Botulinum toxin is a purified protein extracted from a substance called Clostridium botulinum, which was discovered by scientists in Belgium in 1895 and immediately identified as a substance with possible therapeutic properties. Scientists have been studying the bacteria ever since. The BOTOX^® treatment utilized by doctors in Dallas and beyond is a highly purified botulinum toxin taken from the bacteria.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initially approved BOTOX^® injections as a means of assisting patients who suffered from eye muscle problems in 1989, with continued expansion of the medication’s therapeutic uses until April of 2002, when the injections were approved for cosmetic purposes to diminish moderate to severe glabellar (between the eyebrows) frown lines. As recently as 2010, BOTOX^® was approved as a treatment for muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist, and finger.

Today, BOTOX^® is used for more than 21 different medical functions across more than 80 countries and numerous U.S. cities and regions, including the Dallas area, and more than one million patients have chosen it as a means of eliminating unpleasant facial lines.

BOTOX^® gets plenty of attention as a popular and safe injectable cosmetic for smoothing out wrinkles, but it can treat more aesthetic problems on the face than that. Part of the public perception of BOTOX^® is likely due to the fact that the FDA approved it for use in addressing forehead lines, frown lines that form between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet that appear next to your eyes. While these are the specific areas researched in dedicated studies and trials, it is also routinely applied to muscles that cause a variety of other cosmetic troubles. Bunny lines that crinkle to either side of the upper nose can be relaxed by BOTOX^®, as can lip lines that stretch vertically between the mouth and nose. Beyond wrinkles, the cosmetic can reduce the appearance of chin dimples, as well neck bands below that. It also works to stop the persistent down turning that tugs on the sides of the mouth and eyebrows to create a permanent frown or scowl. Dr. Ellen Turner offers more than just BOTOX^® at her Dallas practice; she also maintains a team of trained, experienced, and caring experts who work together to get the most out of their available tools and treatments to the benefit of their patients.

The Federal Drug Administration has approved BOTOX^® Cosmetic for women and men across the United States between the ages of 18 and 65.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is commonly used to relax superficial and deep lines:

Less commonly treated areas include:

Click on the image below to view our BOTOX^® before & after photo gallery.

Patients interested in BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatments should learn as much about the procedure and their intended provider as possible. Patients with the highest satisfaction levels are usually those with realistic expectations and a healthy psychological outlook, meaning patients who want to look and feel better but recognize that BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatments are not a cure-all. There are better options, for example, when it comes to treating signs of aging under the eyes.

While BOTOX^® Cosmetic has historically been viewed as a treatment for middle-aged patients, younger women and men are increasingly interested in it as a means of minimizing wrinkles before they become a significant nuisance. Because the injections are most effective for dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles that haven’t permanently set, but instead appear while you’re moving your face, many patients are taking a preventative approach and utilizing the cosmetic.

Candidates for BOTOX^® Cosmetic may also be interested in other anti-aging treatments, including as dermal fillers or lip fillers such as Voluma^®, Juvéderm^®, and Restylane^® as well as skin tightening treatments such as Ultherapy^®. Dr. Turner prides herself on outstanding patient care. She is very diligent about choosing appropriate candidates for each procedure and you can expect your consultation with her to be comfortable, informative, and respectful. She will listen to your concerns and carefully evaluate you for this procedure and/or other appropriate interventions based on your clinical needs and personal preferences. To ask Dr. Turner if you are a candidate for BOTOX^®, you can book an appointment online or call the office to make an appointment at (214) 373-7546. We will also be happy to work with you to discuss options.

Following your BOTOX^® treatment, results may be seen in as quickly as two to three days, but full effects typically require three to five days. Results from the injections typically last three to six months, depending on the injection site, injection amount, and a patient’s facial dynamics. BOTOX^® tends to last longer in those who use it consistently. Duration can also be affected by the amount of animation (movement) and muscular structure in the area that is treated. Each patient is somewhat different, but those with strong facial musculature and movement will generally have less duration.

Learn more about BOTOX^® post treatment best practices.

If it is determined that you are a candidate for BOTOX^® injections, the cost will vary based on the treatment area(s). Patients looking for outside financing to help pay for this elective procedure can quickly and easily apply online for CareCredit, which arranges monthly payments, allowing for an immediate start to treatment. Patients can customize a payment plan to allow them to best suit their particular needs. Talk to our staff to learn more.

When it comes to BOTOX^®, Dallas-area dermatologist Dr. Ellen Turner knows that the cosmetic is popular for its ability to fight wrinkles, but that people still have questions they want answered as they consider the treatment. Read on to get more information about the top cosmetic procedure in the United States.

