In honor of National Botox Day, November 18th, we wanted to share with you a little about one of the most popular treatments we offer.
Botox 101
Botox Cosmetic is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is used to soften facial expression lines. It is a misnomer that Botox treats the skin directly, in fact, Botox is injected directly into the muscles that cause certain facial expressions. We treat these underlying muscles because as we repeatedly furrow, squint, and raise our eyebrows we also etch lines into our skin. When Botox is injected into the muscle it disrupts the nerve impulse from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax and the skin on the surface to lay still, thus improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles and reducing future formation.
Did you know? Botox has been used extensively to treat a variety of different medical conditions – including excessive sweating, migraines, muscle spasms, and overactive bladders. It is approved for use in over 90 different countries!
Botox Treatment Experience
During your treatment consultation, your nurse practitioner will assess the area to be treated including muscle strength, the severity of lines, as well as the unique way your muscles contract during expression. She will also discuss with you the goals of your treatment, as Botox can be customized based on the amount of movement you would like to maintain after treatment.
Your skin will be marked with a white pencil and the needed amount of Botox will be drawn up into a syringe with a very small needle at the end. Most patients report that the injections feel like a pinch, with some feeling warmth as the product is dispensed. The treatment itself is very quick! You may notice small little lumps at the site of injection with accompanying redness and possibly bruising. The swelling and redness usually resolve that same day with any bruising lasting a week or two thereafter.
Botox can take up to two weeks to fully take effect and lasts around 3 months. We do recommend a follow-up 2 weeks after your first treatment, as sometimes we need to add a little more to perfect your treatment.
Botox Side Effects
All medical procedures carry the risk of side-effects, which is why it is important for you to disclose all your medications and medical history to help your provider determine if you’re a good candidate. The most common minor side-effects include swelling, redness, bruising, and headache. Though most of these side-effects can be minimized by following the pre and post-treatment instructions provided.
Some of the most feared side effects are frozen faces, droopy eyelids, and peaked eyebrows. These side effects can be mitigated by expressing your goals prior to treatment and following all after-care instructions, including staying upright for 4 hours, avoiding exercise, and very hot environments, as well as not rubbing or massaging the treatment area. Following up with your provider if there are any concerns is also important as some concerns can be corrected (while others will wear away as your Botox wears off).
How Much Does Botox Cost?
Botox is priced per unit. Our regular price here at White Orchid Spa is $12 per unit. The number of units used varies from person to person and is based on the severity of lines, the size of the area, the number of areas treated, the strength of the muscles, and your overall goal. Your provider will discuss the number of units as well as the cost of treatment prior to your consent.
Discounts are also available through the Allē program from Botox manufacturer, Allergan. Each time you treat with an Allergan treatment you earn points for savings on future treatments. The program is free and we can manage the whole process for you. Be sure you sign up for Alle if you are not already a member. A very special annual Botox Day will offer huge savings that only happens once a year. You can visit the site directly at https://alle.com/botoxcosmeticday to ensure your eligibility.
We also offer a Botox Membership here at White Orchid Spa that allows you to pay a monthly fee to “bank” Botox units at a discounted rate. Once you’re ready for your next treatment, we utilize the units that you’ve accrued over the previous few months, and any additional units you may need are priced at a great discount. You also receive discounts throughout the entire spa, including all other services and products. It’s a great way to save money while maintaining your results!
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