Questions to ask your Botox Specialist in Santa Barbara
If you are considering an aesthetic plastic surgeon then here are five important questions to ask:
- Are you board certified?
- What type of anesthesia do you use and who will administer it?
- How many times have you done this procedure in the past?
- What is the total breakdown of cost for the treatment?
- What is recovery like? (Including a general timeline)
How long will the results from a Botox injection last?
Your plastic surgeon will discuss the lasting effects of your treatment. On average though, a Botox injection lasts up to three months. Some patients however report it lasting up to 6 months. As your muscle’s movement returns, you will begin to see a reappearance of wrinkles. This is how you know that retreatment is required.
How long does a Botox injection take to work?
You likely will start to see results at around 4-days post-treatment. It can take up to 14 days to see the full results though.
Does the Santa Barbara Botox hurt?
The cosmetic surgeon you work with will use a very tiny needle to inject botulinum toxin. You may feel a slight pinch but most patients report it is minimal. In addition, it lasts such a short period of time that few patients complain.
How much does Botox Santa Barbara cost?
Before you get Botox injections you should understand the cost and definitely make sure you get not only what you are paying for. There are varying factors that determine the cost of Botox which are the amount needed, sex of the person (men require more per area), the city you live in and the quality of the doctor making the injections. You want to make sure you are getting you Botox done by a board certified plastic surgeon who is trained in aesthetic plastic surgery rather than a nurse, a med spa or a PA who is not. The Plastic surgeons charge for Botox injections in one of two ways:
Cost per unit. This is generally the preferred way to pay for Botox as a patient simply because it’s very clear as to what your’e getting in return. The manufacturer of Botox cosmetic, Allergan, sells Botox in units of 50, 100 and 200 vial bottles. The average cost of Botox can range anywhere between $12 to $20 per unit, depending on your geographic location. To understand more specifically, the average person requires approximately 20-25 units to treat forehead lines, and between 5-10 units for injections in the crow’s feet area around the outside of the eyes. The 11’s lines or frown lines between the eyes is typically a deeper line and thus can require up to 25 units or more. If crow’s feet, forehead and frown lines all needed treatment the cost in Santa Barbara performed by a plastic surgeon could cost anywhere between $700 to $900, depending on the number of units. Also, since you are buying a bottle make sure the Botox vial if brand new.
Cost per area. To define this means that the plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara could charge anywhere from $300 to $600 for each of the treatment areas injected. However, if the forehead lines are injected the cost could end up being higher as there are multiple areas within the horizontal forehead lines. In another example, if the 11’s lines and the crow’s feet were injected and my doctor charged $500 per area, the cost of the Botox injections could be around $500. To be fair, just because a plastic surgeon mat choose this pricing structure doesn’t mean they aren’t the most qualified aesthetic surgeon, but it tends to seem the cost ends up being higher than what is needed. Also, beware that the risk could increase with this pricing model because you are not necessarily buying your very own vial of Botox and the possibility of contamination could exist.
Interested in Botox Santa Barbara? If you need Botox injections for fine lines and wrinkles contact Dr. Sheffield for a customized treatment plan. Schedule a consultation today 805.318.3280!
Limitations and risks of botulinum toxin injections
A Botox is a great solution to minimizing wrinkles. As with any injectable though, there can be some risks and limitations to consider. Usually the only side-effect is minimal swelling, redness and bruising in the areas where injections were targeted. This should be minor. If you experience anything more than minimal pain or discomfort, contact your surgeon.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, your surgeon will postpone treatment. When you disclose your full medical history he or she will work with you to discuss whether or not you are a true candidate for treatment. Your doctor will consider your full medical history to note whether or not you are safe for the procedure.
In extreme cases, people have reported trouble with speech, vision issues and muscle weakness throughout the body. These are not common and if you do experience anything like this contact your doctor immediately or get immediate medical assistance.
It has medical uses that move away from aesthetics and focus on the patient’s well-being, such as in cases of involuntary muscle hyperhidrosis. But do not forget that there are also possible side effects and that most of them are caused by abusing Botox and misusing this toxin.
In this sense, the application of Botox is extremely delicate, and its use is not recommended in the lower area of the face or people with less than 20 years or more than 65. Also, it should only be done by a plastic surgeon who possess the precise knowledge, both of the doses and the necessary instruments, as of the human anatomy. If Botox is administered by an unprofessional, it will likely result in severe side-effects. So, you must ensure that an expert does it
Side Effects of Santa Barbara Botox Injections
Some of the negative effects that can be derived from malpractice are an allergy to the toxin which can cause difficulty breathing or hives. Also, depending on the area the following cases can occur: if the Botox is injected into the face it can cause headaches, nausea, and inflammation in the area where it has been applied, facial paralysis, drooping of the eyelids, damage to the cornea, constant tearing or otherwise, dry eye syndrome.
If the botulinum toxin is applied in the neck, you can notice a loss of sensitivity in the skin of the area, difficulty swallowing cough, irritation of the throat or rhinitis. If it is used to treat bladder problems, problems with constipation, sleep disturbance, tiredness, and pain when urinating after the injection may arise.
Botox Injection Q&A Discussion
How many botulinum toxin units for 11’s or frown lines?
On average cosmetic surgeons use 15-25 units of botulinum toxin for frown lines and 11’s. This can be variable though dependent on the thickness of skin and the size of muscles. If the muscles are particularly hefty, the surgeon may increase units up to 25-30.
What areas of the face can botulinum toxin be injected?
Botox injections can be effectively used throughout the face, including the forehead, brows, eye area, crow’s feet and on the lips. It also can be used for the chin. A Botox injection is incredibly useful and with the right plastic surgeon possessing expertise, it can make your skin look much smoother.
How can I avoid Botox injection side effects?
To avoid Botox injection side effects you should follow your surgeon’s post-treatment directions implicitly. The best tool you have though is to do your pre-treatment searching for the right plastic surgeon. Take as much time as you need to find someone who has the expertise you need and the patient-care mannerisms that you are comfortable with. The quality of the ending results though are going to depend on what techniques your surgeon uses. For example, the direction of injection, the anatomical areas treated and the dilution of saline to Botox can all effect the results. Drooping of the eyelid, or ptosis, is not common but it can occur—reportedly in about 1-2% of patients. It is temporary and your surgeon can give you specially formulated eye drops to assist with the issue.
What is a Botox lift or Botox injection brow lift?
Strong muscles are positioned in the brow area. They can drag down the face to give a look of frowning or being disgruntled when you aren’t. A botulinum toxin brow lift can assist with this issue. A skilled Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon can administer the proper amount to pull down those strong muscles, giving the brows a look of “lifting”. In general it is common to see 2 millimeters of lifted area post treatment.
Can you exercise after a Botox injection or will it decrease the results?
In general strenuous exercise is not recommended for one week post-treatment. After that though usually it is fine to exercise. There can be some long lasting effects though of botulinum toxin type a.
