BOTOX | DYSPORT

Injectables such as Botox® and Dysport® are neuromodulators, which help to temporarily relax the muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They work by blocking chemical signals from the nerves to the muscles, resulting in paralysis of the muscles underneath the injection area. 

Neuromodulators are typically used to help treat frown lines, crow's feet, migraines and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Additionally, neuromodulators help reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Also, neuromodulators can be used to encourage facial slimming and treat wrinkles around the chest and neck.

For seven days Before Treatment:  

If possible, avoid Aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Fish oil, Ginko Biloba, St. John's Wort and high doses of vitamin E, as these may cause an increased risk of bleeding and bruising at the treated site(s).   

Regular multi-vitamins and Tylenol® are permitted (If not contraindicated).   

If you have any history of Herpes Simplex (cold sores) on your face, make sure you inform me on your intake sheet on my booking site, this will allow us adequate time to arrange a prescription medication to prevent an outbreak.  

The Day Before Your Treatment:  

Avoid alcoholic beverages, which can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising at the treated site(s).  Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or the use of hair removal creams in the area(s) to be treated.  Sunburnt skin is difficult to treat, so avoid exposure to the sun.  

Appointment Day:  

If you have concerns about discomfort, take Tylenol® (if not contraindicated) 1 hour before your appointment.  Please eat a small meal or a snack before your appointment. 

Please arrive to your appointment on time and with a clean face. If you are coming from work, an appointment, school or any other miscellaneous activity, do not worry; I will disinfect your face.   

If it is your first appointment with me, it will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour.  We will discuss your health history, review medications, and make a treatment plan together. During this time, I discuss neuromodulators with you and allow you to have any questions answered. Once satisfied, we will do before photos. These photos will not be shared on social media, and are only for the purpose of your chart and tracking results. 

Next, you will sign a consent and then we will have a video call with my medical director if there is a concern. Sharing your information with my medical director is required by law, as anyone receiving any medications or injections needs under the direction physician or nurse practitioner. The call is very quick, and suggestions or recommendations for your treatment plan may be made.   

After the call, I will clean your face twice and proceed with the injections. I separate the discussed dose into several needles. I do this to keep track of each injection point, especially since I enjoy small talk and continue to answer questions or engage in educational discussions while injecting. Also, by changing needles, pain is decreased and the risk of infection is reduced.  

If you are returning, your appointment will take approximately 15 minutes. We will talk about any changes to your health or treatment plan. We do not have to have a second call with my medical director unless your health, medications, or service being provided have changed.   

After the injections are complete, I disinfect the points of injection, and review post-care instructions. We will complete with an after photo, again only for the purpose of my documentation of the procedure. 

The DO's  

• You should keep your head UPRIGHT for at least 4 hours after injection.  
• Try to exercise your treated muscles for about 2 hours after treatment (e.g. practice frowning, raising your eyebrows, or squinting). This helps to work Botox Cosmetic® into your muscles. It will NOT negatively impact your treatment if you don't do this. 
• Headaches are common, even though Botox® is used to treat headaches. Therefore, if you have a headache, it is recommended to avoid Aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Instead, you may opt to use Motrin, Tylenol, and/or cool compresses. If headaches continue or worsen, contact your physician.   
• You may apply cold compresses or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce swelling or discomfort.  Cold compresses may be used 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off to reduce swelling 2-3x per day during the 1st 1-2 days if needed. 
• It is recommended that you wait four hours after the treatment before applying make-up.    

The Do NOT's  

• Do NOT massage or apply pressure on the treated area for 6-8hrs after treatment since Botox may migrate to areas of undesirable effects. 
• Do NOT lie down, lean forward, shower, or cook over a hot stove for 4 hours after treatment.  
• Avoid rigorous exercise activities, extensive sun or heat exposure, and alcoholic beverages for the first 24 hours after treatment. This may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection sites.  
• Avoid facials and saunas for 24 hours after treatment since this will decrease the chance of your blood pressure rising and thus decrease the chance of minor and temporary bruising.  
• Avoid taking Advil, Vitamin E, Ginger, Ginko, Bilboa, Ginseng, and Garlic for two weeks since this may increase the risk of bruising. 
• Micro-needling should be avoided for two weeks before and two weeks after other injections.

• Any bumps or marks are normal and will disappear within a few minutes to a few hours.  
• If you develop a bruise, it will resolve just like other bruises you have had in about a week.  
• There is occasionally some mild pain, swelling, itching, or redness at the injection site, similar to most other injections.  
• Redness may last for 1-2 days, rarely longer.  
• Results of your treatment may take up to 14 days to take full effect, although many people will recognize the benefits in 3-5 days after treatment. 
• Drooping eyelid (eyelid ptosis), and other muscles depending on the area of treatment may droop. We will discuss this risk before signing consent. Although this occurrence is very rare, it can happen. Treatment for this is time - to wait it out. You may try a variety of eye drops, however, they may not be effective. Please contact me if this happens and we will discuss a plan. Alternatively, frequently working out the affected muscle is known to help. Otherwise, injections to counter the dropped area also may help.

Botox Cosmetic® and Dysport® are temporary procedures. In most people, the benefits of neuromodulators last about six months. Sometimes a few wrinkles may start to return in 2-3 months. The effectiveness of neuromodulators will last longer with successive treatments.  

Initially, I may want to see you between 2-4 weeks for a brief "touch-up" and checkup of the procedure if necessary. 

If you allow your neuromodulator to wear off completely, it is difficult for me to see how your muscles reacted. Therefore, optimal results for your face can be more challenging to achieve.

If you do not see results from your treatment, it may mean that we need to change the dosage, the type of neuromodulator that we use, or we need to create a new treatment plan. We should discuss this two weeks after your treatment.

• Redness 
• Heat in the area of injection
• Swelling 
• Feel dizzy or faint

Although all of the above are uncommon, it could be a sign of infection or a delayed allergic reaction.