Charles Runels, MD
Is it safe? Yes! BOTOX® has been available for 20 years, and has been used to treat many diseases. In fact, it is used in children as young as two years old to treat cerebra palsy. These children receive over 10 times the amount use for Cosmetic – EVERY THREE MONTHS! If a two-year-old child is safe (with significantly more BOTOX® given to them) – you will be very safe. This safety has been proven repeatedly over the past 20 years through extensive testing and research. To put this all in perspective – the risks and side effects are MUCH LESS than Tylenol. BOTOX Cosmetic® is an approved prescription drug and is approved by both the FDA as well as the Health Protection Branch in Canada.
Will it give me food poisoning / is it Botulism? Isn’t BOTOX Cosmetic® a toxin / poison? No, it is not toxic to you – nor is it poisonous to you. BOTOX Cosmetic® is NOT botulism, and it will not cause food poisoning. To clarify, Botulism is the name of an illness not the name of the active drug. The product is a purified protein which is extracted from a naturally occurring bacteria and the rigorously processed under strict pharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines. It is very similar to how Penicillin comes from mold. It is an approved drug that is used in VERY tiny doses.
How do I know it won’t be toxic to me? Typically, for a cosmetic treatment, you may receive fewer than 100 units. To make someone remotely sick, you would have to receive OVER 35 times this does all at one time which would NEVER happen (plus it would cost you more than $42,000 – absolutely impossible). You are more likely to “poison” yourself with Tylenol (if you took the whole bottle at once!) than to ever remotely hurt yourself with BOTOX Cosmetic®
How does it work? BOTOX Cosmetic® works by simply relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to create a smooth and refreshed appearance.
How long does the procedure take? Generally, after the consultation, the procedure only takes up to 15 minutes. Since there is no downtime – you can do it on your lunch break – and no one would know you’ve had it done!
How quickly does it work? It can take UP TO two weeks for it to take full effect. Usually we ask patients to wait 14 days to pass in order to fully see the results.
How is it done? It is injected with a very tiny needle – much smaller than those used to take your blood, etc. A delicate insulin-type needle is used.
Does it hurt? Most patients say the injections feel similar to a little pinch, although everyone is different. We usually hear patients say, “Is that all?”
How long does BOTOX Cosmetic® last? Is it permanent? No -- BOTOX Cosmetic® is not permanent. It lasts 3-4 months on average but everyone is different. If you follow Dr. Runels’ directions to have your first three treatments promptly every three months (without waiting in between!), he will guarantee that your next few treatments will start to last longer than three months. Most patients who get their first three treatments done “back-to-back” every three months find that: •The next treatment lasts four months •Then the next treatment lasts five months •And the following treatment lasts six months •Dr. Runels’ patients who stay on his prompt treatment schedule can stabilize their treatments at approximately two times per year (saves you money!!)
Is it going to be worse when it wears off? No! Your face will never get worse if you stop using BOTOX Cosmetic® or when it wears off. BOTOX Cosmetic® “stops / slows” the clock of aging. When you stop getting treatments, the “aging clock” resumes like normal. At the very minimum, you will simply return to where you started. If you use BOTOX Cosmetic® for a number of years and the stop – your muscles learn to relax and therefore, you will end up looking a little better than when you originally started.
How much does it cost? The cost of treatment varies by each patient, and a personal consultation can give you a specific amount. Dr. Runels charges $12 per unit and the # of units that YOU will need can be given to you during a consultation with our staff. FOR EXAMPLE, for a typical female who is interested in having her frown lines treated, the cost might be approximately $480. Dr. Runels will GUARANTEE that the price given to you during a consultation with our staff will be within 15% of the exact price charged by him.
I don’t want to look like a mask without expression – will that happen? No. Dr. Runels ensures you get the look you want – as natural as you want. Most people simply want to look NATURAL, RELAXED AND REFRESHED without looking “done.” In the experienced hands of Dr. Runels – patients typically say that no one knows that they had anything done. Friends simply sat that look well-rested and great!!
What is a unit? A unit of BOTOX Cosmetic® is simply a very tiny measurement of the drug. The exact number of units you require (to achieve the look you want) will be discussed with Dr. Runels, although our staff can GUARANTEE within 15% what you will require.
What are the side effects? Side effects are RARE and are NOT PERMANENT. Rarely, there can be come minor bruising (which is easily covered up with makeup) or a slight short-term headache. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.
I have heard that you can get a drooping eyelid. Is this true? Again, side effects are RARE and are NOT PERMANENT and the can include a drooping eyelid. The incident of these side effects is less than 1% and will last from only a few days to a few weeks. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.
Where does it go in my body? BOTOX Cosmetic® stays local to the muscle where it was injected. After the injection, BOTOX Cosmetic® is simply metabolized and broken into neutral by products within a few hours.
I am pregnant / am currently breast feeding. Can I get BOTOX Cosmetic®? No. It is recommended that you wait until you are finished breast feeding to have your BOTOX Cosmetic® done. Although there is no clinical evidence to prove any harm to mother or baby – we prefer to be safe.
For appointment for free consultation; call 251-342-6466 to speak with my nurse.
Peace & Health,
Charles Runels, MD