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What Type of Doctor is Best at Botox?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Question viewed 5,166 times
Tags: dermatologist, dermatology, facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon

A plastic surgeon or a dermatologist?

25 answers to What Type of Doctor is Best at Botox?

+1

Type of MD to choose for Botox

It's not about title, but training. Find an experienced Botox injector who values ongoing education and regardless of title you should wind up with a good result. Facial plastic surgeons do have the luxury of a specialty in facial musculature, but this knowledge can be fairly easily gained by other practitioners as well. We've found that the practitioners in our area that are known for not performing injections well are the same ones that are never seen at continuing education seminars and... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

+2

Plastic surgeons and dermatologists can administer Botox well

Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists can both be exceptional at performing Botox. It is likely the entire staff has done Botox, so you have well over a dozen examples of their work to view. Ask about how often they perform Botox, and whether they have achieved Platinum Status (for the largest users of Botox). Always be certain your Botox will be reconstituted and then used immediatly. Botox that sits many hours, days, or even weeks will certainly lose some of the potency, and you... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+2

Botox Injections

The important factors to consider are experience, detailed understanding of the anatomy, and skill of the surgeon injector. I would recommend a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for all plastic surgery and injections involving the soft tissues around the eye. This includes Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Eyelid surgery, Browlift and other surgical procedures. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have 2 to 3 years of comprehensive formal plastic surgery training on the aesthetics, anatomy and... more
Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

One's experience will help determine your results.

You can find a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who can get you fantastic results or just average results depending on the level of their experience. I have a bias towards plastic surgeons as we have a deeper understanding of one's anatomy, because we actually see it. This being said, you may still get a wonderful result with a non-plastic surgeon as well depending on their experience. Do your homework.
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Any Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist who is experienced is fine

Botox injection is just an injection. Any doctor can do it well if he/she is trained to do it. Most important is how she/he mixes it and how much he/she injects and most important where. So aesthetics come into play here as well. So you can go to any experienced physician and provided he/she is experienced and well trained and has a good aesthetic sense as to where to inject it on you, and you should be fine.
Helen S. Colen, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

How long have they used Botox in their practice?

Jessica, For Botox injections, experience matters more than which Board your doctor is certified by. Botox injections by Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, and Facial Plastic Surgeons are only as good as the injector. Each patient has different anatomy and has different goals for their Botox treament. Being a good listener and a good injector are both important. Ask how long they have used Botox in their practice and approximately how many Botox patients the practice sees per week. So ask... more
Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+2

Experience is the key

I have found excellent injectors in both these specialties (as well as oculo-plastic and facial plastic) as I have lectured and demonstrated at meetings over the years. Certainly, the physician is the best injector, as opposed to an extender, but having a physician injector is still not a guarantee of results. Try checking with Allergan to discover who is a platinum injector. It means they have lots of experience. Ask firends who look great WHO is their secret (if they will tell). Check out... more
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+2

Both can be equally good (or bad).

When you are looking for a doctor to perform your Botox injections, seek an experienced and adequately trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Neither type of doctor is necessarily better than the other at administering Botox. The skills, training and demeanor of the individual physician matters most. It is important that you find someone who is willing and able to answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have.
Bryan K. Chen, MD

San Diego Dermatologist
+2

It is experience that matters.

Jessica, When it comes to Botox Cosmetic injections, it really is experience that matters. Both plastic surgeons and dermatologists are well qualified to inject Botox. However, not all plastic surgeons and not all dermatologists are good at injecting Botox. As the doctor about their experience with Botox. Talk to the other patients in the waiting room. Read about the doctor on the internet. All of these sources will give you a good idea about their skill and their personality. Be... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+2

Both are qualified

Both Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists are qualified to inject botox. More importantly, it is best that you seek one with experience and with whom you feel comfortable. Also it is best that you seek a board certified specialist. You can review their board credentials via www.abms.org. You may also want to review their status with state licensing agency. In other instances, these specialists will supervise Nurse injectors or Physician Assistants to administer these treatments. You may want... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox should be done by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

A well-trained, conscientious board-certified dermatologist (and dermatologic surgeon) or plastic surgeon is the appropriate physician to inject botox. Other core cosmetic specialists include oculoplastic and ENT/facial plastic surgeons. These physicians have formal training in the underlying facial neuroanatomy and musculature that is affected by Botox. Other types of injectors are generally not performing facial surgical procedures and do not learn the relevant information in their... more
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

+1

An EXPERIENCED board certified plastic surgeon or derm is best for Botox

Botox may be safely and effectively administered by a Board Certified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist.  These are physicians that have received training in treating this area of the face and with this medication. Although Botox will ultimately wear off, remember that you will have to live with uneven or unattractive results for 4 months if your doctor is not an experienced Botox injector. 
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

What type of doctor is best at Botox?

