01 · This page
Botox
- Starts
- 3–7 days
- Spread
- Precise
- Often chosen for
- Most first treatments. It has the longest track record and is very predictable in small areas.
Treatments/Injectables
Botox in Westlake.
About fifteen minutes, no anesthetic and no downtime. Placed by our nurse practitioner, who usually starts with fewer units than you'd expect.
15 minin the chair
3–7 daysuntil you see it
0days of downtime
What it is
Botox is botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the muscle it's placed in. Small amounts in the upper face stop those muscles from creasing the skin, so the lines they cause soften.
It doesn't fill, tighten or remove anything. A line you can still see when your face is completely relaxed is etched into the skin, and Botox alone will only improve it slowly. That's the first thing your provider checks.
What it can do for you
Most people describe how they look rather than what they want done: tired, annoyed, older than they feel. In the upper face, that usually comes down to three muscles.
- Forehead lines soften without dropping your brow.
- The frown line between your eyebrows stops making you look cross.
- Crow's feet ease when you smile.
- A heavy brow can lift slightly when the muscle pulling it down relaxes.
Is it right for me?
Most healthy adults are good candidates. Your consultation is where we confirm that and work out how much you need. For a first treatment, it's usually less than you'd think.
Not recommended if
You're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition, have an infection where you'd be treated, or your lines are static. In that last case, your provider may suggest a skin treatment or filler instead.
Four options
Four products that work the same way.
All four are botulinum toxin type A. They differ in how quickly they start, how far they spread and how they behave over years of treatment. Having all four means your provider can choose the one that suits you.
02
Xeomin
- Starts
- 3–7 days
- Spread
- Precise
- Often chosen for
- Patients whose Botox seems to wear off faster than it used to. Xeomin has no accessory proteins.
03
Dysport
- Starts
- 2–5 days
- Spread
- Wider
- Often chosen for
- Larger areas like a broad forehead, where a wider spread helps.
04
Jeuveau
- Starts
- 2–5 days
- Spread
- Precise
- Often chosen for
- Frown lines between the eyebrows.
Who does your treatment
Injections by a nurse practitioner.
Your Botox is placed by Brooke, our nurse practitioner injector, after a full assessment. She'll keep your first treatment conservative and see you again at two weeks to check the result.
Before and after your appointment
A few simple guidelines.
The week before
- If your doctor agrees, pause fish oil, vitamin E and high-dose anti-inflammatories for about a week. They can cause bruising.
- Skip alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, for the same reason.
- Come with a clean face if you can. We'll remove any makeup before we start.
- Let us know about recent dental work, vaccinations or illness.
The 24 hours after
- Stay upright for four hours. No lying flat or face-down naps.
- Don't rub or massage the treated areas.
- Avoid hard workouts, saunas and hot yoga for a day.
- Small bumps settle within an hour. A bruise can take a few days.
- Judge the result at two weeks, not three days. We'll book your follow-up then.
Questions
The ones we hear most.
Does Botox hurt?
The needle is very fine and each injection takes about a second. Most patients describe a quick sting. No anesthetic is needed, and you can drive yourself home.
How soon will I see Botox results?
Movement starts to soften after three to seven days, and the full effect shows at about two weeks. We book your follow-up then.
Will Botox make me look frozen?
Not if it's dosed and placed well. We treat the muscles that are creasing the skin and leave the rest working, and we keep first treatments conservative.
What happens when Botox wears off?
Your muscles gradually go back to how they worked before, and so do the lines. Nothing ends up worse than it was.
How many units of Botox will I need?
It depends on your muscles and the areas you want treated, so we can't say over the phone. You'll get your number and a quote after the assessment, before anything is injected.
Start here
Start with a consultation and a plan for the future you.
A medical providerEvery consultation is with our highly skilled medical providers.
No obligationYou'll leave with a written plan. Whether you start that day is up to you.
In person or by videoYour first consultation can be in person or by video.