A Beginner’s Guide to Botox: Everything You’ve Wanted to Know & More

Botox, Skin Raleigh - Raleigh Moms BlogAre you curious about Botox?  Know of a friend or co-worker that has used Botox but afraid to ask them those burning questions… it safe, how does it work or how much does it cost?

We’re given you a safe place here at RMB to answer all your Botox questions with our trusted resource and partner, Skin Raleigh.  We, too, were curious and reached out to Skin Raleigh, a Davis & Pyle Med Spa, to give us some insight into BOTOX and answer our own BOTOX questions.  

A Beginner’s Guide to BOTOX®

What was once a mysterious, anti-aging elixir reserved only for wealthy celebrities has become the most widely-used, minimally invasive treatment in America. BOTOX is said to hold the promise of smooth, youthful skin, but at what price? How does it work? What are the risks? If you’re on the fence about injections, read on.  Here is everything you need to know before you jump on the BOTOX bandwagon.

How does BOTOX work?

While we often use the term “frozen” to describe people who have had too much BOTOX, BOTOX does not actually freeze your facial muscles. Rather, BOTOX works by blocking the nerve signals that tell your facial muscles to contract. This helps prevent the natural creasing that occurs when you smile, squint, or frown. By reducing repeated facial movements, the wrinkles caused by these repetitive motions are minimized.

Botox, Skin Raleigh - Raleigh Moms BlogWhere is BOTOX used?

According to Skin Raleigh, a med spa offering BOTOX in Raleigh, NC, these injections are a go-to treatment for wrinkles around the eyes and between the brows. However, some doctors offer “off-label” uses for BOTOX (meaning it’s used for purposes for which it’s not FDA approved). Less common applications include reducing lip lines, minimizing vertical neck bands, or lifting the brows. BOTOX is also approved for a number of non-cosmetic issues, such as migraines and excessive sweating.

Is it safe?

BOTOX actually has a very long history of safety and has been used in the medical community for nearly 30 years. According to an article on, BOTOX is approved for 9 medical conditions and several other cosmetic concerns. The parent company, Allergan, holds almost 800 more patents for potential uses of BOTOX. But despite its strong safety profile, BOTOX is a powerful drug that carries serious risks and should only be injected by a trained professional – such as a board-certified plastic surgeon or certified cosmetic nurse.

Who can benefit?

There is no “right age” to get BOTOX. In fact, BOTOX is used in men and women of various ages. Deciding whether or not to get BOTOX depends more on the condition of your skin and your cosmetic concerns. When you start to notice lines between your brows or around your mouth or eyes that don’t disappear when you stop smiling, BOTOX might benefit you.

Botox - Skin Raleigh, Raleigh Moms BlogWhat will I look like?

We’ve all seen pictures of alien-looking celebrities who have obviously gone a little overboard. This is often from a bad surgical brow or eyelid lift and wrongly attributed to BOTOX.  When done properly, BOTOX should leave you looking natural and refreshed. The key is to find a skilled, trained provider with a less-is-more approach. In some cases, if you do want more dramatic results, you might need to consider dermal fillers – which can work in combination with BOTOX to plump up deeper lines.

What’s the downtime?

The great thing about BOTOX is that there is no downtime – you can go right back to your daily routine. It takes about 10 minutes to inject BOTOX and about a week for the effects to fully kick in, although you may notice improvements within the first 48 hours. Immediately after your injections, you might see some minor redness, swelling, or bruising. BOTOX can also cause a temporary headache for some people, but this isn’t as common.

How much does it cost?

A number of factors influence the price of a BOTOX session, including how many units are used, the provider’s fees, and the provider’s location. BOTOX is sold by the unit, and the number of units will vary depending on where it’s placed and the level of correction needed.


Skin Raleigh shares that According to, the average price for BOTOX is $550 per session. Be wary of too-good-to-be-true discounts; the best price does not usually mean the best results. And when it comes to your appearance, it’s better to make the investment to ensure a safe procedure.

Still have some lingering questions about BOTOX or just curious about the procedure?  Visit the Skin Raleigh website or schedule a consultation.




Raleigh Moms Blog partnered with Skin Raleigh to bring you the information in this post. We only partner with sponsors that we feel will bring the most value to our audience.

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One Response to A Beginner’s Guide to Botox: Everything You’ve Wanted to Know & More

  1. Gretchen May 24, 2017 at 8:09 am #

    Very helpful, thanks!

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