BOTOX® 101: Getting Beautiful Safely

More than four million American women used injectable fillers such as BOTOX® Cosmetic last year. East Tennessee women are no exception to this trend but many of you still have questions about the administration, side effects and results associated with BOTOX®. Medi-Spa at Knoxville Dermatology Group set out to answer your most frequently asked questions.

Is BOTOX® Cosmetic safe?
BOTOX® has been used therapeutically for 17 years. The same formulation received FDA approval in 2002 for treatment of moderate to severe frown lines (also known as 11s) between the brows.

Will BOTOX® Cosmetic leave me with a frozen face?
Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic does not make you look like “you’ve had work done.” The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases.

What areas can be treated with BOTOX®?
The most common areas are forehead, glabella, lips, crow’s feet, brow lift and neck.

I’ve heard that BOTOX® can be used to control hyperhidrosis. Is this true?
Yes. BOTOX® is also used on underarms, hands and feet to treat hyperhidrosis. These treatments slow the production of sweat glands and can last for five to nine months.

Brooke Nix, PA-C treats a Medi-Spa patient.

If I stop using BOTOX® Cosmetic, will my face look different than before?
The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic can last up to four months. When the drug wears off, your face will return to its pretreatment condition. Many people choose to continue regular treatments (typically two to three times per year).

Do men use BOTOX® Cosmetic as well?
Yes, men constitute about 10% of all BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments and that number continues to grow.

What credentials should I look for when choosing my provider?
Choose an experienced provider – someone highly trained injecting BOTOX® Cosmetic who has done many treatments. Medical practices that focus on facial aesthetics, such as Medi-Spa at Knoxville Dermatology Group, have expansive knowledge of facial anatomy and experience injecting BOTOX® Cosmetic. In fact, Medi-Spa is the largest dermatological provider of BOTOX® Cosmetic in Tennessee. Experience, integrity and credibility matter when choosing a provider.