bruising. It’s also best to avoid supplements of any kind, even those considered “natural” as they may thin the blood as well.

What should I look for in Botox pictures of before and after cases?

It is the aesthetic enhancement treatment of the century. No doubt, you have seen the changes it has wrought in famous celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. Now, you have decided to investigate receiving Botox treatments for yourself.

There are several factors to be considered as you contemplate taking this cosmetic step. Among other questions you should ask are these:  Will it address my cosmetic or medical concern? Am I prepared to have it re-administered every three to four months? Do I understand the nature of this minimally invasive procedure? Finally, am I willing and able to pay anywhere from $280 to $700 per treatment?

Once you have answered these queries to your satisfaction, your next step will probably be to find a certified nurse injection specialist who will conduct the procedure in a sterile environment. This person will most likely be able to show you a portfolio of before and after photographs that depict how Botox treatments provided his or her patients with the positive results they were seeking.

You might be asking yourself what you should look for in these photographs. Most important, if you have a suspicion that what you are seeing is too good to be true or that it has been altered using software tools, you should heed that inner voice. Qualified certified nurse injection specialists can be found in all major West Coast cities, including Portland, Oregon and Santa Monica, California. A reputable specialist will have no need to artificially enhance his or her results; the benefits of expertly administered Botox speak for themselves.  When looking at the photographs, also make sure that they reflect the patient’s maximum frown or smile, both before and one week after the administration of Botox. This will give you the clearest indication of its beneficial effects.