Botox Beverly Hills

Treatment Overview

First, you will meet with Dr. Anita to share your concerns and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. This will be followed by a facial analysis. Dr. Anita will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions.

Prior to the treatment, you will fill out consent forms and the skin will be cleansed, cooled with gel ice packs, and prepped for injection.

Dr. Anita will use carefully calibrated injections in precise locations in order to produce natural-looking results tailored to your individual needs. Botox® injections are relatively pain free and quick in Beverly Hills. Pre- and post- (2 weeks after treatment) photos will be taken to show you the side-by-side comparison and highlight changes.

Botox for Jaw Clenching

Botox Vs. Dysport

• Time In Office: 15-30 minutes.
• Anesthesia: None. (Topical numbing available)
• Social Downtime: Generally none
• Post-Treatment Instructions: Patients should not massage the treated areas, lie down for 3 hours, or exercise for at least 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Botox Injection?

Beverly Hills Botox® and Dysport® are both types of botulinum toxin A, which is one of eight neurotoxins made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox works by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) at the neuromuscular junction, which would normally signal the muscle to contract. Blocking this signal causes temporary muscle paralysis until the body is able to create new nerve terminals, typically 3-6 months.

In the United States, there are 4 main commercially available brands of botulinum toxin used for cosmetic purposes: Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.

Botox® is FDA approved for glabellar wrinkles and severe underarm sweating. Dysport® is FDA approved for glabellar wrinkles.

What is Botox Used For?

Botox is used to treat the appearance of wrinkles and lines caused by repeated muscle contraction.

What is Botox Made Of?

Botox is made of onabotulinum toxin A

Is Botox Safe?

Botox is FDA-approved to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. The injections are administered by Dr. Anita herself, who has over 10 years of experience injecting Botox.

Do Botox Injections Hurt?

Most patients describe the feeling as a small pinch. Injections are done with a very small needle which minimizes pain.

How Long Does It Take for Botox to Work?

Botox typically starts working 2-3 days after injection, and can take a full 7-10 days to take effect.

How Long Do Botox Injections Last?

Patient results vary, but injections typically last 3-6 months.

How Often Do You Need Botox?

Every patient metabolizes BOTOX differently so the frequency of injections will vary. When the muscle movement returns and the appearance of the lines starts to become very noticeable, it’s recommended to return for more injections.

How Does Botulinum Toxin a Work?

Botulinum toxin A works by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the presynaptic motor neuron. By blocking its release at the neuromuscular junction, the toxin prevents the nerve from communicating to the muscle to contract, and thereby causes muscle paralysis. The peak of this paralytic effect is seen 4 to 7 days after injection.

The toxin takes about two to three days to start producing a visible effect, and full effects will not be seen until about seven to ten days after treatment. The toxin binding to the receptor is irreversible.

Function recovers from sprouting of new nerve terminals and forming new synaptic contacts. This takes about three months on average, which is why Beverly Hills Botox® and Dysport® are said to last between 3 and 6 months.

What is the Difference Between Botox® and Dysport®?

While Botox® and Dysport® are both botulinum toxin type A. They differ in the carrier proteins used, and therefore have different characteristics that result in a few differences. In general, Botox® kicks in at around two to three days and lasts three to five months, while Dysport® kicks in at around one to two days and lasts about three to six months.

Those who prefer Dysport® feel it seems like a smoother result, especially at the crow’s feet area, and those who prefer Botox® worry that Dysport® may have more risk of causing drooping of the brow. This has not been seen clinically. In fact, Dr. Patel feels both Botox® and Dysport® are both excellent and effective in treating facial wrinkles in Beverly Hills. The only difference is the concentration and dosing of each.

Ready to learn more about Botox? Book an appointment with Dr. Anita Patel, considered one of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.

Is It Possible to Become Immune to Botox® or Dysport®?

It is possible for your body to form antibodies to the toxin, making it no longer effective. The percentage of patients who become non-responders is low, but there are certain factors that are associated with this phenomenon.

In Beverly Hills, the risk factors are having high dose injections per session (over 200 units), and having frequent repeat injections (less than a month apart). To minimize the risk of forming antibodies to the toxin, Dr. Patel recommends using the lowest dose needed for the desired effect, and avoiding frequent re-injections.

What Are the Potential Negative Side Effects?

Potential side effects include temporary headache, bruising, asymmetry, drooping of the brow, peaking of the lateral brow, and unnatural appearance.

Dr. Patel recommends avoiding blood thinners for 10 to 14 days prior to a Beverly Hills injection to minimize risk of bruising. Other described side effects are temporary drooping of the upper lid, nausea, vomiting, or distant spread of toxin.

Who Cannot Get Botox® or Dysport® Injections?

Botulinum toxin should not be injected in anyone with pre-existing neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with infection at the site of planned injection.

Certain medications are also relative contraindications, as they can alter the effect of the toxin, increasing or decreasing its effect.

If you are ready to learn more about Botox in Beverly Hills, book an appointment today.