BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One 10-minute treatment-a few tiny injections-and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last up to 4 months. Results may vary. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time. In 2005, almost 3.3 million procedures were performed with FDA-approved BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Before and After Photos  Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions for BOTOX® Cosmetic

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a treatment for wrinkles caused by repeated movements. The most commonly treated areas include:

• the lines around the eyes known as crow's feet, caused by squinting or smiling
• the horizontal lines across the forehead caused by raising the eyebrows
• the lines & folding of skin between the eyebrows caused by frowning

Is it safe?
YES! BOTOX® Cosmetic has been available for 20 years, and has been used to treat many diseases. In fact, it is used in children as young as 2 years old to treat cerebral palsy. These children receive over 10 times the amount used for cosmetic purposes-every three months! If a 2-year old child is safe (with significantly more BOTOX® given to them), then you will be safe. This safety has been proven repeatedly over the past 20 years through extensive testing and research. To put this all in perspective, the risks and side effects are much less than Tylenol. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription drug and is approved by the FDA.

Will it give me food poisoning/is it botulism?
No. It is not poisonous to you and it is NOT botulism. To clarify, botulism is the name of an illness, not the name of the active drug. The product is a purified protein which is extracted from naturally-occurring bacteria and then rigorously processed under strict pharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines. It is very similar to how penicillin comes from mold! It is an approved drug that is used in VERY tiny doses.

How do I know it won't be toxic to me?
Typically, for a cosmetic treatment, you may receive fewer than 100 units. To make someone remotely sick, you would have to receive OVER 35 times this does all at one time, which would NEVER happen (plus it would cost you over $42,000!). You are more likely to "poison" yourself with Tylenol (if you took the whole bottle at once!) than to ever remotely hurt yourself with BOTOX® Cosmetic. You are getting therapeutically proven VERY TINY doses.

How does it work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic works by simply relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to create a smooth, refreshed appearance.

How long does the procedure take?
Generally, after the consultation, the procedure only takes up to 15 minutes. Since there is no down time, you can do it on your lunchtime and no one would know you have had it done!

How quickly does it work?
It can take UP TO 2 WEEKS for it to take full effect. Usually, we ask patients to wait for 14 days to pass in order to fully see the results.

How is it done?
It is injected with a very tiny needle, much smaller than those used to take your blood. A delicate insulin-type needle is used to inject the product.

Does it hurt?
Most patients say the injections feel similar to a little pinch, although everyone is different. We usually hear patients say, "Is that all?"

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last? Is it permanent?
No, BOTOX® Cosmetic is not permanent. It lasts about 3 months on average, but everyone is different. If you follow our physicians' directions to have your first 3 treatments promptly every 3 months (without waiting in between), you will find that your next few treatments will start to last longer than 3 months.

Is it going to be worse when it wears off?
No! Your face will never get worse if you stop using BOTOX® Cosmetic or when it wears off. BOTOX® Cosmetic slows the aging process. When you stop getting treatments, the "aging clock" resumes like normal. At the very minimum, you will simply return to where you started. If you use BOTOX® Cosmetic for a number of years and then stop, your muscles learn to relax and therefore, you will end up looking a little better than when you originally started.

How much does it cost?
We charge $12 per unit. The number of units required to achieve the desired effect can vary from patient to patient. Therefore, a face to face consultation with the doctor can give you a more specific cost, tailored to help you get the results you want.

I don't want to look like a mask without expression; will that happen?
No. Dr. Schaffer and Dr. Cone ensure you get the look you want, as natural as you want. Most people simply want to look NATURAL, RELAXED, and REFRESHED, without looking "done." In the experienced hands of our physicians, patients typically say that no one knows that they had anything done. Friends simply say that they look well-rested and great!

Why should I have Dr. Schaffer or Dr. Cone treat me versus another doctor?
Dr. Schaffer trained with Dr. Mark Baily, one of the top BOTOX® injectors in North America. Dr. Baily trained with Dr. Jean Carruthers, the ophthalmologist in Vancouver , BC who pioneered the use of BOTOX® for cosmetic purposes. Dr. Cone has also been trained in the use of Dr. Baily's technique. Both Drs. Schaffer and Cone have additional training in BOTOX® administration obtained through the National Procedures Institute. Because of their extensive training in BOTOX® administration, both physicians are confident of the following:

1.       That you will be very satisfied with your treatment results

2.       That you will pay 15% LESS on your 4th treatment if you follow their directions and get your treatments "back-to-back" every 3 months for the first 3 times.

3.       That you will get LONGER LASTING RESULTS (increasing from 3 months to 4-6 months) by your 6th treatment.

4.       That you will end up SAVING MONEY on future treatments (compared to your initial treatments) because you will need less product as your muscles learn to relax.

What is a unit?
A unit of BOTOX® Cosmetic is simply a very tiny measurement of drug. Your physician will discuss with you the exact number of units you require to achieve the look you want.

What are the side effects?
Side effects are RARE and are NOT PERMANENT. Rarely, there can be some minor bruising (which can easily be covered up by makeup) or a slight short-term headache. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.

I have heard that you can get a drooping eyelid; is this true?
Again, side effects are RARE and NOT PERMANENT, but they can include a drooping eyelid. The incidence of this side effect is less than 1% and will last from only a few days to a few weeks. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.

Where does it go in my body?
BOTOX® Cosmetic stays local to the muscle where it was injected. After the injection, BOTOX® Cosmetic is simply metabolized and broken down into natural byproducts within a few hours.

I am pregnant/am currently breast-feeding. Can I get BOTOX® Cosmetic?
No. It is recommended that you wait until you are finished breast-feeding to have your BOTOX® Cosmetic done. Although there is no clinical evidence to prove any harm to the mother or baby, we prefer to be safe.