Frequently Asked Questions
Is Botox® safe?
Yes, Botox is a safe, predictable medication that has been used for over 20 years in both adults and children for both medical and cosmetic conditions.
What areas can be treated by Botox®?
Treatments can be performed in a number of locations including your forehead, between your brows, around lips, eye area, smile lines, neck and chest.
How long do the effects of a Botox® treatment last?
A treatment usually lasts three to four months, at which time another injection is required. After several treatments the frequency and amount of Botox® needed may decrease.
How often will I have to get Botox® treatments?
With repeated motions, all muscles get stronger, even facial muscles. These muscles get strong enough to bend and crease the skin, resulting in shallow and deep wrinkles. Botox® allows the facial muscles to rest and return to their normal size where they give expressions, but do not cause wrinkles. If the initial series of treatments is done at the prescribed intervals of 3-4 months, then often the amount and frequency of future treatments can be decreased significantly.
What is a Botox® treatment like?
Botox® procedures are fast, simple, and minimally invasive. No anesthesia is required. Injections are administered with an ultra-fine needle directly into the area being treated. Discomfort is minimal and brief. Once complete there is usually no discomfort. Most people return directly to normal activity following treatment. There is a slight chance of bruising which can be camouflaged with make-up.
Will my face have a frozen or plastic appearance?
No. Dr. Goldhar tries to achieve a natural, rested appearance that can still display expression. It takes years to learn how to achieve balance in the facial muscles. Dr. Goldhar has been injecting Botox® for over 8 years and has performed over 5,000 treatments.
How does Botox® work?
Normally a nerve sends a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) to a muscle (that contracts). Botox® prevents the release of the messenger and this temporarily stops the muscle from working for about three months. Both the nerve and muscle are normal and are not affected by the Botox.
Can I get Botulism from Botox®?
No. Botox® is safe. Botox® is a natural purified protein that has medicinal uses. Botox is a medication that has cosmetic applications for wrinkle correction and facial expression enhancement and balancing. It is also used in correction of double vision, cerebral palsy therapy and club foot therapy in children as young as two years of age. As well, it is used for treatment of migraines, facial tics, sweating problems, arthritis and even stomach ulcer problems in adults. Botulism is a disease caused by the presence of the bacteria C. botulinum, which produces massive amounts of toxin. There are no bacteria in Botox.