BOTOX FAQ

Q-What is Botox?

Botox a non-surgical procedure that rejuvenates facial appearance, and can be used to lessen the appearance of forehead furrows, frown lines, crow’s feet, and lines and wrinkles of the lower face and neck. Botox is a simple procedure that is especially effective in patients experiencing early signs of aging. The face is the most expressive part of our body, conveying joy in laughter or smiling, and frustration or worry through frowning and forehead furrows. Eventually these emotions become permanently etched into our faces, even at rest, leaving us looking older than we feel. Botox erases these lines, leaving the patient with noticeably smoother skin without the need for surgery.

Q-How experienced is Dr. Clevens in performing Botox treatments?

Dr. Clevens has been named one of the 100 Most Experienced Botox physicians in the United States. In Brevard County, Dr. Clevens uses more Botox than everyone else in the county combined. Dr. Clevens has been honored with esteemed appointment to Allergan’s Botox National Education Faculty for Botox injections. Allergan's National Education Faculty (NEF) is a prestigious society of Medical Doctors who have been certified by Allergan not only in administering Botox treatments, but specifically certified by Allergan to train other physicians in the administration of Botox Cosmetic. Dr. Clevens's membership in the NEF assures you the highest level of skill and expertise in the administration of Botox injections

Q-Why is Botox so popular?

Botox has gained great popularity, and for good reason. Starting Botox treatments before or at the first signs of wrinkles is great preventive maintenance, helping patients stop the signs of aging and delaying the need for more invasive procedures. For many men and women, Botox is as routine as getting a haircut or using sunscreen. You can receive injections indefinitely and its effectiveness will not lessen.

Incidentally, Botox is also used to treat migraines and excessive sweating.

Q-How does Botox work?

Botox is a highly refined purified protein that has been proven safe in millions of injections over the past decade and a half. When injected through the skin into the muscles responsible for facial wrinkling, it softens the muscle. Since the muscle is temporarily weakened, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is greatly smoothed.

Q-Who is the best candidate for Botox injections?

The best candidates for treatment with Botox injections include physically healthy people who are realistic in their expectations and desire to improve the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Botox offers an exceptional opportunity to smooth lines and wrinkles affecting the brow, forehead and crow’s feet in a brief, safe procedure that takes just a few minutes and lasts for several months. Keep in mind, Botox is not a cure-all, and may not be the solution to deep lines and creases. Other procedures such as Restlyane, Radiesse and skin resurfacing may address more advanced signs of aging, which Dr. Clevens will be happy to discuss with you during your initial consultation.

Q-Which wrinkles can Botox treat?

There are two different types of wrinkles on the face: static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles are present even with complete stillness and lack of expression on the face. Dynamic wrinkles are those that appear or become significantly more apparent with facial expression. Botox is ideal for treatment of dynamic wrinkles of the face and is used to relax those facial muscles whose excessive action causes wrinkling of the skin. For example, the deep lines between the eyebrows (frown lines) are the most popular treatment sites.

Q-Who performs Botox and where is the procedure performed?

Botox injections are performed in Dr. Clevens’ office. Dr. Clevens himself performs all injections in his practice. Dr. Clevens believes that the placement of Botox is a procedure that requires skill and experience to achieve fabulous results and so Dr. Clevens has decided not to relegate this important procedure to ancillary non-medical personnel. Be wary of Botox parties or non-physician injectors, which have gained media attention lately. Even though Botox injections are non-invasive and have virtually no recovery time, they should only be performed in a proper medical facility by skilled medical professionals.

Q-Is anesthesia used during the Botox injection?

Dr. Clevens uses a very fine needle to carefully place Botox. Due to the non-invasive nature of the Botox injection, anesthesia is typically not required. If pain is a concern of yours, use of a cold pack or anesthetic cream can help to numb the area.

Q-How is the actual Botox injection performed?

Dr. Clevens will examine your ability to move facial muscles in order to determine where the Botox injections should be administered. Using a small syringe containing the Botox product, Dr. Clevens will then administer several tiny injections directly into the muscles.

Q-How long does the actual Botox injection take to perform?

Part of the beauty of Botox in the simplicity of the procedure in comparison with it’s effectiveness - the injections can take just ten minutes to complete in the skilled hands of Dr. Clevens.

Q-Is the Botox injection painful?

The Botox injection is just like any other injection. Patients may experience a sensation similar to a pin prick or experience a slight burning sensation when the product is injected, but this is typically very brief. The needle used is very small and slender

Q-What is the recovery like after Botox? Will I need to take time off from work after the Botox injection?

Recovery may be an inappropriate word for the time after receiving Botox, because patients are immediately able to return to their usual activities. Patients can have injections performed on their lunch hour and return to work afterwards. Some minor pain, inflammation, swelling, redness or bruising may occur at the injection site, and is temporary. Botox typically takes three to five days for treatment to show its effect.

Q-What are the risks or complications associated with Botox?

Botox is generally a safe procedure, though patients should be informed that every medical procedure carries certain risks and the potential for complications. Potential side effects or complications of the Botox injection may include b ruising, numbness, temporary eyelid droop and failure to achieve a fully satisfactory result.

Q-Does insurance cover the Botox procedure?

If your Botox injections are performed solely for to achieve cosmetic benefit, insurance will not provide coverage. Some amount of coverage may be available when used for medical purposes like in the treatment of migraines or facial and eyelid spasms or tics. Dr. Clevens has insurance specialists on staff who can help guide you through this process.

Q-How long do the results of Botox last?

After your Botox injections, you can expect your results to last about three months. A gradual fade in it’s effectiveness will be experienced, after which repeat treatments will be necessary to maintain the results. Botox treatments can be repeated indefinitely.

TRUST YOUR FACE TO THE SPECIALIST... Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS is board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He completed his undergraduate work at Yale University and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Clevens completed his residency and post-graduate Advanced Fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

A graduate of Yale, Harvard and Michigan, Dr. Clevens is Brevard's only fellowship-trained and board-certified facial plastic surgery specialist. Dr. Clevens specializes in nasal, facial and eyelid plastic surgery rather than plastic surgery in general to provide his patients the best in specialized care. Your specific concerns are best addressed in detail during your personal consultation with Dr. Clevens who was judged "Best of Brevard" by the readers of Florida Today in 2001-2007.

Please contact our offices in Melbourne and Merritt Island, Florida at 321.951.3223 or 888.438.3223 today to arrange your consultation.

You may contact us via email at info@drclevens.com or visit us on the web at www.drclevens.com.