BOTOX® Cosmetic FAQs

If you’ve been considering BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, we answer the most commonly asked questions our patients have about BOTOX®. You can also request a consultation with us for more information.

Everyone wants the best results that will look good and complement their natural features. There are so many BOTOX injectors in the Tampa area, but not all of them can deliver the results you want. Dr. Castellano and his team have decades of aesthetic experience and hundreds of satisfied repeat patients. During your consultation, you can see more before and after images and find out how we are able to create remarkably smoother skin with the use of BOTOX.

The best candidates for BOTOX® are in good physical and mental health and want to improve the look of mild to moderate dynamic wrinkles without surgery. BOTOX® can also be used preventatively to limit the appearance of new wrinkles, and slow the progression of existing lines. BOTOX® is not a filler, and will not add volume to deeper lines or fill in facial scars.

Many men and women have exactly the same concern. The problem is that so many of us have seen those frozen BOTOX® faces and think, “I never want my face to look that obviously altered.” The good news is that the majority of BOTOX® results look nothing like those extreme cases. My suggestion is if you’ve done your research and still feel unsure of whether you can achieve the look you want from BOTOX®, to simply come in for a consultation. During your consultation, I’ll talk about the results you can expect and we’ll examine your areas of concern. There is no commitment that comes with a consultation, so after, you can simply go home and think about whether what you’ve learned about BOTOX® makes you want to give it a try. The great thing about BOTOX® is that it’s temporary, so first-timers don’t have to feel too anxious about trying it out.

The surprised look you’re worried about normally comes from an overly aggressive BOTOX® application around the cheeks, eyes and brow, causing the skin to appear puffy and the eyes to seem wider than normal. This is hardly the result of a skillfully performed BOTOX® treatment. Normally, you should simply appear refreshed and alert, but not have an unnatural facial expression. Again, scheduling your session with an experienced injector is the best way to ensure that you look naturally rested and refreshed rather than “done.”

In many cases, BOTOX® is combined with additional nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. For example, BOTOX® can improve the appearance of frown lines while dermal fillers can soften the look of laugh lines (the nasolabial folds). Many patients will schedule ongoing skin rejuvenation procedures along with their BOTOX® treatments, such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels. BOTOX® may also be included with some surgeries, like eyelid surgery or a brow lift, for more comprehensive results.

BOTOX® and Dysport® are both FDA-approved neuromodulators that treat dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the underlying facial muscles. While they work similarly, Dysport may spread slightly more, while BOTOX may offer more precise control in smaller, targeted areas.

Other cosmetic treatments like fillers, lasers and chemical peels can also be used to smooth away fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. The best treatment option for you will depend on your specific goals. Keep in mind that medical-grade skin care can help with lines and wrinkles over time, but it won’t be able to deliver the same level of results as an injectable like BOTOX.

Before your appointment, Dr. Castellano will discuss your appearance goals so that he has a clear understanding of your hopes following your appointment. Next, he’ll study the way your facial muscles move when you make certain expressions to determine where to best place the injections for the greatest impact. Including prep and cleaning time, the entire injection process is finished in moments, and can often be completed over your lunch break. Appointment length may vary depending on whether additional procedures are being performed at the same time.

Dr. Castellano is a very skilled injector, and makes every effort to ensure the highest level of patient comfort during your appointment. Those with more sensitive skin may use a topical anesthetic before treatment as well.

Since BOTOX® is nonsurgical, downtime after your appointment is minimal if any. You can return to your typical daily routine right away, as long as you’re careful not to rub the treatment area directly for several hours. Some patients may see mild bruising after their appointment, but this should dissipate rapidly within a day or two.

Final results are usually visible within a few days, and should last about 3 to 4 months, with some patients showing results as long as 6 months before they need an additional treatment.

Since we all age at different rates, there is really no standard age that’s good for starting BOTOX®. You can start BOTOX® when you begin to notice wrinkles and fine lines that you are unhappy with, regardless of chronological age. I frequently see women from their late twenties and thirties all the way up to much older for BOTOX® treatments. Because there are no negative effects of repeated use, you can feel free to start at any time that seems appropriate for you.