1. At Willow Medical Aesthetics your treatment will be done by Medical Doctors.

You may see other providers offering the treatment. While Botox injections are relatively simple, the treatment still needs to be done by a trained and experienced medical professional. If the injections are too deep, too low, or in the wrong spot, you could have negative side effects.

Dr. Sullivan is a Medical Doctor. She specializes in Aesthetic Medicine and has a Post-graduate diploma in Aesthetic Medicine. Beyond her qualifications and more than 13 years of experience, she has attended numerous Botox training courses both in Canada and the UK to refine her technique.

2. Know how your doctor charges.

The price is $10/unit. Her aim is for you to look natural and she typically uses less product. While everyone's needs and requirements differ, the average Botox treatment costs $140 - $370, depending on the areas treated. Dr Sullivan aims for a more "natural look", and our anecdotal experience is that patients comment that Dr. Sullivan uses less product than they have typically had before.

3. What’s it like to get Botox?

The process of getting Botox should be quick and simple. Depending on your needs, you should receive a few injections in your treatment areas, and you will be on your way. Typically these just feel like a sharp prick.

4. Pain, swelling, and bruising.

Many patients report minimal pain. There may be some initial mild redness, swelling, or bruising, which should resolve quickly. The reaction is similar to getting a shot at your general practitioner.

5. What results should you expect?

When done correctly, in injection amount and technique, Botox should give you a more youthful look. Typically, the results take a few days before they start to show and continue to improve until about two weeks, when the results are at their maximum. The effect will gradually wear off after three to four months or so.

6. What are the possible side effects?

Most patients don’t have issues beyond minor redness, bruising, or swelling. Occasionally the Botox can spread too far and impact muscles it wasn’t intended to. That can cause effects like a droopy eyelid.

7. Getting rid of Botox.

If you have a complication from Botox , you must unfortunately wait it out. It will wear out, it just takes time.

8. How long does it last?

How long Botox lasts will be different for everyone. It also depends on the areas treated, and how many units were injected. On average, most Botox treatments last between two and six months. The average length of time that Botox remains effective is three to four months. Some patients feel it wears off after two to three months, and others who see the effect for more like five to six months.

9. Botox may change more than a few wrinkles.

Botox is known for battling wrinkles, but it could also have some impacts you didn’t expect or desire. If you relax the muscle in one area and that could affects another.

10. Is it preventative?

Although you may not have fixed wrinkles yet, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider Botox. Starting treatment before wrinkles start forming can limit their development and reduce the treatments needed later.

Treating wrinkles now helps slow the development of deeper wrinkles in the future, and makes it easier to treat these creases as well, meaning that you'll look younger for a longer time.

11. Does Botox train your muscles?

With continued and consistent Botox treatments, you could see an increase in longevity. That's because repeated use can cause a gradual relaxing of the muscles. The less active they are, the less they work to create wrinkles.

12. What is the difference between Botox Cosmetic® and Dysport®

Dysport and Botox contain the same active ingredient: botulinum toxin type A.

In Canada, Botox Cosmetic® is distributed by Allergan and Dysport® by Galderma. Dr. Sullivan uses both products.