Services - Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t BOTOX^® Cosmetic botulinum toxin?

Yes, but it is administered in safe, miniscule amounts. BOTOX^® Cosmetic has been used medically for the past 25 years for treatment of medical conditions that require the relaxation of muscles and it was found to have a secondary effect of erasing wrinkles. It is now FDA approved for cosmetic use.

How often will you need to have an injection?

Most people will want to repeat the procedure every 3 to 5 months when muscle function returns.

Does it hurt?

The administration of BOTOX^® Cosmetic is simple, takes only about 10 minutes and is minimally invasive. At MOS, we use a numbing cream before injecting to minimize any discomfort.

Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do before or after the injection?

To minimize the risk of bruising, it is best not to take aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oils or large doses of Vitamin E (greater than 100 IU/day) for two weeks before the treatment. However, this is a precaution only. Some clients prefer not to stop supplements prior to injections. After your injection, it is best not to lay down on your face for the next four hours. You may resume all other normal activities immediately after your injection.

Will my wrinkles go away completely?

The appearance of wrinkles will be significantly lessened within a week. As new skin cells regenerate and old wrinkled cells are sloughed, the wrinkle will eventually disappear as long as the BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment is repeated.

I am 24 years old, and seeing the telltale signs of premature aging. Am I too young for Botox?

The loss of skin elasticity related to chronic UV light damage and age are two prominent factors that cause wrinkling. The latter of the two is of minimal issue in your twenties, but chronic sun exposure and dynamic facial expressions increase the likelihood of wrinkling at any age.

We encourage our clients to come in for a free consultation and a thorough assessment as all our clients need individual attention. For your age, a good skin care regimen and a procedure known as Skin Tightening may be helpful as a first line of defense. Skin Tightening lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is non-invasive and encourages improvement of skin elasticity.

However, there are clients who have had wrinkling, of their forehead since their teens and may have noticeable wrinkles forming in their mid to late twenties. Botox prevents the wrinkle from becoming “etched” into the skin if administered on a regular basis.

I have Crow’s feet around my eyes. What can you suggest?

“Crow’s feet” are dynamic wrinkles caused by a muscle contraction, specifically squinting, that extend from the outside corner of the eyes. These wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process and nearly everyone over the age of 25 will show signs of these “smile lines”. Over time, they become “etched” in and are visible at rest.

As a preventive measure, we can inject small amounts of Botox in the fine lines to decrease and defer signs of aging. A filler, hyaluronic acid, may also be used although BOTOX^® and/or a laser procedure, also referred to as a Fotofacial, are usually our first line recommendations to diminish age lines. Other services such as chemical peels, microdermabrasions, and a good skin care product are all used in conjunction with BOTOX, fillers, and our Fotofacial to enhance your overall appearance.

How is JUVÉDERM™ injectable gel different from BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

Juvéderm™ injectable gel is a “next-generation” hyaluronic acid dermal filler that provides volume and is used to treat wrinkles and folds resulting from a loss of volume beneath the surface of the skin such as perioral lines and nasolabial folds (lines around your mouth and nose). Juvéderm™ restores your skin's volume for a smooth, natural look and feel. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is not a filler. BOTOX^® Cosmetic relaxes muscle activity and is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by the dominant frown muscles between the eyebrows (the glabellar area). This allows the two vertical lines between the brows, often referred to as the “11,” to temporarily diminish for a smoother appearance. For important safety information about BOTOX^® Cosmetic, see below.

What will treatment with a dermal filler gel accomplish?

Dermal fillers will help to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Most patients need one treatment to achieve optimal wrinkle smoothing. And one treatment could smooth your lines and wrinkles for up to 1 year. Ask your doctor what you should expect from your initial treatment.

How long do results last?

JUVÉDERM™ is the ONLY hyaluronic acid (HA) filler FDA approved to last up to 1 year.

What is Skin Rejuvenation?

Skin Rejuvenation is a light therapy used to treat sun damage, age spots, freckles & Telangiectasias (red spidery veins.) It evens out your skin tone and also shrinks pore size. Vascular lesions such as spider veins and redness from rosacea are lightened and gradually fade. It can be use d on the face, chest, hands, back and legs.

What is Skin Tightening?

A combined Bi-Polar Radio Frequency and Light energy that heats the dermal tissue and stimulates the collagen production. Fine wrinkles are reduced and noticeable lifting and the texture of your skin becomes smoother and toned. Total number of treatments depends on your skin condition.

I am a 51 year old male interested in treatment of age spots or sunspots. Ideally I would like my skin to look younger. Are your treatments available to men?

There are a lot of men genuinely interested in improving their appearance and are concerned with aging, but they just don't talk about it.

Our treatments are not gender specific as everyone wants to look their best. We offer Skin Rejuvenation for treatment of age spots, freckles, broken capillaries and Skin Tightening for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox and fillers are also available and utilized often for both men and women. These treatments can take years off your age.