Botox
Over time, the constant movement of the facial muscles can cause normal signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles to develop. FDA-approved BOTOX Cosmetic is often the best and most commonly used option for counteracting these early signs of aging.1 Sometimes called “botulinum toxin type A,” BOTOX is composed of botulism, a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes muscles and is one of the most popular injectables in the world, treating facial wrinkles, fine lines, and forehead lines, as well as other medical conditions such as chronic migraines, excessive sweating, strabismus, and overactive bladder. Columbia and DMV-based plastic surgeon and BOTOX specialist Dr. Sarah Mess and her team of experienced aesthetic injectors trust this treatment to provide consistent and dependable results for those that wish to rejuvenate their facial appearance and restore a more youthful glow.
Schedule an Appointment
Preparing for BOTOX Cosmetic & Patient Candidacy
Dr. Mess and her expert clinical injectors will go over your medical history and desired cosmetic goals, in addition to providing information on how to prepare for your procedure. Once they have determined that you are a good candidate for BOTOX injections, she and her team of nurse injectors will develop a medical treatment plan. If you have sensitive skin, applying ice packs to the injection site can reduce blood flow and
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Botox injections
Mayo Clinic
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lessen the chances of bruising
after the treatment is complete.
Some of the
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Who Is a Good Candidate for botulinum toxin injections?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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signs of aging
that patients seek BOTOX® treatment for are:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines around the corners of the mouth (crow’s feet)
- Frown lines
- Neck bands
- Gummy smile
The BOTOX Cosmetic Treatment
Each BOTOX Cosmetic procedure is done on an outpatient basis and takes just a few minutes to complete. Before the injections are administered, the face should be free of any impurities, including makeup. Dr. Mess or one of our nurse injectors will administer BOTOX Cosmetic using a very fine needle, which is inserted directly into the targeted muscles of the face.
BOTOX Cosmetic can also be combined with other injectables and fillers to treat facial imperfections. Patients can use this helpful guide to learn more about which non-surgical options may be used to treat different areas of the face.
Recovery & Results After BOTOX Cosmetic
After the treatment is complete, you will be able to
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What should I expect during my recovery after botulinum toxin injections?
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resume day-to-day activities immediately
. The injected area(s) may temporarily appear red. This is normal and skin irritation usually subsides in just a few hours. In the first 24 to 48 hours, Dr. Mess and her nurse injectors may recommend patients do the following:
- Avoid touching the treated sites in order to prevent BOTOX Cosmetic from spreading to other parts of the face
- Do not consume large amounts of alcohol
- Avoid taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin
- Patients should avoid laying down for the first 4 hours post procedure
- There is no recovery time associated with BOTOX Cosmetic injections. In fact, some patients choose to come during their lunch break for treatment and return to work right after the appointment.
The effects of BOTOX Cosmetic begin working to relax the muscles as soon as the procedure is complete. The final results of the injections become apparent after about a week and can last up to four months.5 Patients are often amazed by the results that these injections provide and typically experience a boost in confidence provided by the natural-looking results.
Dr. Mess and her staff are amazing. From the moment I walked into the office and had my first consultation, I knew that I was in the right place. Dr. Mess and her team are very professional, knowledgeable, kind, and attentive. I have had an excellent experience and know that I am in the best hands.
KT - GoogleFAQs About BOTOX Cosmetic
How Much Does BOTOX Cosmetic Cost?
The total cost of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is determined by the number of areas treated and the number of units required to achieve the desired results in each area. Dr. Mess charges $15 per unit, and she uses only authentic BOTOX® Cosmetic manufactured by Allergan. Be sure and ask about Allē/Brilliant Distinctions Loyalty points for all your Allergan products. The savings can be significant.
*BOTOX® Cosmetic is often performed in conjunction with dermal fillers such as Voluma, Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, or Radiesse as part of a liquid facelift.
Can I combine other procedures or treatments with BOTOX Cosmetic?
BOTOX is often performed in conjunction with dermal fillers such as Voluma, Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, or Radiesse as part of a liquid facelift.
Are there any side effects associated with BOTOX Cosmetic?
Botox has gone through rigorous clinical trials and has been proven both safe and effective for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. Although rare, BOTOX can
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cause certain side effects
, such as pain and/or swelling and redness at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, neck pain, headache, muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, double vision, dry eye, or excessive tearing. While incredibly rare, allergic reactions have been known to occur. If you have had BOTOX and are experiencing side effects, it’s important to contact Dr. Mess or another healthcare professional as soon as possible.
What’s the difference between BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport, and Xeomin?
BOTOX, Dysport, and Xeomin are all brand names for
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Comparison and Overview of Currently Available Neurotoxins
The Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology
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toxins made of clostridium botulinum
and are very similar toxins, with each used to treat facial lines and wrinkles as well as other medical conditions such as cervical dystonia. Dysport and Xeomin are generally used to treat moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines between the brows), while BOTOX has a greater range of uses, including primary axillary underarm hyperhidrosis, blepharospasm, upper limb spasticity, urinary incontinence, chronic migraine, and moderate to severe glabellar lines.
Who should not receive BOTOX Cosmetic injections?
Those who are allergic to any ingredients in BOTOX Cosmetic should not get BOTOX injections, as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Contact Dr. Sarah Mess for BOTOX® Cosmetic in Columbia, MD
Dr. Sarah Mess and her team are committed to providing patients with the best possible patient care and information about non-surgical options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you.
Sources1 Ada Regina Trindade de Almeida, MDa, Suelen Montagner, MDb. Botulinum Toxin for
Axillary Hyperhidrosis. Dermatol Clin. 2014 Oct;32(4):495-504. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2014.06.013. Accessed July 22, 2020.
2 Mayo Clinic. Botox injections. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658 Accessed July 22, 2020.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Who Is a Good Candidate for botulinum toxin injections? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin. Accessed July 22, 2020.
4 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What should I expect during my recovery after botulinum toxin injections? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin/recovery. Accessed July 22, 2020.
5 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What results should I expect after botulinum toxin injections? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin/results. Accessed July 22, 2020.
6 Mayo Clinic. Botox Injections. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658. Accessed April 23, 2021.
7The Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. Comparison and Overview of Currently Available Neurotoxins. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935649/. Accessed April 23, 2021.
Dr. Sarah Mess has either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated
