Botox - What They Don't Tell You
Botox arrives with drama. When the small shipping container is opened, a dry-ice fog creeps out as if heralding some mystical potion. After the introduction, the main event is underwhelming… Botox lies a desiccated little crust on the bottom of a small bottle.
This crust, ‘the purified protein’ that has launched a thousand brows, must be mixed with saline before it can release its magical effect. The dilution is then drawn into a needle for injection. The rub is this: how much saline ? Obviously the more saline, the less concentrated the solution, and the less effective the Botox may be.
Why don’t doctors want you to know this? Well, you're supposed to be easy money: 5 minutes, jab-jab-jab, out the door. Doctors really haven't budgeted the time to answer your questions regarding their choice of concentration.
On the other hand, let’s spare a thought for the doctor and their balance sheet. Botox is expensive. To ameliorate costs, they mix a stronger solution for the stronger muscles (often for the forehead), and use the weaker solution for weaker muscles. Usually this is fine and the doctors are very good at sorting out what is required. And - if they used the stronger solution for everything, everyone would end up having to pay much more for Botox. Hardly a win-win.
Any professional practice will make sure you're happy with your treatment. This may mean returning for a follow up if the Botox hasn't taken (i.e. there is more movement in the area than expected). If you've paid by the area, often this follow up treatment is free of charge (that is, if the doctor agrees the Botox hasn't had the desired effect). If you paid by the unit, then you will probably be charged for any additional unit required (click here for more information on Botox costs).
What you must do to ensure you get your money's worth is mention any previous, unsatisfactory results from Botox, e.g. “it didn’t take in this area, or it didn’t last that long…”. Knowing your Botox history may prompt the practitioner to choose a higher concentration.
