Botox® is popular for a good reason – it quickly, safely, and easily corrects wrinkles that are caused by muscle activity. These lines – such as the “11’s” between your eyebrows – can age you beyond your years. With a skilled injector like Dr. Chang, you can turn back the clock without anyone knowing how you did it.

Dr. Chang is a Platinum Plus Injector with Allergan, the maker of Botox, as well as Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma dermal fillers. In the U.S., 5% of all Allergan physician accounts are Platinum Plus or higher. Often, these accounts have multiple injectors (doctors and nurses). Only 3% of their accounts have attained this status as a single injector like Dr. Chang. Why trust your Botox injections to someone without this status?

Botox cosmetic has following uses.

Some are FDA-approved*. Some are used off label:

•  Smooth vertical frown lines between the brows*
•  Soften “crow’s feet” wrinkles around the eyes*
•  Soften horizontal forehead creases
•  Soften “bunny lines” on the nose and lip lines
•  Soften square jaw and pebbly chin

Is Botox Safe?

Botox was first FDA-approved in 1989 for blepharospasms, involuntary spasms of muscles that control the eyelid. Ophthalmologists who were treating blepharospasms were the first to note cosmetic improvement in wrinkles around the eyes. Botox became FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2002.

Dr. Chang has been a practicing doctor since 1991. Cosmetic Botox has been the safest drug she has used in her entire medical career. In the hands of trained and experienced doctors like Dr. Chang, cosmetic Botox is very safe. Discussion of safety of Botox must also include the source of botulinum toxin. Dr. Chang gets Botox directly from Allergan, the maker of Botox, ensuring safety and quality of the product.

How does Botox work?

Some of the wrinkles we see as we age are caused by repeated muscle activity, such as frowning or squinting. Botox is the neurotoxin made by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It is a highly purified protein. It works at the neuromuscular junction by preventing muscle contractions. Medical uses of Botox include treating spasms around the eyes, neck and limbs; migraine; urinary incontinence; and excessive underarm sweating. Used cosmetically, Botox allows the muscle to relax so that the skin softens over the muscle, alleviating the wrinkle. Whether medical or cosmetic use, Botox has significantly contributed to quality of life of consumers in America and around the world.

Who is a candidate for Botox?

Most adults of all skin types and skin tones are good candidates for Botox if they have lines and wrinkles that are caused by repeated muscle contractions. Botox can be used alone or in combination with fillers, tightening treatments or resurfacing treatments for better results. Dr. Chang will discuss this with you during your consultation.

Botox has not been studied in pregnant or nursing women and we don’t recommend injections in this group. Also, patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome are advised to avoid Botox.

What can I expect from Botox?

After evaluation, Dr. Chang will mark injection sites to ensure accuracy and symmetry. Using the smallest needle available, she will inject minute amounts of Botox directly into the muscles to be treated. It’s usually a very well-tolerated procedure. For additional comfort, topical anesthetic or ice pack can be used.

You will start seeing results within couple of days. Full effect can take 1-2 weeks depending on the muscle mass being injected. So, for thinner muscles like crow’s feet area, you will start seeing results within couple of days. For a larger muscle mass like the jaw area (masseter muscle), the results can take up to 2-4 weeks.

What does recovery from Botox require?

There is no down time after Botox, but you may have slight tenderness, swelling, and redness or bruising at the injection sites. This should resolve within a matter of hours or days.

How long do the results of Botox last?

The effects of Botox injections last about 3 to 6 months. The duration can vary depending on a person’s genetic factors, factors that can affect their metabolism of Botox, and the amount of Botox injected.

Gradually, muscle action returns, and lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear. How often people do Botox depends on how they want to use Botox for their anti-aging strategy. Some people wait until the Botox is totally worn off and their wrinkles are back to baseline before they do another treatment. Others choose to stay ahead of the wrinkles and will do another treatment as soon as they see return of muscle movement. Dr. Chang helps her clients to customize best anti-aging strategy for them based on their priorities, budget and return-on-investment.

How Do I Get Started?

Call Beatitude at 619-280-1609. When you come in, you’ll fill out a quick medical history form. Then, Dr. Chang will meet with you to discuss your concerns, goals, budget, and lifestyle that can affect your treatment recommendations. The consultation generally takes 5-15 minutes. Botox injections require a minimum of 20 units.