BOTOX® Cosmetic

Wrinkles come in different types, and the ones that BOTOX^® effectively targets are called dynamic wrinkles. These lines appear as a result of repeated facial movements and become noticeable when you make expressions like smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows.

Every time you move your facial muscles to convey emotion—whether joy, surprise, anger, or sadness—the skin stretches and shifts from its natural resting position. Normally, once the muscles relax, the skin bounces back smoothly.

However, as we get older, our skin loses elasticity and thins out, making it harder to return to its original shape. This causes wrinkles to form along the lines where the skin folds due to repeated muscle contractions. Everyday habits such as squinting, chewing gum, or smoking can accelerate the development of these expression lines.

It’s important to distinguish dynamic wrinkles from static wrinkles, which are present even when your face is at rest. Static wrinkles typically develop over time as the effects of collagen loss, decreased hyaluronic acid, and reduced facial fat combine with years of repeated muscle movement.

So, who is the best candidate for BOTOX^®? For patients who don’t want to have permanent cosmetic surgery and don’t have significant skin laxity, BOTOX^® can be an ideal non-surgical solution for correcting certain signs of aging.

You may be considered to be a good candidate for this injectable treatment if you have moderate to severe dynamic wrinkles and they’re located in areas where the injectable can be used—such as on the forehead, around the eyes, or on the neck. Good candidates may also be those who hope to correct forms of asymmetry that are caused by overworked facial muscles. The best candidates are in good overall health and have realistic expectations for what they can improve.

Patients should be aware that this injectable cannot alter the bone structure of the face. This treatment is also not intended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, patients who are under the age of eighteen, those who have medical conditions that affect the nerves and muscles, and those who have allergies to the ingredients contained in this product or similar botulinum toxin injectables.

“What is the perfect age for BOTOX^®?” This is another question patients tend to have. There is no one “perfect” age–but despite the common misconception, this treatment isn’t only for older people. It also does more than just reduce wrinkles that have already become deeply etched in. Preventative BOTOX^® is also a popular choice, especially among younger patients in their twenties and thirties, for the way it keeps muscles relaxed before they create noticeable lines. The best time for you to start injections all depends on factors such as your lifestyle, genetics, aesthetic goals, and skin type.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by botulinum toxin that can affect your nerves and muscles, sometimes leading to paralysis or breathing problems. While it sounds scary, it’s important to know that botulism from cosmetic injections like Botox^® is extremely rare—especially when treatments are done by qualified professionals.

That’s why choosing a trusted, experienced provider like Dr. Holly Happe, who is a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.), makes all the difference. She uses only genuine Botox^® products that come from legitimate, FDA-approved sources. This ensures your treatment is both safe and effective.

The biggest risks come from counterfeit products or injections given by untrained providers. These can cause unwanted side effects or, in very rare cases, serious complications like botulism. So, it’s best to avoid deals that sound “too good to be true” or treatments offered outside of licensed medical settings.

With Dr. Happe’s expertise and a focus on safety, you can relax knowing your Botox^® treatment is in good hands—giving you great results without the worry.

You might have concerns such as, “Is there anything I should avoid before BOTOX^®?” Not much preparation is needed. It’s recommended that you don’t drink alcoholic beverages for at least twenty-four hours before your appointment. Avoid medications and supplements that have blood-thinning effects for at least two weeks, as long as it is medically safe for you to do so.

Before your BOTOX^® session, Dr. Holly Happe will perform a complete medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment. She will also perform a complete facial examination to see which areas of your face could benefit from the injectable. You will be asked to do things like raise and furrow your eyebrows, squint, and wrinkle your nose.

Dr. Holly Happe will note such factors as wrinkle crease depth and symmetry. She will then design a BOTOX^® treatment plan around those findings. Be prepared to list medications you are taking, allergies you may have, or activities you expect to undergo in the coming days and weeks.

The BOTOX^® injections take only minutes to administer and may feel like small, quick “pinches” to the skin. That said, Dr. Happe is a board-certified anesthesiologist who prioritizes pain minimization. She uses advanced and personalized techniques to make each treatment session as comfortable as possible.

*Actual patient. Results may vary.

