Have you ever wondered what’s the Big Deal with Botox? Is it safe? Do you know anyone who’s actually had it? Or better yet, do you know anyone who knows the answers to frequently asked questions or Botox FAQs?

Well, I’m your girl! I am a recently retired cosmetic dermatologist who is a big fan of Botox as well as a personal user of it! In this post, I will tell you the scoop on Botox and give you the answers to those questions you’ve been wondering about. I’ll tell you what areas it has been FDA-approved for as well as other areas that I have had it. Let’s go!

Botox FAQs:

1. What is Botox? BOTOX^® Cosmetic is the most well-known aesthetic injectable treatment in the world, used for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles, enhancing facial features, and preventing specific signs of aging. Botox can diminish fine lines and wrinkles between the brows, around the eyes, and around the mouth, as well as be used for eyebrow shaping and enhancement, brow lifting, and facial sculpting of the nose, lips, jawline, neck, and corners of the mouth. It can also be used to diminish underarm sweating.
2. How does Botox work? BOTOX^® Cosmetic is an injectable with an active ingredient that has been used medically for many years to treat numerous medical conditions, including muscle spasms. The ingredient, a purified form of a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, hinders or decreases a muscle’s ability to contract. Decreasing a muscle’s ability to contract (if that muscle causes a wrinkle) can result in softening of that wrinkle.
3. Where can Botox be used? BOTOX^® Cosmetic is ideal for addressing fine lines and wrinkles between the brows (frown lines), fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), horizontal forehead wrinkles, and fine lines around the mouth (smoker’s or lipstick lines). It is also a treatment of choice for diminishing armpit sweating. Because it forces muscles to stay at rest for some period of time, it can also be used for the prevention of lines by relaxing muscles early so that they cannot contribute to deeper wrinkles in the future.
4. Is Botox safe? Yes, Botox is safe when used by an EXPERIENCED injector. As a retired cosmetic dermatologist, I believe you should select an injector on the basis of their training and they should be VERY comfortable answering your questions about their injecting experience. Don’t get Botox at a Botox party at your girlfriend’s house. Go to a board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or nurse practitioner with lots of experience. Pro-tip: When you call to schedule your first cosmetic appointment, the person taking the call should be able to answer or direct you to someone in the practice who can explain what to expect from your appointment. If they can’t, move on to a different practice.
5. Is Botox painful? Typically, Botox is injected with a very fine needle over the areas of concern. It is really just a series of fine pinches in the areas being treated. I am very sensitive and when I inject my own BOTOX, I sometimes ice sensitive areas (like the upper lip). In my practice, I also applied a topical anesthetic to any patient who was very sensitive. In my experience, patients were nervous the first time they had BOTOX, but subsequently, most were quite tolerant of the quick procedure.
6. How long does the procedure take? Typically less than 15 minutes. But it’s REALLY IMPORTANT that the practice you select take a complete medical history before injecting you. Questions such as having a history of allergic reactions to Latex, medical problems, pregnancy, and breastfeeding should all be discussed by the provider before any injections are administered.
7. How long does it take to see results and how long does it last? Results start to show within 24-48 hours but full results can take up to one month. It typically lasts up to four months.
8. Will I look unnatural? Good BOTOX NEVER LOOKS unnatural. Unfortunately, some injectors overtreat the patient and make them look too “frozen”. This wears off, but the best way to get a great result from the start is to do your homework. Take the time to talk with the potential injector and ask questions. Also, look at the staff. If they look unnatural. don’t get injected there. Ask your girlfriend (who looks great) who did her injections and go there!
9. Where is BOTOX FDA-approved? It has been FDA-approved for horizontal forehead lines, mid-forehead frown lines, and crow’s feet. That said, a SKILLED Injector can inject into multiple other areas of the face and neck.
10. Which is better, BOTOX or Filler? They are both excellent and I have BOTH all over my face. Botox relaxes fine lines and expression lines, while fillers “fill in” creases and areas of volume that have been lost with the passage of time. (Stay tuned for a future filler post!)

Conclusion to Botox FAQs (and Where Have I Had It?)

I am a 66-year-old recently retired cosmetic dermatologist. I have been receiving BOTOX in my face for approximately 20 years. I get it three times a year and I have it in all of these places:

• horizontal forehead lines
• glabellar lines (between my brows)
• crow’s feet
• bunny lines (sides of my nose)
• lipstick lines (also called “smoker’s lines”
• corners of my mouth (called DAOs)
• puckered chin
• necklines

Does this surprise you? It shouldn’t. I love the use of BOTOX for relaxing fine lines and wrinkles. I think it’s a wonderful product. But, be sure to use a skilled injector. AND I think the BEST way to evaluate a good BOTOX result is to see the person while they’re talking to you. Below’s a recent video of me discussing an outfit I am wearing. It shows me raising my brows, smiling, etc. I think I look very natural and hopefully, good for my age. That’s what I’m always striving for. Did I pull it off?

Please DM me any questions or concerns on Instagram @drjuliemarshall. Or leave a comment below. Happy Day!

XO,

Dr. Julie

PS Here are a few more posts for you to enjoy:

Dermatologist Advice for Anti-Aging Products

This Dermatologist’s Make-up Routine and Favorite Products

How to wear White Jeans in Winter

Black Blazer Outfit, Six Different Looks