BOTOX^® is a purified protein neuromodulator produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. BOTOX^® is an extremely safe product with more than 20 years of clinical experience when used for aesthetic purposes. Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy M. Greco offers injections of BOTOX^® in Philadelphia to New Jersey, Delaware, and Main Line, PA, patients who want to look more youthful and rested. He is considered one of the leading injectors of BOTOX^® in the country, as well as a respected thought leader.

• What is BOTOX^®?
• Is it really possible to look years younger without surgery?
• Who is a candidate for BOTOX^® Injectable?
• BOTOX^® injectable consultation by Dr. Greco
• What are the ideal BOTOX^® treatment areas?
• What happens during a BOTOX^® Injectable treatment?
• How long will it take the BOTOX^® Injectable to take effect?
• How long will the BOTOX^® Injectable effects last?
• Is there any after treatment care required following BOTOX^® Injectables?
• Who can perform BOTOX^® Injectables?
• Can BOTOX^® Injectable be used for other structures or effects besides muscle?
• Can BOTOX^® be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)?
• How much does BOTOX^® Injectable cost?
• Are there possible complications associated with BOTOX^® Injectable?
• Why select Dr. Timothy M. Greco for my BOTOX^® Injectable?
• How do I contact Dr. Greco for a BOTOX^® Injectable treatment?

BOTOX^® FAQ

Women and men seeking BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatments in Philadelphia should be as informed as possible when researching licensed, medical practitioners who have years of experience with facial injections. During your consultation, Dr. Greco will determine whether BOTOX^® is right for you. There are a number of questions you might find yourself asking, including:

Watch a news segment in which Dr. Greco describes the improvements BOTOX^® injections can provide.

What is BOTOX^®?

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is the first FDA-approved prescription treatment that diminishes the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar frown lines (wrinkles between the eyes) and crow's feet (wrinkles that fan out laterally from the corners of the eyes) that tend to appear with age.

There's no single factor that determines the time and severity of the appearance of these lines, but factors include cellular changes, collagen and elastin depletion, and damage caused by the sun. Certain facial gestures and expressions like squinting and frowning prompt your facial muscles, particularly those between your brows or around your eyes, to contract, creating wrinkles (see Figure 2).

BOTOX^® Cosmetic works by targeting the muscles that create these lines, temporarily minimizing their activity (see Figure 3), thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Is it really possible to look years younger without surgery?

Although each patient is different, BOTOX^® treatments tend to be very effective and produce a high degree of satisfaction, which can be seen in the fact that patients continue to return for treatment.

For patients who want to look younger without committing to surgery, BOTOX^® is a quick, simple, and relatively painless way to wind back the clock, allowing you to present a fresh face to the world.

The goal for Philadelphia-area patients interested in BOTOX^® at Timothy M. Greco, MD, PC is to achieve a natural result without interfering with the patients' ability to make necessary facial expressions (lifting the eyebrows, etc.), an effect achievable through the careful, thoughtful, and expert administration of BOTOX^®.

Who is a candidate for BOTOX^® Injectable?

BOTOX^® is approved to minimize the effects of aging in adult men and women of all ages. There are very few restrictions regarding BOTOX^® treatments. Patients who are pregnant or have certain neurological diseases should not be treated. Philadelphia patients who are allergic to the ingredients in BOTOX^® or have a skin infection at the injection site should refrain from partaking in the procedure.

BOTOX^® injectable consultation by Dr. Greco

BOTOX^® treatments are administered in units in much the same way that most medications are administered: in milligrams. Each of our BOTOX^® patients receives a customized treatment and dosage.

During your consultation, Dr. Timothy M. Greco will determine the amount needed to treat your areas of concern. The key to a successful treatment is to administer enough units to dramatically improve dynamic wrinkles while maintaining a natural expression to the face. Static wrinkles may be further improved with the use of fillers.

What are the ideal BOTOX^® treatment areas?

BOTOX^® is an effective treatment for fine lines that form on the face and neck as a result of the aging process. The most common areas are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines, and the crow's feet.

Dr. Timothy M. Greco is also using BOTOX^® more in the middle and lower face to complement filler injections (see Figure 4). Perioral lines (lines around the mouth) form with aging and can be considerably worse in smokers. These areas respond well to BOTOX^®, particularly as a complement to fillers.

What happens during a BOTOX^® Injectable treatment?

During your BOTOX^® consultation in the Philadelphia area, patients will receive a customized treatment and dosage from Dr. Greco. During the consultation, Dr. Greco will review your medical history and information and discuss your goals for the treatment. Patients who are particularly sensitive can discuss the possibility of using a topical cream to anesthetize (numb) the area.

The duration of your BOTOX^® treatment will depend on the number of units you receive, but Dr. Greco will review the details of the procedure prior to the treatment, which usually takes only a few minutes. Patients typically experience only a minor stinging sensation at the injection site and can return to their regular routine in two hours.