Dr. Happe’s treatment philosophy is to start small for a more natural, expressive look. Subsequent doses can be adjusted accordingly. You should expect to schedule a two-week follow-up visit. That is when “tweakments” can
be made if there are issues or if you desire further relaxation of the muscles.

Two of the major advantages of BOTOX^® Cosmetic are its fast results and lack of recovery time. Right after the treatment, expect some slight discomfort in the injected areas—but there shouldn’t be any pain afterward. You may be asked to perform facial exercises by frowning and smiling frequently for an hour after the treatment.

Curious about what to do and not to do after BOTOX^® injections? You can resume your normal daily activities right after the session, with exceptions. You cannot lie down or bend over for four hours after the treatment. You should also avoid rubbing the areas that were treated, as the pressure could cause the medication to migrate, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for twenty-four hours. Relax, maintain a normal heart rate, avoid other skin treatments, and stay out of the sun for the rest of the day.

So, you’re probably looking forward to seeing your new look and wondering, “When will I see the full results of BOTOX^®?” Remember, this treatment takes time to settle, so don’t panic if you’re not seeing the final outcome right away. Anywhere from one to fourteen days later, you will start to see the effects of BOTOX^® Cosmetic: less-visible wrinkles, smoother skin, and other benefits, depending on the treatment. If you want to see real-life effects of this treatment in BOTOX^® before and after photos, our photo gallery shows the types of results possible.

The results from this injectable treatment are temporary, with the effects typically wearing off after three to five months. After that, BOTOX^® can be repeated as desired to maintain long-term results. Another question patients ask a lot is, “What affects the longevity of BOTOX^®?” Several factors influence how long your BOTOX^® results last. These include your metabolism, the area treated, the dosage used, and how often you receive injections. Lifestyle habits such as sun exposure, smoking, and skincare routines also play a role. Additionally, individual muscle activity and age can affect the duration of results.

Keeping your BOTOX^® looking fresh and flawless is easier than you think! While maintenance injections are essential to keep those smooth, youthful results going, there are plenty of other simple ways to prolong your glow. Staying hydrated, protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen, and following a good skincare routine all help support your BOTOX^® effects. Think of it as a beauty tune-up—regular touch-ups combined with healthy habits keep your expression natural and radiant. With the right care and timing, you’ll keep turning heads and feeling confident every step of the way!

BOTOX^® is safe but powerful. Dr. Holly Happe will give you a list of rare side effects to watch for. You should expect to experience little more than temporary, slight redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and other reactions common to treatments that involve injections.

Yes. BOTOX^® Cosmetic was the first muscle relaxer approved by the FDA and has the longest history of safety and application, but five other similar botulinum toxin type A injectables, known as Letybo^®, DAXXIFY^®, Jeuveau^™, Dysport^®, and Xeomin^®, are also available.

Lots of patients ask, “What is the best injectable for wrinkles?” There is no one specific type that’s best for everyone. Whether BOTOX® and/or another type is right for you all depends on your aesthetic goals, the areas you would like to treat and your previous experiences with neurotoxins. All neuromodulators work by the same basic mechanism—they use botulinum toxin type A to gently relax the muscles responsible for facial lines and wrinkles. While their core action is identical, each brand brings its own unique benefits and subtle differences in formulation, diffusion, and duration, allowing for personalized treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

Are you wondering, “What treatments can you combine with BOTOX^®?” or “How can I maximize my BOTOX^® results?” Curious about BOTOX^® alternatives? To enhance your results further, Dr. Holly Happe also offers dermal fillers to smooth wrinkles caused by age-related volume loss or environmental factors like sun exposure—rather than from repeated muscle movement.

Unlike BOTOX^® and other neurotoxins, dermal fillers, such as Juvederm^® and Restylane^®, are soft, gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to temporarily soften wrinkles and enhance facial features such as the cheekbones. These cosmetic treatments can address what BOTOX^® Cosmetic can’t—and vice-versa—for an overall more youthful look. Dr. Happe also provides RHA^® fillers–the first ever line of hyaluronic acid fillers designed for targeting dynamic wrinkles.

Additionally, Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics provides microneedling and chemical peels for skin rejuvenation. Both of these skin treatments stimulate collagen regeneration to improve texture and tone. Peels remove oil, debris, and dead skin, allowing newer, healthier skin to take its place, while microneedling induces production of collagen beneath the surface.