 Hello, Either doctor "could" be the right one for you.  See my response about liposuction - it's all about trust, expectations and communication all other variables the same.
Michael Kulick, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Who is qualified to inject Botox?

Facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and eye plastic surgeons can all do the job as long as they are trained properly, and have a large practice dedicated to Botox. It helps if the physician is well versed in the anatomy of the facial muscles, and has a good aesthetic sense.
Maurice M. Khosh, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox treatment by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

Botox treatments are technically not difficult as is evident by the sheer number of physicians performing the treatment. The optimal approach to Botox can only be by a physician or surgeon who has the technical expertise to perform the injections, an artistic eye, the patience to speak to you and answer your questions, and someone who can best manage complications, should they arise. A board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist can both assume this role.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Plastic Surgeon for your Botox

Facial Plastic Surgeons devote themselves to master surgical and non-surgical procedures on the area of the face and neck, maybe more than any other physician. For example: 4 years of training in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (which includes Facial Plastic Surgery) and an extra year in a Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship; makes a Facial Plastic Surgeon one of the most devoted Plastic Surgeons on the specific area of the face with 5 years of training. Not one, but 2 board... more
Gustavo A. Diaz, MD

Charlotte Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Only plastic surgeons offer the full spectrum of treatment for rejuvenation of the face and body.

More important than the physician's specialty is the individual's experience in performing Botox injections. Plastic surgeons undergo extensive training to gain a familiarity with the intricate anatomy of the face. This knowledge combined with sound technique can optimize the results of Botox injections. Accurate intramuscular injections can prolong the desired effect of Botox, thereby decreasing the frequency with which you have the return for repeat injections. Moreover, a plastic... more
James C. Grotting, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Both are fine

As has been pointed out, both are competent to administer Botox. Plastic surgeons are the only doctors that should be doing plastic surgery, but since Botox is NOT surgery, either one is fine.
David E. Berman, MD

Sterling Plastic Surgeon
+1

You want experience and expertise, the specialty does not count.

This is a straightforward procedure, it is only an injection. A plastic surgeon will have experience in dealing with all of your cosmetic needs and will be able to tell you if botox is the correct treatment. If you need surgery or another procedure, the plastic surgeon can tell you. A dermatologist only gives injections and other minor skin care treatment, so pick the physician by what you want and how confident you feel in their hands.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Both

Both plastic surgeons and dermotlogist can do a good job. The best thing is to find out from your friends and also try to find a doctor that will address your needs including botox, filler and also surgery. I have a lot patients that ask for botox but they need other treatments.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox doctor

Either a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon can be equally as good. Your thought process is correct because you are better going with one of these doctors who is trained in aesthetic procedures. Going to some of the non-core physicians ( family practitioners, ob-gyns, etc.) may not be the best idea. Yes, their prices may be lower, but they are not trained in aesthetic procedures that same way derms and plastic surgeons are, and they certainly are not too comfortable dealing with potential... more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Reputation and Results are more important for Botox than specialty

Both Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists are will qualified to perform Botox injections. You need to ask around to find the doctor who is reputable and reliable. Find out who has good results with low complications. This procedure is not very technically difficult and commonly is performed by a nurse in the office. You can also go the Botoxcosmetic Website and look for a physician on their list. The higher on the page, the more Botox (generally) their office performs. Ask if they are a... more
David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing for this simple procedure on specialty is pointless.

Hello, Choose a doctor with whom you have friends who have had the injection with good results. Botulinum treatments simply take practice and no special training in my opinion. If you were looking into more involved surgery, my opinion would likely be different. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

A plastic surgeon has the advantage of actually seeing the muscles that get injected

While both plastic surgeons and dermatologists can be excellent Botox injectors, the plastic surgeon has the advantage of operating on many of the muscles that are injected. They are therefore able to "see" these muscles and their depth and relative location in their minds eye more easily that a doctor who has not done this.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

The key is knowldge and experience

A Board certified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist with good knowledge of the anatomy of the injected area will do a good job. The more I inject Botox and fillers I find that the key is to custom the injection to the patient needs. The number of units, their distribution and knowing which muscle these units will relax are the key points to a successful injection It is important to be humble and acknowledge if the patient requires few more units a short time down the road if the desired... more
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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