Botox in San Diego

Grossmont Dermatology is one of the most trusted locations for Botox treatments in the San Diego/La Mesa area. Botox injections can soften fine lines and wrinkles with results lasting about three to five months.

Injectables are the new way to reduce the signs of aging. We refer to injectable treatments as "new," although products like Botox® have been around for more than a decade. Designed for specific results, this product, along with dermal fillers, can achieve the goal of months-long improvement in the appearance of the skin on the face and hands. For optimal results, products may be combined to meet the unique needs of various types of lines and wrinkles.

What Is Botox?

Botox is a chemical compound containing botulinum toxin that is primarily injected into the facial skin and neck to smooth wrinkles and lines for cosmetic purposes. Botox relaxes the muscle which allows wrinkles to soften in the days and weeks following the injection.

The Benefits of Botox

Botox is commonly used to treat:

• Frown lines
• Forehead lines
• Crow’s feet around the eyes

To better understand the many uses of Botox, speak to an expert at Grossmont Dermatology.

Botox Candidacy

You may be considered a good candidate for Botox if you:

• Are in overall good health
• Have wrinkles or lines in places that Botox can successfully be injected
• Set reasonable expectations for what Botox can accomplish

Botox Treatment Details and Recovery

Botox treatments are quick in nature, as it does not take long to inject the compound into your face. Patients may experience minimal and momentary discomfort, but they can easily continue about their day right afterward.

Though patients will frequently see a difference in the days following the injections, the full effect of Botox will gradually appear over the course of a week or two. These results will typically last about three to five months, at which point further injections will be necessary to maintain the desired effect.

The Cost of Botox

The cost of the procedure depends greatly on the area of the face you want to treat and how much Botox is necessary to achieve the desired look.

Grossmont Dermatology regularly offers discounts on Botox treatments, so be sure to check out their monthly specials. Additionally, financing options through "Care Credit" are accepted at Grossmont Dermatology.

Why Should You Choose Grossmont Dermatology for Botox?

Plenty of places offer Botox, but not all of them have the same standard of care as we do. When you come to Grossmont Dermatology, you will be in the hands of certified specialists who are experts at Botox and know precisely where to inject for the most desirable effect.

Botox FAQs

Why Do I Need a Qualified Injector for Botox Treatment?

The person you choose to perform your Botox treatment will directly affect your results and safety. Botox parties at hotels or at-home group sessions are dangerous because they're not in a sterile setting, and the person injecting the botulinum toxin may not have the required training, certifications or any experience at all. Buying Botox is supposed to require a medical license, but some online outlets may sell botulinum toxin directly to consumers.

An inexperienced injector or unregulated product can cause permanent damage to your facial tissues, including long-term muscle paralysis, eye damage and Bell's palsy. Results may look unnatural if too much product is injected or may appear uneven. It's best for your health and safety never to have Botox at a party, at someone's home or in another non-medical setting.

Our doctors and physician's assistants at Grossmont Dermatology Medical Clinic and Skin Cancer Treatment Center have the knowledge, training and experience to perform Botox treatments safely and reach your desired results. Our experts know precisely how much Botox to use in which facial areas to smooth wrinkles for a natural, younger appearance.

How Does Botox Reduce Wrinkles?

Botulinum toxin is a neuromodulator created by a specific bacterium. While high amounts are poisonous, tiny doses can be used, without causing harm, to paralyze facial muscles that cause skin wrinkles and folds. Dynamic wrinkles are lines that form — mainly in the upper face — after years of repetitive facial expressions caused by facial muscles.

Botox targets these muscles in the forehead, between the brows or around the eyes to reduce wrinkles. The botulinum toxin works to limit movement in the treated area, smoothing lines on the skin's surface as the muscle relaxes. That's why Botox results take several days (whereas dermal fillers, for example, immediately add volume to the tissues and provide instant results). The goal of Botox is to weaken the muscle(s) responsible for specific lines and wrinkles without impacting surrounding muscles and tissues, in turn allowing for natural facial expressions and smoother skin.

How Often Do I Need Botox Treatments for a Smoother Complexion?

Botox results last an average of three to four months, with some patients experiencing outcomes that last longer or require additional treatment sooner. The neurotoxin's effect wears off, and the nerves resume sending signals to the muscle to contract. Some patients may have results that last longer after the second treatment than the initial injection.

Maintenance treatments with Botox can help you enjoy a younger appearance long-term.

What are Botox Side Effects?

The most common side effects of Botox are temporary and well tolerated. Injection site reactions may occur for up to the first week. These may include bruising, swelling, soreness and redness. In these cases, it's often the injection itself, not the injected toxin, that causes the side effect.

Rarely, people may experience a mild headache or temporary neighboring muscle weakness (including a drooping brow or eyelid). In extreme cases of adverse reactions, symptoms of botulism may arise, such as difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, which is a medical emergency. Though these occurrences are uncommon, the risk of these reactions increases when untrained hands perform Botox in a non-medical setting.