BOTOX® Cosmetic in Dunwoody,
Sandy Springs & North Atlanta
BOTOX® treats the lines your face makes when it moves — frown lines, forehead lines, crow's feet. It does nothing for skin quality or lost volume, which is why knowing what is actually causing a line matters before treating it.
Lines That Come From Movement
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified form of botulinum toxin. It temporarily relaxes the muscle producing a line, and the skin over that muscle smooths out as a result.
- Frown lines — the vertical glabellar lines between the eyebrows, from frowning or concentrating.
- Forehead lines — horizontal, from repeatedly raising the brows.
- Crow’s feet — radiating from the outer corners of the eyes.
- Bunny lines — on the sides of the nose when the face scrunches.
- The upper lip — a lip flip, to change how much of it shows.
It does not treat everything. BOTOX® relaxes muscle. Lines from lost volume are treated with dermal filler, surface texture and pigmentation with a peel, and descended tissue with surgery. Working out which of those you actually have is the point of the consultation.
What the Appointment Involves
Short, and with essentially no recovery — which is what makes the aftercare instructions easy to ignore and worth reading anyway.
| Stage | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Before you come | Avoid blood-thinning medications, which reduces the chance of bruising. |
| How long it takes | About 10 to 15 minutes — the practice calls it a lunchtime procedure. |
| How it feels | Ultra-fine needles deliver small amounts into the targeted muscles. Most patients describe a slight pinch. |
| Straight afterwards | Return to normal activity immediately. Do not rub the treated area. |
| First 24 hours | Avoid strenuous activity and excessive heat. |
| Marks | There are no scars. Slight redness or swelling at the injection site usually settles within a few hours. |
| When it shows | Some change in the first few days; the full result develops by about two weeks as the muscles relax. |
| How long it lasts | Generally three to four months. Metabolism, the area treated, and the dose all affect it. |
| Keeping it | Repeat treatments every three to four months, on a schedule set around your own results. |
What You Should Know First
BOTOX® is FDA-approved to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe facial lines in adults, and has a well-established safety profile when a trained professional administers it. Three things are still worth saying plainly.
Speak to your healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain neurological conditions, or have an allergy to any of the ingredients.
Overuse has a cost. Long-term use is generally considered safe, but overuse can lead to muscle weakness, or to resistance to the treatment over time. More is not better.
On preventative BOTOX®
Treating at a younger age to stop lines forming is widely marketed. We will not oversell it: its necessity and effectiveness are subjects of ongoing debate among experts, and that is the honest state of the evidence rather than a reason for or against.
Side effects
Some patients have minor redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites, which typically resolves quickly. Serious side effects are rare when the treatment is administered by a qualified professional.
Cost
The cost depends on how many units you need and how many areas are treated, so it is quoted at consultation rather than listed. Pricing and financing options for surgical procedures are set out in full.
Often Considered Alongside
Dermal Fillers
Volume rather than movement. The two are frequently combined, and they solve different problems.
Read more →Chemical Peels
Surface texture and pigmentation — what neither injectable addresses.
Read more →Brow Lift
Frown lines are reduced by a brow lift but not eliminated. BOTOX® treats them directly, which is why the two come up together.
Read more →Facelift & Neck Lift
Where the concern is descended tissue rather than muscle movement or volume.
Read more →BOTOX® FAQs
What is BOTOX® and how does it work?
It is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles, reducing the appearance of the wrinkles those muscles create.
Which areas can be treated?
Forehead lines, frown lines between the eyebrows, and crow's feet around the eyes. It is also used for bunny lines on the sides of the nose, and for a lip flip to change how much of the upper lip shows.
How long does a session take?
About 10 to 15 minutes, which makes it a genuine lunchtime appointment.
When will I see results, and how long do they last?
You may notice some change within the first few days, with the full result developing by about two weeks as the muscles relax. The effect generally lasts three to four months, varying by individual.
Is there any downtime?
Little to none. Most patients resume their regular activities immediately, avoiding strenuous activity and excessive heat for the first 24 hours.
Will my expressions still look natural?
That is the goal, and it is a question of technique and dose rather than of the product. Dr. Stephenson's work is planned around keeping your expressions intact.
Are there side effects?
Some patients have minor redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites, which typically resolves quickly. Serious side effects are rare when the treatment is administered by a qualified professional.
Who should avoid BOTOX®?
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has certain neurological conditions, or has an allergy to its ingredients should speak with their healthcare provider before considering treatment.
Are there long-term effects?
Long-term use is generally considered safe when administered by qualified professionals. Overuse, however, can lead to muscle weakness or to resistance to the treatment over time.
What is preventative BOTOX®?
Treating at a younger age with the aim of preventing lines from forming. Its necessity and effectiveness are subjects of ongoing debate among experts, and we would rather say so than sell it as settled.
How does BOTOX® compare with Daxxify®?
Daxxify® is a newer neuromodulator whose effects can last up to six months, against BOTOX®'s typical three to four. The mechanisms are similar; the duration and formulation differ.
What is the difference between BOTOX® and dermal fillers?
BOTOX® relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles caused by expression. Fillers add volume back to areas that have thinned with age, such as the cheeks and lips. Many faces show both problems.
Can it be combined with other treatments?
Yes. BOTOX® is often combined with dermal fillers, chemical peels, or laser treatment as part of a wider plan.
How many units will I need?
It varies with the area treated and with your own muscle activity. The dose is determined at consultation.
Can men have BOTOX®?
Yes. It is equally suitable for men and women.
How much does it cost?
The cost varies with the number of units required and the areas treated, so it is quoted at your consultation rather than listed.
Further Reading
Discuss Your Options
An hour with Dr. Stephenson, an examination, and a written quote for the plan you agree together.