Botox
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boston, MA
Botox is an injectable neuromodulator that reduces the appearance of common aesthetic concerns like wrinkles, fine lines, and folds. Containing botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A), Botox blocks neurosignals from the brain, effectively preventing the muscle contractions that cause dynamic wrinkles. Used cosmetically, it is safe and proven to reduce frown lines, “eleven” lines, crow’s feet, and more. It is also FDA-approved to treat medical conditions like excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) and is an effective treatment for chronic migraines and headaches.
JL Plastic Surgery in Boston offers Botox treatments for patients interested in non-surgical facial rejuvenation. We focus on providing all of our patients with personalized and natural-looking results. Our medical director Dr. Jeffrey Lee is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in nonsurgical treatments and cosmetic surgeries of the face, breast, and body.
To schedule a Botox consultation at JL Plastic Surgery please call our office at (617) 340-2822 or contact us online.
Contents
- 1 About Wrinkles & Botox
- 2 Benefits of Botox
- 3 Botox Candidates
- 4 Private Consultation at JL Plastic Surgery
- 5 Preparation and Botox Treatment Steps
- 6 Recovery & Results
- 7 Complementary Treatments
- 8 Cost of Botox in Boston
- 9 FAQ
- 9.1 Will I need multiple treatment sessions to achieve optimal results?
- 9.2 Will Botox make my face look “frozen?”
- 9.3 If I have an event coming up that I want to look my best for, when should I schedule a Botox treatment?
- 9.4 Are there side effects to Botox injections?
- 9.5 Do all patients require an anesthetic before Botox treatments?
- 10 References
About Wrinkles & Botox
The production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other important components of the skin slows down as we age. This leads to the inevitable development of wrinkles and fine lines. Visible aging and how much or how little it affects you is dependent on genetics, ethnicity, and environmental conditions like sun exposure. But with Botox, patients can achieve effective facial rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction in just one session. In the right dose, it can have a very natural-appearing effect that both rejuvenates the face and slows down the aging process.
Botox: The Solution to Dynamic Wrinkles
Facial wrinkles and lines are categorized into two types, dynamic and static. Dynamic lines occur only when making certain facial expressions. We develop lines between the eyebrows, around the mouth, along the forehead, and in other places with the consistent use of our facial muscles. Over time, these imperfections become more prominent and more permanent. (1) These lines can become etched into your skin and be present all the time. This is what is known as a static, or etched, line.
Botox is very effective in the treatment of dynamic lines and in preventing them from turning into static lines. (2) Once lines are etched into the skin, it is very difficult to remove them completely. In this scenario, we recommend regular Botox injections for at least 1 year to soften them as much as possible.
Benefits of Botox
Botox can be safely used on multiple areas of the face and body to treat:
- Crow’s Feet
- Brow Furrows
- Forehead Wrinkles
- Nose Wrinkles
- Frown Lines
- Chin Wrinkles
- Neck Banding
- Gummy Smile
- Masseter (Jaw) Tension
- Trapezius (Neck/Shoulders) Tension
The procedure is FDA-approved, safe, and extensively clinically proven to reduce facial wrinkles. With Dr. Lee’s expertise, patients can achieve a more youthful-looking and revitalized complexion after just one session.
What Is Masseter Botox?
Botox can be used to slim or decrease tension and grinding along the jawline in patients with large masseter muscles. Typically, 20-25 units on each side can make a significant change and result in a slimmer, more feminine facial shape.
Botox Candidates
The ideal candidate for Botox injections is someone experiencing mild to moderate signs of facial aging. This includes fine lines and dynamic wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, nose, neck, and forehead. It can also be used for areas of the lower face, such as masseter muscles, and the base of neck such as the trapezius muscle. Patients should be in good overall health without known allergies to the contents of the injectable. Those with very slight signs of aging can also benefit from Botox injections as preventative care for future wrinkles and fine lines. If you are curious whether or not you qualify for treatment, please schedule a private consultation with us to receive a comprehensive evaluation.
Private Consultation at JL Plastic Surgery
Dr. Lee will meet with you personally to discuss Botox treatment and how it can help you achieve your cosmetic desires. During this appointment, he will closely examine the treatment area before creating your procedure plan. Depending on your specific circumstances, Dr. Lee may administer your injections directly after this appointment. If not, a member of the JL Plastic Surgery staff will schedule your Botox treatment for a later date.
