Before and after pictures of Los Angeles patient who received Botox from her doctor for the treatment of crows feet, other wrinkles and eyebrows*
Botox can be a promising solution for addressing wrinkles such as crows feet, forehead wrinkles and frown lines between the brows. By itself, however, it is simply a tool. The quality of the outcome resulting from a Botox procedure depends on the skills of the doctor. So it is important to look for the right information when choosing a Botox doctor.
Qualifications of a Botox Doctor
First and foremost, you should make sure that the Botox doctor you choose is board certified in either plastic surgery or dermatology. Keep in mind that board certification is not awarded in cosmetic procedures or cosmetic surgery. Be wary of anyone who claims to have this qualification.
Board certification means that the physician went through a voluntary process of rigorous exams and evaluation by their peers. The certification is awarded to doctors who have demonstrated their competency at a standard level that would help ensure high quality patient care within the area of specialization.
This criteria is an important one to consider when you are considering a Botox doctor on specific practitioners. Having a medical degree is not enough.
Skills and Past Work of a Botox Doctor
In addition to making sure that the physician you choose is board certified, also take time to review their past work on actual patients. This is another necessary step for finding the right Botox doctor as you conduct your information gathering process.
While there are certainly technical standards to follow in the administration of Botox, the physician must also be able to work on a bigger picture level to accommodate differences in individual facial anatomy.
Being able to identify the right muscle groups that need to be targeted for a Botox procedure is basic knowledge for any injector. But it takes an additional level of skill to determine precise injection points to achieve the most suitable outcome for individual patients.
The right Botox doctor must be able to determine other aspects of the procedure’s strategy such as the right dosage. Some muscle groups may demonstrate a contraction strength that is above average. This would require more units to achieve the desired results. However a higher dosage than is needed can result in the migration of the injection solution to other muscles.
Furthermore, the Botox doctor must be able to consider patient requests and balance this with appropriate decisions for the overall aesthetic outcome. There are many examples of celebrities who have chosen highly esteemed Botox doctors, only to end up looking conspicuously unnatural and the subject of ridicule in media outlets. The doctor must be able to communicate & compromise effectively to avoid extreme outcomes.
A Botox doctor must be able to work within the context of individual differences on a case by case basis. Given the variability of outcomes, it will only benefit you to look at past examples of his or her work.
Transparency of Communications
Even though Botox is regarded as a beauty treatment, it is essentially a medical procedure. Your doctor must be transparent in disclosing information to their patients.
During the evaluation phase, the doctor must properly assess patients for potential side effects such as allergies.
They must also be able to verify that the product they are injecting is actually Allergan’s Botox. Allergan is the official manufacturer of the injection. The bottle should be clearly labeled with this brand and display their signature hologram image. There are some reported cases of doctors who attempt to dilute and administer a version of botulinum toxin that is highly concentrated and intended for research animals. With the popularity and demand for Botox, imitations are now available on the market.
As a patient, you have the right to request information from your Botox doctor on what is actually being injected during the procedure. If necessary, ask to see the bottle from which the injection is derived.
It is understandable that most people who are considering Botox are eager for the end results of looking younger, or simply getting rid of a particular wrinkle (such as frown lines between the brows). However, Botox works by targeting the muscles and the nerves. This is why finding the right physician should be your first and foremost consideration, as opposed to price. Knowing what information to look for will help you be able to choose the right Botox doctor.