To choose a physician for Botox treatments, or any procedure, I would start by asking your friends, family, of one of your own doctors. A referral from someone you know may help you end your search quickly. Another place to search is the internet. I would look for proper training/board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery and consistently good reviews from other patients. Research carefully though, since a large presence online does not necessarily translate to the best physician for you - it may just be indicative of a large advertising budget. Finally, I would not choose based on price. You will find that most board certified dermatologists in your area will charge similar fees, either by unit of Botox, or by area of the face treated. The least expensive physician is not always the right answer. Sometimes, value is getting the job done correctly at a fair price. A little homework will hopefully help you find the right dermatologist! Good luck!
Every face is different, as are everyone's goals, but a Botox treatment on the forehead should be able to relax forehead lines without completely freezing your face. My goal with most patients is to smooth/soften the problematic lines, but allow them to move their eyebrows up and down several millimeters - just not enough to make creases in their skin. I would recommend finding an experienced physician you trust, and starting slowly.
Botox is almost completely absorbed by the target nerve/muscle within one hour. I recommend that my patients not massage the area for 3 or 4 hours, which errs on the safe side. Relax, and feel free to resume your normal activities!
Using Botox in the underarms, hands, feet, and face is a very effective treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). I have patients who undergo the treatment because they sweat through one or more shirts in a day, and patients who get treated prior to a big event, such as a wedding, big speech or presentation. Everyone has found the treatment to be very satisfying or even life-changing. A typical person uses at least 100 units of Botox, and insurance companies may not cover the cost of the procedure. But for 6 months or more of improvement, most find the treatment to be well worth it.
After Botox treatments, I advise my patients not to massage or press on the treated areas for at least 4 hours. Gentle contact such as washing or make-up application are OK, but should be minimized. Botox is injected into a specific set of muscles to exert a specific effect. To minimize the risk of having the Botox unintentionally affect the wrong facial muscles, give your body 4 hours to absorb the medication. There are no studies that can specify an exact time frame. My recommendations are based on experience. As always use your best judgement.
