C O N S U M E R S G U I D E TO E F F E C T I V E B OTOX U S E

Getting the Most Out of Your Treatments

Presented by Dr. Scott J. Zevon, Central Park Plastic Surgery
You thought you knew all you needed to about BOTOXCosmetic until you Googled it. Now you might be more confused than excited about how the treatments can reduce the signs of aging. Its natural for new (and not-so-new) BOTOX patients to have a lot of questions. Our step-by-step BOTOX guide will help you sort out the facts, plan for safe treatment, and get optimal results.

1. Choose Your Provider

This is the most important step in planning your BOTOX treatment. BOTOXCosmetic is a prescription drug that any M.D. can obtain. In many states, nurses can also give BOTOX injections. For safety and the best results, you should always choose an injector who has all of the following qualifications:

Advanced medical training, preferably board certification in plastic surgery or dermatology In-depth knowledge of facial anatomy A practice focus on aesthetic procedures Proven experience giving BOTOX injections Open, honest communication skills Clear concern for your safety and happiness

2. Make Sure BOTOX is the Right Treatment for You

While practically a household name, BOTOXCosmetic is a product with specific effects. BOTOX yields excellent results for certain wrinkles, but its not an all-purpose facial rejuvenation method. Youll be happier with your results if you know its advantages and limitations before you invest in BOTOX:

BOTOXCosmetic is FDA-approved for treating the glabellar area (frown lines). It also works well on forehead creases, crows feet, neck bands, or even to treat excessive sweating. BOTOX is best for treating dynamic wrinkles (frown lines, crows feet, etc.) created by repetitive muscle movement. It works by immobilizing the responsible muscles. Other treatments, including injectable fillers or even facelift surgery, are usually more effective for sagging skin or static wrinkles resulting from loss of skin elasticity. Results last 3-6 months in most patients. After that, you will need to repeat treatment. If you are unhappy with your results, you will have to wait approximately this long for its effects to fade. BOTOX can be used preventatively, but shouldnt replace healthy lifestyle habits that can also postpone aesthetic effects of aging.

3. Getting the Best Value

While BOTOX treatment is affordable for most patients, it still requires some financial investment. Be wary of BOTOX bargainsunfortunately, many deals are in fact too good to be true. Some insider info about BOTOX dosage will help you make sure you get what you pay for.

212.496.6600

SCOTT J. ZEVON, MD, FACS 75 Central Park West New York, NY 10023
CENTRAL PARK PLASTIC SURGERY

C O N S U M E R S G U I D E TO E F F E C T I V E B OTOX U S E
Know Your Units
BOTOXCosmetic is measured in terms of standard units. The number of units required for each injection site varies depending on your gender, the muscles being treated, and your aesthetic goals. Each injection only affects a very specific muscle. Prior to injection, your physician reconstitutes BOTOX with saline to create a solution with a certain ratio of BOTOX units per mL saline (the approved ratio is 4 units per 0.1 mL). Ultimately, the physician has control over this ratio. This matters because the number of units, not the amount of fluid, injected into each muscle determines your results. Some providers overdilute the product as a way to present a BOTOX bargain, while actually giving you fewer units than needed for optimal results.

The Smart Approach to BOTOX on a Budget

Consider paying for BOTOX by the unit, rather than by the area, to ensure that you only pay for the effective BOTOX you receive. Dont skimp on the recommended units or try to ration units across several areas of your face. BOTOX only yields the desired results when it is injected in the appropriate area in the correct dosage. Extra injections needed to get your desired results will cost you more in the long run. Concentrate on the wrinkles that concern you most. Real improvement in one area will do more to enhance your appearance than weak results in three.

The chart below will help you visualize the number of units you might need to achieve the results you want. To get a ballpark idea of how much this might cost, multiply the suggested number of units for your treatment area(s) by your providers per-unit fee (I charge $18 per unit, for example). This will give you a fairly realistic price estimate.

How Much Botox Will I Need?

Typical Range of Units Per Treatment Area* Forehead Lines 10-30 Units

Crows Feet 15-30 Units

Neck Bands 20-30 Units

Glabellar Area 20-30 Units

Hyperhidrosis 50 Units 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Units of Botox
*These are suggested ranges for most patients for a speci c treatment area. The actual number of units needed for treatment varies per individual and can be determined by an experienced Botox provider.

212.496.6600

SCOTT J. ZEVON, MD, FACS 75 Central Park West New York, NY 10023
CENTRAL PARK PLASTIC SURGERY

C O N S U M E R S G U I D E TO E F F E C T I V E B OTOX U S E
Seven Key Questions to Ask a Potential Provider
This list of questions will help you make sure you are choosing a qualified provider who will inject genuine BOTOX. Only book your treatment with a provider who answers all of your questions to your satisfaction: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Are you board certified in a medical specialty? Which one(s) (e.g., plastic surgery, dermatology)? What procedures do you most frequently perform? What training did you receive to perform BOTOX injections? How often do you perform BOTOX injections? Can I see before & after photos of your patients? How will I be charged for BOTOX: per unit, per area, or other? Is BOTOX the best option to get the results I want?

My Notes
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212.496.6600

SCOTT J. ZEVON, MD, FACS 75 Central Park West New York, NY 10023
CENTRAL PARK PLASTIC SURGERY