Everything You Need to Know About Botox

Botox® typically takes two to three days to start working and will continue to improve over the first week. Full results are visible within ten to fourteen days.

The benefits of Botox typically last three to four months, after which the effect begins to wear off and muscles regain movement. You will need a repeat treatment to continue the anti-wrinkle benefits. However, the duration can vary from patient to patient depending on your metabolism (how quickly your body eliminates botox), level of activity (gym goer vs sedentary patient), the area treated, amount of botox injected, and the frequency of past treatments.

Botox typically takes less than 20 minutes to perform. As a result, many of our patients schedule treatment on their lunch break or a free afternoon.

Typically, the effects of Botox last three to four months. Therefore, we recommend treatment every three to four months.

Yes, Botox is the most widely used cosmetic procedure in the world and is considered a low-risk treatment with an excellent safety record. In addition, many patients who use Botox regularly for years find their skin will appear brighter and smoother with fewer wrinkles.

The needles used for Botox injections are tiny. Therefore, discomfort is usually minimal and brief. However, some patients report a mild pinching and stinging sensation.

One of the benefits of Botox treatments is that no downtime is required. Treatments are quick and will allow you to resume most daily activities immediately.

The most common side effects are pain, swelling, redness, and bruising at the treatment site. Most side effects are mild and resolve in a day or two. Side effects from Botox injections vary depending on the area treated.

Less common side effects include mild flu-like symptoms

(fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches), neck pain, stomach upset, temporary drooping eyelids (ptosis), eye irritation or redness.

Yes, it is common for many of our patients will combine Botox and dermal fillers. This combination is beneficial because they treat different types of wrinkles. For example, Botox works well on dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements like squinting and frowning. On the other hand, dermal fillers work well to smooth out static wrinkles, which are visible even when the face is at rest.

No, the amounts of Botox used for wrinkle treatments can not cause botulism.

Botox is considered safe and effective but isn't appropriate for everyone. Botox® should be avoided in pregnant or breastfeeding patients, patients with certain neurological disorders, drooping eyelids (ptosis) or weak facial muscles.

Patients 18 years and older can receive Botox treatments, and there is no right or wrong time to start. Many of our patients begin using Botox in their twenties and early thirties as a preventive strategy to keep their skin looking youthful.

Unfortunately, private insurance policies don't typically cover Botox used for cosmetic treatments.

All five contain the same active ingredient, "botulinum toxin type A" and work the same way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, there are a few key differences.

Botox, also known as onabotulinumtoxinA, was the first on the market, was approved for cosmetic use in Canada in 2001 and has the most extensive performance history.

Dysport, also known as abobotulinumtoxinA, was second to market and approved for use in Canada in 2009 and has been a popular alternative to Botox. A specific protein used in Dysport has a lower molecular weight than that used in Botox, allowing Dysport to diffuse more readily through tissues. Thus, Dysport tends to spread better than Botox, making it great for larger areas like the forehead. It also sets in slightly faster than its competitors and may last longer.

Xeomin, also known as incobotulinumtoxinA, was approved by Health Canada in 2012. Some consider Xeomin "natural" because it doesn't contain the same kinds of stabilizing proteins as its competitors. The lack of additional proteins means patients may be less likely to develop antibodies and treatment resistance to Xeomin. Some patients report seeing decreased sensitivity to the effects of Botox and Dysport after years of use and see better results with Xeomin.

Xeomin has a slightly more extended onset period than the rest, with maximum effects occurring around one month. Results last from one to three months, making it the shortest-acting option. The short-acting results can benefit first-time patients, who may hesitate to use a neuromodulator that lasts three or more months. The last significant difference between Xeomin and its competitors is that it remains stable at room temperature and doesn't require refrigeration.

Nuceiva (Jeuveau in the USA), also known as PrabotulinumtoxinA, was approved for use in Canada in 2019, and it is relatively new to the market. Some studies suggest it starts working faster than other neuromodulators, and it appeared to last longer for some patients (five months rather than the standard three).

Daxxify, also known as daxibotulinumtoxinA, is the most recent addition to the neuromodulator line-up and is only available in the USA. It has been making headlines as the longest-lasting option on the market.

Botox is classified as a neuromodulator, a substance that blocks specific chemical messengers from nerves that cause muscles to contract. It is injected directly into the muscle targeting the underlying muscle activity, which causes frown lines and other facial wrinkles. Botox works well for "dynamic wrinkles", which are lines you see when you move your facial muscles (laughing, crying, smiling). You do not see them at rest; they form due to muscle movement.

Dermal fillers are gels made of hyaluronic acid, a substance which binds to water and restores volume. The increase in volume plumps the face, helps fill out lines, and reduces the appearance of sagging in the skin.

Fillers are best suited for addressing volume loss and folds on the face. They work well for "static wrinkles", which are lines present even at rest. We often use fillers to restore structure and volume to the cheeks, mid-face, temples, or lips. We also use them to define specific features, such as the nose, jawline, or chin, or to soften shadows under the eyes.

Botox costs in Winnipeg vary from $8 to $12 per unit based on the injector's skill. However, the majority of providers in Winnipeg charge $10 per unit of Botox.

The following Botox dosage guidelines are an estimate based on the units required for an average female. Remember, most male patients typically need a higher dosage for the same results, as their muscles are generally larger.

Forehead Lines 10-30 units

Frown Lines (between the eyebrows) 15-30 units

Top of the nose (bunny lines) 4-10 units

Around the eyes (crows feet) 5-15 units per side

Eyebrows (aka browlift) 2-5 units per side

Lip Flip 4-8 units

Gummy Smile 2-4 units

Neck (platysmal bands) 6-12 per band units

Necklines (horizontal lines in the neck) 20-50 units

Masseters (for facial slimming, clenching, and grinding of teeth) 9-50 units per side

Lipstick lines (fine lines around the mouth) 4-8 units

Chin Dimpling 6-8 units

Turned down corners of the mouth (aka DAO muscles) 2-4 units per side

We encourage you to book a free consultation today! We will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.