BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment. You should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained, and a medical expert in facial anatomy. It is important to talk to your specialist about the results you want from treatment.

Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX^® Cosmetic feels like a pinch. Your specialist may use ice to numb the treatment area. If you are concerned about discomfort, your specialist may apply a topical numbing cream before administering your treatment.

Three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies and 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow’s feet studies. Other possible side effects include: dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight and dry eyes; and allergic reactions. These are not all of the possible serious side effects of BOTOX^® Cosmetic. Please see the Important Safety Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, and talk to your specialist.

Your specialist will discuss your treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate treatments for you. The actual injection process takes about 10 minutes.

Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the specialist or healthcare professional who is administering your treatment. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment—look for someone who is licensed and trained and has experience treating patients with BOTOX^® Cosmetic. Be wary of discount products or “cheap” BOTOX^® Cosmetic—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It is more important to find an experienced specialist who will take the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines, with results lasting up to 4 months.

For the crow’s feet area, your specialist will inject 3 areas of the orbicularis oculi, the muscle that frames the side of the eye. This will be repeated on the orbicularis oculi muscle on the other eye.

For the frown lines area, your specialist will administer 5 injections into muscles in your forehead—1 in the procerus muscle and 4 in the corrugator muscles.

After your treatment, you can resume your day. There is minimal downtime and your specialist may give you specific aftercare instructions.

Yes. BOTOX^® Cosmetic has also been clinically evaluated in male patients. In clinical studies for moderate to severe frown lines, 17.5% of patients treated with BOTOX^® Cosmetic were men. In the clinical studies for moderate to severe crow’s feet, male patients comprised approximately 10% of patients treated with BOTOX^® Cosmetic.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 10% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2014 were on men—that is more than 1 million cosmetic procedures. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased by 273% from 1997 to 2014.

 Usually after the first treatment, hair roots may shed within 10-20 days, depending on the area.  The best way to estimate your next treatment date is to observe the new hair growth.  The subsequent treatment is usually four to eight (4 to 8) weeks after the previous treatment; 6 weeks is a common interval.  When you start to see new stubble (new hair growth), and there are enough new hairs, you can make an appointment within a week or two.  As more treatments are done, the interval between treatments may be as much as 8 to 10 weeks.  Do not wait too long between cycles of hair growth (more than 2 to 3 months) because you may “miss” a period of hair growth.  The laser only works on growing hairs (anagen phase).  Not all hairs are growing at the same time (telogen and catogen phases) and so not all hair falls out during a given treatment.  Hairs do not fall out instantly from the root, however some surface hairs may appear singed and some of these surface hairs fall off almost instantly.  Please shave off surface hair as close to the skin as possible to reduce the discomfort and smell of burnt hairs.

 You will typically see results starting with your first session.  For most people hair growth will be less and the hairs finer; your skin will become smoother; and the hair pores on your skin may become less visible after each session.  The results will usually become more apparent with each following session.  If you wait too long between sessions, it may appear that the hairs “all came back.”  These are likely new hairs from a different cycle or weakened hairs from the last treatment.  People who do over 15 to 20 treatments are usually non responders for permanent hair reduction, but continue with laser because they like having less of a “5 o’clock shadow” and/or they react better to laser than waxing.

 With the right machine, minimal sun exposure, and licensed, trained clinicians, you will not experience damage to your skin.  Possible short-term reactions include redness, swelling, and follicular edema (similar to goose bumps).  These may take from a few minutes to several hours to fade away.  Most people can get treated during their lunchtime and there are minimal or no visible indications of treatment when they return to work.  Burns occur rarely and are usually in people with recent prolonged sun exposure or people with darker skin, even if wearing sunscreen.  Burns are painful and may result in lightening or darkening of the affected skin for months to years or permanently.  Please inform the clinician of any effects immediately and seek medical treatment.  Use of outside consultants and products are not the financial responsibility our office.  Please read and sign the consent form before receiving any treatment and ask questions.  Long-term side effects do not include cancer.  

 The laser emits light energy.  You may feel heat and a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band.  There is no bleeding and no open wound is created.  While some areas of the body, like the upper lip and pubic hair area are more sensitive than others, many patients report a tolerable sensation.  If there is unusual discomfort, please let us know so that we can adjust the laser treatment accordingly.  We can use ice or numbing creams for sensitive areas.  Those who have had waxing, threading, and/or electrolysis, or treatment with other lasers, usually report that our laser causes less discomfort.  Always shave off unwanted hairs at home before your treatment.  Shaving makes for more comfortable treatments because the long hairs on the surface will not press on your skin.  Remember, we want to treat the roots of the hairs, not the hair above the skin.  Laser energy treats the roots of hairs so do not wax, pluck, or pull the roots out for at least 3 weeks prior to treatment of the desired area for better results.  It’s okay to shave your face or use a trimmer.  Shaving does not cause hair to grow back more coarse or numerous, but will reflect your natural hair growth had you not done anything to it.  

 Infrequently, individuals have stubborn hairs that are minimally affected by the laser and/or need ongoing treatments to keep hairs away.  There Is no way of knowing who these individuals may be, however genetic inheritance and hormonal issues including polycystic ovaries, thyroid problems, steroid use, pregnancy, menopause, and changing birth control pills may predispose some people to less than optimal results.  There are no refunds for treatments already rendered and no free treatments for people who do not get desired results. 

 Treatments may stretch as long as a year or two, especially if multiple body parts are started at different times.  During that time individuals may move, decide that they don’t want treatments, have financial difficulties, be a non-responder, or even change providers for treatment.  There is no refund or credit for purchases already made, nor for procedures that are already done.

 Laser hair removal has no success on white, gray, light red or light blond hair follicles.  Also, people with Skin Type VI (darkest) may experience less than optimal results, i.e. need more treatments at lower settings, and have higher risks of side effects including burns and blistering and skin discoloration.  People who tan easily, have too much unintentional sun exposure, intentionally tan, or who don’t wear sun screen may also experience similar adverse effects.  Some freckles or moles may darken or lighten during treatment.

 Yes.  We can somewhat customize your treatment by doing less treatments in an area or treating at lower settings.  We can weaken and reduce your hair in an area while still leaving a certain amount.  This is especially true in the bikini area where some people want to reduce the thickness and coarseness of bikini hair.  Two or three treatments in the whole bikini to remove all the hair followed by shaving to the desired final shape in the last few treatments is common among patients.  By experience, most people start with a large triangle shape and with each treatment, they shave smaller and smaller as they enjoy having less hair. 

 Definitely.  Even after one treatment most people will notice that the incidence of ingrown hairs lessen.  Within a few months, the area is smoother and the color of your skin improves.  Remember that some skin types, especially darker skin tones, will retain the same dark skin color despite removal of the hair.  This darker area of skin is normal in colored individuals around areas that flex often (underarms, groin, behind knees, neck).

 Prices are usually given per area per session.  This is for the convenience of the clients so you, as a consumer, will always have the option to stop after the amount of sessions you believe are sufficient.  However, multiple area and multiple treatment discounts are intermittently available and can be displayed as specials during any given day.  Prices may change without notice and specials changes periodically.  Our prices are competitive and no price matching is accepted.