What is BOTOX?
BOTOX is a purified protein that is injected into facial muscles in order to relax them and to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines.  It is a temporary treatment that can completely or partially relax muscles depending on the size of the muscle and the amount of Botox injected.

When will I see results from my BOTOX treatment?
Individual results vary but typically, within 4-5 days you may see a marked improvement in the moderate-to-severe wrinkles. Lines continue to improve for up to 30 days, and results generally last 3-6 months.

Is treatment with BOTOX painful?
Most patients experience minimal and brief discomfort with Botox injections and no anesthesia is typically used. However, for your comfort, Dr. de la Torre can numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Most patients are in and out of the office without downtime following BOTOX treatment.

Will I still be able to make facial expressions?
Although the results are visible, BOTOX will not radically change your facial appearance. The muscle activity that causes wrinkles is temporarily reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases. The results are very natural. Botox makes you look younger, fresher, appear more relaxed, and more rested. You will look better and typically people will notice, but no one will know what you did.

Is Botox safe?
The amount of Botox needed to treat facial lines and wrinkles is very safe and millions of Botox treatments have been performed worldwide over the past thirty years. Botox is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are nursing due to the lack of studies performed on pregnant or nursing mothers receiving Botox. Allergies and medical conditions should be discussed with Dr. de la Torre.

Who performs the Botox treatments?
Dr. de la Torre performs all the injections at First Hill Aesthetics.

What are the possible side effects of Botox?
Under the care of a trained medical professional, Botox treatments are extremely safe. Botox is however not without a very small chance of potential risks and complications that depend on the location of the treatment. Dr. de la Torre will discuss the specific risks of your Botox treatment with you before your treatment. Unlike many clinics that do not have an on-site physician, all treatments are performed by Dr. de la Torre.

Side effects associated with the injection include localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising.

How much do Botox injections cost?
The cost of Botox depends on the dose (measured in units) used. Typically the larger and stronger the muscles being treated or the more facial regions treated, the higher the number of units required to produce adequate relaxation. The base treatment cost for First Hill Aesthetic patients is $13/unit, so that a 20 unit Botox treatment costs $260. If you buy 100 units, the cost is $10/unit and you have up to 6 months to use those units. We strive to offer a very competitive price on Botox to our patients. Please refer to our promotions section of our web site for added savings.