Frequently Asked Questions

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
A BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is a simple, nonsurgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows that develop over time. One 10-minute treatment—a few tiny injections—relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed up to four months. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been widely tested. Now it’s approved by the FDA. The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, BOTOX® Cosmetic virtually "erases" these lines. Unlike surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. With BOTOX® Cosmetic, they’ll know you’ve done something, they just won’t know what.

What BOTOX® Cosmetic is not.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is not magic. It’s medicine, the result of years of careful research and testing. Allergan’s BOTOX® product is the only one of its type with over 10 years of success in treating patients with a variety of conditions. With dosing specific to treat frown lines, this same product is now available as BOTOX® Cosmetic. BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you’ve had "work done". It will not make you look 20 years younger. Because it’s highly localized and administered intramuscularly, its effects are usually confined to the region of injection, and BOTOX® Cosmetic does not remain in your body indefinitely.

Is BOTOX® Cosmetic right for you?
If doing all you can to look your best is important to you, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be for you. If reducing those tough lines between your brows would make you feel more approachable, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be for you. Thousands of appearance-conscious women and men have already discovered the benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Not just models and movie stars, but ordinary people—teachers, mothers, and business people from all walks of life.

Who should administer BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Any authorized health care professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic, however ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, otolaryngologists, or other cosmetic physicians are generally more experienced.

What can I expect from BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although some doctors may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief—most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. It is unlikely you will develop significant side effects, although some people may develop slight temporary bruising at the injection site, which can easily be covered by makeup. You may resume normal activity immediately. Within days, you'll see a marked improvement which may continue to improve for as long as a week and should last up to four months.

BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows to form. So you can frown, smile, or look surprised—without the furrows, creases, and wrinkles. The most common side effects are headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used if there is an infection at the injection site.

Who is a good candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Any woman or man who is concerned about the appearance of their frown lines can consider BOTOX® Cosmetic. Treatment can be used by people from ages 18 to 65. Our physicians can help you decide if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you.

What exactly is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles that cause lines to form. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic are usually confined to the injected region; it does not travel throughout the body.

Are BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments painful?
Discomfort is minimal and brief. Your physician may choose to use a local anesthetic cream or ice to minimize this. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?
No. Your lines gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance.

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts up to four months.

Is BOTOX® Cosmetic expensive?
When considering your facial aesthetic options, you'll find that BOTOX® Cosmetic is quite affordable. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s 2000 survey, BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures, ranking 7th in the 9 most widely-used procedures in the United States. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts, teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations. Pricing will be discussed during individual consultation. Injections are customized to individual patient needs and concerns and thus prices may vary between patients.

Additional Information
BOTOX® Cosmetic is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Do not exceed the recommended dosage and frequency of administration of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic for cosmetic purposes may result in the formation of antibodies that may reduce the effectiveness of subsequent treatments with BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar lines or other indications. However rare, the potential for antibody formation may be minimized by injecting with the lowest effective dose given with the longest feasible intervals between injections.