The full name of this cosmetic can appear intimidating: onabotulinumtoxin A. The active part of this wrinkle-fighter is a purified form of a toxin manufactured by Clostridium botulinum, a type of bacteria. Too much science talk? Know that BOTOX^® Cosmetic is an injectable that temporarily keeps signals sent through your nerves from completing their journey. When your brain tells your forehead to crease into a scowl for instance, that message won’t get through to certain muscles, keeping the furrows from forming.

Absolutely! While women have historically received the majority of cosmetic treatments, that trend is shifting as men are increasingly becoming aware of the opportunities for self-improvement that aesthetic treatments like BOTOX^® Cosmetic can offer. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2014 more than 10 percent of cosmetic patients in the United States were men, an increase of 273 percent since 1997.

As society grows more image conscious and people, both women and men, become more educated about the many options available to them, the number of people choosing to do something about those pesky imperfections, including frown lines, continues to increase. BOTOX^® injections are a safe, quick, and convenient method of subtly turning back the clock.

As a cosmetic, BOTOX^® has been approved for use in more than 70 countries around the world – including the United States, where the FDA recognizes it as an established treatment for glabellar lines on the forehead and crow’s feet to either side of the eye. Doctors have been administering it for more than 30 years, so it’s an established and known quantity in the medical community, racking up more than 12 million treatments in the last 15 years alone.

While BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure with minimal risks, it’s still important to share certain information with your provider. Specifically, your doctor will want to know any medications that you’re taking, your previous history with the cosmetic and whether you’ve suffered an allergic reaction to such injections before, your medical history including muscle or nerve conditions and whether you’ve suffered any problems swallowing or breathing, any past history of facial surgery, and whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Patients taking medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which are blood thinners, are more likely to notice a bruise at the injection site following a treatment and are advised to avoid the medication for two weeks leading up to their appointment.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is frequently used on areas of the face besides the two FDA-approved locations, with doctors offering it to smooth out lip lines and neck bands. Beyond its cosmetic application, it has a large range of medical uses, which include temporary relief from hyperhidrosis (more commonly known as excessive underarm sweating), reduction of severe and chronic migraines, relaxation of muscles that spasm uncontrollably, and treatment for an overactive bladder. BOTOX^® treatments help decrease spasticity in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and other neurological issues, reduce pain caused by tennis elbow, help reduce facial drooping in Bell’s palsy patients, and help patients suffering from strabismus, also known as crossed eyes or a squint. In fact, BOTOX^® was initially researched and utilized in the treatment of various medical conditions decades before it was approved for cosmetic purposes. Researchers continue to regularly uncover new beneficial uses for the botulinum toxin.

These days, BOTOX^® is likely available from everyone even remotely connected to a dermatologist in Dallas, TX, but that doesn’t mean you should head to the nearest provider who comes up after searching “BOTOX® near me” and offer up your forehead for an injection. Despite the fact that salons and even dentists now offer BOTOX^® for their guests, anyone interested in the cosmetic injectable should seek out a medical professional with not just training, but experience in administering BOTOX^® specifically. There are more frequently asked questions than can be answered here, but any reputable professionals, such as dermatologist Dr. Ellen Turner and her staff, will address any comments or concerns in person, ensuring that you feel totally comfortable and safe as you explore this treatment option.

Using a very small needle (microcannula), BOTOX^® Cosmetic is injected into specific, targeted areas. For most patients, there is rarely much discomfort, with many patients describing the sensation as something akin to a pinch. Redness at the injection site(s) should subside within an hour. Bruising is infrequent, but when present can last for a few days. Most patients can return to work immediately after treatment. If you are concerned about the possibility of pain, share that concern with your doctor, as it is possible to apply a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort. Patients who are suffering from a skin infection on or near the injection site should notify their medical provider and wait until the infection is healed before receiving a BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment in the Dallas area.

It’s worth noting that the procedure itself lasts only about 10 minutes, with a handful of injections over the course of a single treatment. The exact number and locations of the injections depend on the individual patient and their desires and needs.

We offer our patients a BOTOX^® consultation performed by a medical esthetician trained to evaluate your specific needs and determine the best way to achieve the youthful, rejuvenated look you desire. While a budget is key, safety is even more essential, and it’s important to seek out a trained medical professional when the time comes to schedule your BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatments. Many businesses offering BOTOX^® injections have received only a few days’ training and have no additional medical background. Patients who are interested in multiple treatments have the option of enrolling in Allergan’s Brilliant Distinctions^® program, where each BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment earns points which can be redeemed for savings on future treatments. Schedule your consultation online or call (214) 373-7546 today.