What is Botox?

Botox is an injectable cosmetic therapy that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial lines, wrinkles and creases. Doctors also use Botox for some medical conditions, including nerve spasms and chronic migraines.

Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin, which works by blocking chemical signals from nerves. Your doctor precisely delivers a small amount of diluted solution to targeted muscles — those you use often for repetitive activity, such as squinting, raising eyebrows or frowning. The Botox causes these muscles to relax. As they relax, wrinkles start to smooth out — an effect that typically lasts for a few months.

Botox injections are a quick, relatively painless way to give your face a younger, more rested appearance. Repeated use may also prevent lines from getting worse over time.

We have a team of experts from multiple departments highly skilled in all cosmetic procedures, including Botox injections. You can receive injections from experts in Dermatology; Facial Plastic Surgery (Ear, Nose and Throat); Oculofacial Plastic Surgery (eyelid care); or Plastic Surgery. Our Med Spa team that includes board certified and nationally ranked plastic surgeons, doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and aestheticians.

Some providers also offer Dysport, another injectable that works like Botox by blocking the nerve signals to the muscles.

If you’re considering Botox or another injectable, your doctor will evaluate your condition and goals during an initial consultation. We can let you know if Botox or other nonsurgical procedures are best suited for your goals.

Schedule your appointment in MyChart or call a provider listed below.

How much is Botox at Ohio State?

Botox injection pricing: starting at $14/unit. The number of units depends on the nature and area being treated.

Pricing is subject to change. Contact your doctor’s office to confirm current rates.

Why Botox therapy is done

As the years go by, your facial skin begins to “remember” repeated expressions, such as a smile, squint or frown. This repetitive muscle activity can leave permanent furrows, laugh lines or frown lines on your face. You may develop lines across your forehead, crow’s feet around your eyes and vertical lines between your eyes. Botox can also reduce marionette lines — the folds that extend from your nose to the corners of your mouth — and ring-like lines on your neck.

If you’re not happy with these changes in your face and neck, Botox could be an option. Doctors inject small amounts of Botox formula with minimal discomfort to temporarily diminish the look of lines on your face. Botox requires periodic touch-ups within three or more months after initial injections. The frequency of repeat treatments depends on the nature and area of lines treated, the amount of Botox injected and other variables.

You should approach any cosmetic procedure with reasonable expectations. Botox and other fillers may help “turn back the clock” on natural aging, but they can’t stop time.

Skin texture or sun damage can’t be fixed by Botox or fillers.

What are the treatment areas Botox can address?

Botox ® is not a treatment for sagging skin and wrinkles caused by aging, gravity and loss of skin elasticity, but it can address:

• Lines around and between the eyes and on the forehead, such as frown lines or crow’s feet
• Upper lip, or “lip flip”
• Lines and folds around the neck, or “tech neck”
• Botox brow lift: purified botulinum toxin injected into the eyelid muscles allows the eyebrow to subtly lift

Non-aesthetic uses for Botox

Certain medical conditions can be treated with Botox injections:

• Facial spasms
• Migraine headaches

What to expect

Your aesthetic provider will schedule your Botox® injection treatment at one of Ohio State’s easily accessible outpatient clinics in Columbus or surrounding areas. Your face and any other areas to be treated will be cleansed and prepared before treatment.

We will use fine microneedles to inject the formula into predetermined areas. You may feel a mild stinging or pinching sensation. Your doctor can apply a topical numbing cream if you’re having more sensitive areas of skin treated.

We will make injections into each of the areas you’ve targeted for treatment. In most instances, Botox injections can be completed within 15 minutes or less. There is no downtime, so you can plan to return to normal routines after your treatment. Your doctor will offer specific post-treatment guidelines, such as:

• Avoid strenuous physical activity for the next day
• Avoid any abrasive facial treatments or rubbing treated areas
• Stay in an upright position for the first three to four hours after your treatment

You may have some mild swelling or bruising in the areas treated. This should begin to go away within two or three days.

How much Botox do you get?

Botox is measured in units. How much you receive is based on consultation with your Med Spa team and how much movement you want to preserve. For example, for crow’s feet, between 5 units and 12.5 units (per side of the face) may be used, depending on your smile pattern.

Results of Botox

After a day, you’ll start to see fewer lines and wrinkles. Your skin will continue to improve over the next week. Results vary, but you’ll most likely require another treatment after three to six months to keep facial lines and wrinkles at bay.