BOTOX®
BOTOX injection at Bluegrass Plastic Surgery in Lexington, KY is an in-office procedure that involves tiny injections into precise locations of facial muscles. BOTOX cosmetic injections are approved by the FDA for temporary improvement of smile lines around the eyes, forehead creases, and frown lines between the eyebrows. Improvement is noted in about 2 to 4 days with peak effect at 2 to 3 weeks. Treatment can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on the area treated and the depth of the skin lines. It is important that a trained medical professional perform this procedure to obtain the best possible result and minimize the risk of complications.
BOTOX cosmetic is a neuromuscular blocking agent also known as onabotulinumtoxinA. It works to temporarily soften or eliminate lines that are caused by overactive muscles in the face.
Injection of BOTOX into the procerus and corrugator muscles between the eyebrows treats the horizontal and vertical lines in this region. Treatment of the frontalis muscle, which produces transverse lines in the forehead, softens or eliminates creases, smoothing the forehead for a more youthful look.
The smile lines around the eyes or the “Crow’s feet” are the result of contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. BOTOX injection into this muscle helps to soften the wrinkles around the eyes. Additionally, injection into the orbicularis oculi muscle just below the tail of the eyebrow can give a lift to the outer brow.
BOTOX cosmetic can be used “off-label” for other areas such as the orbicularis oris muscle of the upper lip to soften vertical upper lip lines. This is often referred to as a “lip flip” when it produces mild augmentation of the upper lip. BOTOX injection into the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle can treat a gummy smile. Treatment of the nasalis muscle smooths wrinkles on the sides of the nose and injection into the mentalis muscle treats chin dimpling.
Areas that can be treated with BOTOX injection include:
:: forehead creases
:: frown lines between the eyebrows (“the 11’s”)
:: the eyebrows (can be subtly lifted or shaped)
:: smile lines around the eyes (“Crow’s feet”)
:: “bunny lines” on the sides of the nose
:: vertical lip lines (can be softened)
:: a “gummy” smile
:: thin upper lip with a “lip flip”
:: dimpling in the chin
Q&A:
Q: How many units of BOTOX will I need?
A: At Bluegrass Plastic Surgery in Lexington, KY, BOTOX injection is individualized for every patient. The amount of BOTOX you need depends on the area(s) you are interested in having treated, the degree of wrinkling and how strong or hyperactive your muscles are. In general, the glabellar area between the eyebrows is often treated with 20 to 30 units, the smile lines around the eyes with 15 to 30 units and the forehead area with 10 to 20 units. It is common for a patient to have multiple areas treated at the same time, using one 50 unit vial.
Q: How long does BOTOX last?
A: BOTOX cosmetic injections work temporarily and usually last between 3 and 6 months.
Q: Can you lift my eyebrows with BOTOX?
A: Yes, when the muscles that pull the eyebrows down are treated with BOTOX, the eyebrows will elevate. How high the eyebrows lift up will depend on how much downward pull (or tone) the depressor muscles had before BOTOX treatment.
Q: What is a “lip flip”? How much does it cost?
A: BOTOX is placed to increase the amount of “show” of the upper lip near the Cupid’s bow. In other words, a patient with a thin upper lip will notice a subtle increase in the red portion of the lip in the region where it curves or “bows” centrally. We usually use 6 units of BOTOX for a cost of $90.
Q: How do you get rid of the vertical lines in the upper lip?
A: BOTOX does not get rid of vertical lip lines, but can help to soften the appearance of upper lip lines. We usually use 5 to 10 units of BOTOX in this area for a cost of $75 to $150. Vertical lip lines can also be treated with an injectable filler such as Restylane Silk® or Juvéderm Volbella®.
Q: How much does BOTOX cost?
A: The price of BOTOX is based on the number of units that are injected:
25 units $325
30 units $390
35 units $455
40 units $480
45 units $540
50 units $575
75 units $862
100 units $1100
Prices are subject to change.
All BOTOX injections are performed by our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Therese-Anne LeVan.
If you are interested in more information or would like to schedule a consultation or treatment, please call our office at (859)276-5577 or fill out our contact form and we will be happy to reserve an appointment time for you.
We participate in both Allē and Aspire rewards programs. When you join Allē, you earn points with every BOTOX® and Juvéderm® injectable filler treatment for savings on future treatments. As an Aspire Galderma rewards member, you earn points and coupons for treatment with Sculptra® and Restylane® brand injectable fillers. Both programs are free to join.