“I met with Dr. Lee today for Botox. His bedside manner was amazing. Answering all my questions and explaining what to expect during and after the injections.”
Preparation and Botox Treatment Steps
Preparing for Botox injections is a very simple process. Patients should avoid:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Tobacco
- Heavy facial moisturizers
- Blood-thinning medications (eg. aspirin)
- Irritating treatments (eg. exfoliants)
Patients should drink plenty of water and eat a balanced meal before their appointment with Dr. Lee to ensure their skin is hydrated. They should also protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays by diligently applying sunscreen.
Dr. Lee starts your treatment by cleansing the face with a gentle soap to remove any makeup and debris from the skin. Next, he marks the treatment area with a surgical pen to plan out his approach. If he uses a numbing agent to improve your comfort, he applies this and waits until it takes effect before starting the procedure. He then administers Botox as a series of injections with a tiny needle. He places very small amounts of the injectable into the targeted areas to relax the muscles. A treatment generally takes 5-10 minutes to perform.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from Botox injections is simple. We ask that you do not wear makeup and avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. You should also avoid taking aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, or any similar types of pain medications for 1 week before and 1 week after your injection session. Most patients can resume their normal activities right away. There may be some redness and a small amount of swelling around the injection sites that will subside quickly. Botox can take up to 2 weeks to become fully effective but most often starts working after a few days. Results are completely noticeable after 4 to 6 weeks.
Complementary Treatments
Fillers
To increase volume and improve facial contouring, Dr. Lee can administer dermal filler injections for his patients. These injectables often contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that the skin produces naturally to balance moisture levels. HA can hold an incredible amount of water, making it a perfect substance to use to restore facial volume.
Brands like Juvederm have lines of dermal fillers that can alter specific areas of the face like the lips, cheeks, and jawline. When injected, the HA supports the skin’s regenerative processes by encouraging wound healing. Fillers are a smooth gel substance that often contain lidocaine to make administration more comfortable. Dr. Lee can incorporate both fillers and Botox into a treatment plan to encourage skin rejuvenation and restoration all in one go.
Facial Balancing
By way of Juvederm dermal fillers, patients can achieve facial balance with simple and quick injections. To balance the face and improve its symmetry, an experienced injector can place very strategic and precise injections to plump the cheeks, define the lips, and outline the jawline. Dr. Lee can create and administer a specific procedure that meets your cosmetic needs.
To learn more about JL Plastic Surgery and Dr. Lee, read our company blog.
Cost of Botox in Boston
The cost of Botox injections depends on the number of areas being treated and the amount needed to properly treat your aesthetic issues. Contact JL Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation for complete facial rejuvenation. You may call our Boston office at (617) 340-2822 to speak to our staff directly.
FAQ
Will I need multiple treatment sessions to achieve optimal results?
For some patients, one Botox treatment provides their desired results. That being said, every Botox patient must return for additional treatments every 3 to 6 months as the toxin eventually wears off.
Will Botox make my face look “frozen?”
Experienced physicians and injectors strategically place Botox injections with care to achieve natural-looking results and smooth contours. This allows patients to preserve movement and avoid a “frozen” look.
If I have an event coming up that I want to look my best for, when should I schedule a Botox treatment?
It can take up to 14 days to notice the full effects of Botox after injection. Therefore, patients should schedule their appointment at least 2 weeks before their big event to appreciate their final results in time.
Are there side effects to Botox injections?
Many patients experience slight bruising, injection site pain or irritation, or headaches after Botox treatments. Each patient is unique, so these effects can vary.
Do all patients require an anesthetic before Botox treatments?
No! Since the needles are small and thin, Botox injection is typically very comfortable. However, some physicians offer some type of topical numbing for their patients if they are concerned about pain or irritation during treatment.
References
- Camargo CP, Xia J, Costa CS, et al. Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2021;2022(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd011301.pub2
- Sun Y, Li Y, Zhang Y, et al. Unparallel improvement patterns of dynamic wrinkles and skin quality after botulinum toxin type A treatment on the upper face. Skin Research and Technology. 2023;29(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13309