How long will it take the BOTOX^® Injectable to take effect?

It takes approximately 3 to 7 days for the effects of BOTOX^® to start becoming apparent. At 2 weeks after your initial visit, a follow-up evaluation will be scheduled. At this time, additional units of BOTOX^® may be injected to enhance the effect.

How long will the BOTOX^® Injectable effects last?

Following a BOTOX^® treatment, full effects will occur at 2 weeks. Philadelphia women and men can expect their BOTOX^® treatment to last around 4 months, although some patients who regularly receive the treatment require fewer BOTOX^® units during subsequent visits, and others enjoy longer intervals between sessions.

Is there any after treatment care required following BOTOX^® Injectables?

Compared to most medical procedures, BOTOX^® requires no down time after the procedure, and aftercare requirements are minimal. Dr. Greco will provide his Philadelphia BOTOX^® patients with aftercare instructions.

As mentioned above, patients return in 2 weeks for a follow-up evaluation after their initial injection to have pictures taken and to evaluate their results. Dr. Greco may wish to administer additional units to enhance the effect from the first.

Who can perform BOTOX^® Injectables?

The laws about who is legally authorized to administer BOTOX^® Injectables vary from state to state. In some places, dental offices, spas, and even salons are authorized to administer BOTOX^®. However, we recommend seeking a board-certified doctor who concentrates on the face and has years of experience and the ability to handle any complications that may arise as a result of the procedure.

Though BOTOX^® is a minimally invasive procedure, Philadelphia area patients should remember that it is a medical procedure. Patients should be fully informed and should have the procedure performed by a qualified medical professional who can provide safe, natural, and effective results.

Can BOTOX^® Injectable be used for other structures or effects besides muscle?

While BOTOX^® has been recommended for a number of medical purposes, including treating urinary incontinence, migraines, and excessive sweating, BOTOX^® Cosmetic is utilized for patients seeking to eradicate aging lines by relaxing the muscles that produce them.

Can BOTOX^® be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)?

BOTOX^® was approved by the FDA in 2004 to treat severe underarm sweating in adults who have attempted to use topical treatments that were unsuccessful. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, BOTOX^® treatments result in an 82-87 percent reduction in sweating, and patients start to notice results in 2 to 4 days, with full results in about 2 weeks.

BOTOX^® treatments for hyperhidrosis are typically effective for 4 to 12 months, although some treatments last as long as 14 months. BOTOX^® hyperhidrosis treatments can be repeated as soon as the effects begin to wear off.

How much does BOTOX^® Injectable cost?

Because every patient is different and every patient's needs are different, the cost of treatment will vary depending on the number of injection sites. For specific pricing information, contact Timothy M. Greco, MD, PC and schedule a consultation with Dr. Greco, after which his staff will provide a cost for the recommended procedures.

Some procedures may be covered by your insurance, although elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. Affordable payment plans are available through CareCredit^®, and we are happy to assist Philadelphia area BOTOX^® patients with any and all financing questions.

Are there possible complications associated with BOTOX^® Injectable?

The administration of BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a medical procedure and should be treated as such, beginning with your selection of a licensed and trained medical professional.

Having said that, BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a minimally invasive nonsurgical procedure that was performed more than 6 million times in the United States in 2014. It is among the safest and most commonly performed medical procedures, and patients can feel comfortable knowing that the procedure is extremely safe and effective.

A few potential side effects include localized pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, or bruising near the injection site. These effects are brief and should be discussed with the doctor. Sensitive patients who are particularly concerned about pain can discuss the possibility of applying a topical anesthetic (numbing) cream with Dr. Greco.

Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding, suffer from certain neurological diseases, or who are allergic to the ingredients in BOTOX^® should refrain from partaking in the procedure.

Dr. Greco will discuss the medical history and concerns with Philadelphia women and men considering scheduling a BOTOX^® procedure.

Why select Dr. Timothy M. Greco for my BOTOX^® Injectable?

While there are many facilities offering BOTOX^®, Philadelphia area women and men can and should choose a doctor like Dr. Greco whose practice is exclusively dedicated to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Besides authoring numerous papers addressing the subject of BOTOX^® in cosmetic procedures, Dr. Timothy Greco is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Numerous Philadelphia-based publications have named Dr. Greco as a "Top Plastic Surgeon" or "Best Plastic Surgeon" in the area. He is a member of the PaletteSM Education Faculty, which is responsible for training other doctors and aesthetic nurses in the application of BOTOX^® and fillers all over the country.

How do I contact Dr. Greco for a BOTOX^® Injectable treatment?

Dr. Greco is eager to answer all your questions and help determine whether BOTOX^® is the right treatment option for you.