Botox has become known lately for skin rejuvenation for men and women, a way to reduce smile lines, frown lines and wrinkles of the face and neck. It's success has spawned similar products such as Dysport. A Botox injection, like a Dysport injection, works by relaxing the muscles near where it is injected. When this happens, the muscles don't tighten and the wrinkle softens. Botox cosmetic injections and similar products may be popular, but because this is a neurotoxin, it is important that you use caution. This applies to similar products such as Myobloc.

Botox injection cost

Botox injections are one of many things used for skin rejuvenation and younger looking skin. (Botox is the brand name for an injectable made from botulinum toxin. Similar drugs include Dysport and Myobloc. Other drugs such as Reloxin have not been approved in the United States.) Because it is less invasive than a surgical procedure, it is sometimes called a liquid face lift. Botox may cost less than a traditional face or brow lift, but it is not cheap. Botox injections cost from $300-$600 per syringe. The results are not permanent, but do last about four to six months. The cost of treatment can therefore add up if you get repeated injections. Dysport carries a similar price tag.

During a Botox consultation, you and your cosmetic surgeon would decide what areas will be treated, for example, between the furrowed brows, or next to the mouth. Be aware that in the U.S., Botox Cosmetic is only approved for those brow lines. Doctors who use it elsewhere are using it off-label. Botox is injected into the muscle in that area. When the muscle relaxes, the lines and wrinkles are less noticeable. The overall result is a younger appearance, which is why Botox is considered an anti-aging treatment.

Women and men are using Botox for a number of cosmetic and other conditions:

• Forehead wrinkles - Botox can be used to treat deep wrinkles in the forehead, as well as brow lines or glabellar lines between the eyebrows. Glabellar lines are the vertical lines that form between the eyes when you furrow your brow or squint. They are also called worry lines or the 11's. Horizontal lines form in the forehead when you raise your eyebrows. Botox can be used on both types of lines. A brow lift / forehead lift can be used for horizontal forehead lines as well.
• Neck wrinkling - Botox can be used for wrinkles in an aging neck. It will reduce the appearance of neck bands. Botox will not change neck or chin size. For that you would need chin surgery.
• Eye lines - Botox can be used for crow's feet, those lines and wrinkles at the corner of the eyes.
• Mouth and upper lip - It can be used for wrinkles above the upper lip, the kind that form when you pucker your lips. Botox can also be used for the deep lines from the nose to the mouth. These lines are also called marionette lines or laugh lines. The official name is nasolabial folds.

In addition to its anti-aging uses, Botox can also reduce sweat in sweaty palms and can reduce underarm sweat (called hyperhidrosis).

Information on Botox Injections

This may not be considered major surgery but it is a big undertaking. So really think about whether this is the correct anti-aging treatment for you to do. Don't go by cost alone. Make sure you are using a board certified cosmetic surgeon, who has a lot of training and experience with Botox. Before the procedure, make sure you discuss things with your cosmetic surgeon. Ask to see before and after photos of people with facial features like your own.

Prior to the Botox injection, the skin will be numbed. You may feel a prick when the needle enters the skin. You should avoid lying down for several hours after a Botox treatment.

After a Botox treatment, men and women may see an improvement in the really bad lines within days. But it can take up to two weeks for the cosmetic treatments to take complete effect. Improvement may continue for as long as a month.

If you have very deep wrinkles or hollow areas, anti-aging treatments such as dermal fillers or fat augmentation may be more appropriate. For fine lines, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or dermabrasion or microdermabrasion may be an option. For excess fat, instead of Botox, you should talk to your cosmetic surgeon about liposuction. If the skin of the face or neck is sagging, a face lift / neck lift may be more appropriate. If there is excess eyelid skin, an eye lift may be something to consider.

Botox injections may leave results for a year, although three to four months is average. At higher doses or more frequent doses, you may develop problems. You can also have reactions and issues even at lower doses. Make sure you use a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. The bacterium from which Botox is derived can be deadly in its normal form, so be cautious. Possible bad effects include droopy eyelids, headache, aches, swelling, redness, and infection.