How to Make the Most of Your Botox Injections: Expert Tips and Tricks

Patient receiving a Botox injection for glabellar lines, also known as "11 lines," to smooth forehead wrinkles.

Find a qualified injector

Ensure you are being treated by a licensed medical professional in a medical setting!   In the state of North Carolina, doctors, dentists, physician assistants, and nurses can inject botox (note: nurses do this under the license of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner).  Remember that some surgeons are specialized in facial anatomy (think plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons etc) which may lead to a more complete treatment including surgical and no surgical interventions.  

Know what you are having injected

Earlier this year, there was an outbreak of hospitalizations related to counterfeit botox.  Not all "tox" is created the same.   The FDA regulates our medications in the US to ensure quality and safety standards.  The packaging will say "OnabotuliumtoxinA" with Allegan Aesthethics (AbbVie) written on it.  There are other approved toxins on the market like dysport, zeomin, jeuveau and daxxify.   Just like with botox, your injector can show you the vial so you know what you are getting.   

How many units will you be getting

With several different options, different injectors have preferences for one product over another.  Each medication may have a different dilution (volume of saline added).  They also have different conversions.  For example it may take 3 dysport units to get the effect of 1 botox unit.  So you should pay per unit, not per volume injected or treatment area.

So when you are ready for your "tox" come see Dr Stein, a board certified plastic surgeon, who will take the time to explain your options and get your best result!