What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only approved treatment to temporarily improve the appearance of both moderate to severe frown lines between the brows and crow’s feet lines in adults.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most extensively studied medical aesthetic treatments and is approved for cosmetic use in 78 countries.* BOTOX® Cosmetic has a record of experience that aesthetic providers know and trust. And, the safety and efficacy of BOTOX® Cosmetic have been evaluated in both Allergan sponsored clinical trials as well as in 417 peer-reviewed articles in scientific and medical journals.

BOTOX® Cosmetic contains tiny amounts of a highly purified botulinum toxin protein refined from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Formulations, potency, and approved doses vary among botulinum toxin products, which means that one product cannot take the place of another. Those are a few reasons why there is no such thing as a “generic” form of BOTOX® Cosmetic. There have been no studies to support that other products are Unit-to-Unit equivalent to BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Approximately 10.9 million vials of BOTOX® Cosmetic have been sold in the United States since 2002, and millions of people have already made BOTOX® Cosmetic a part of what they do for themselves. Today, BOTOX® Cosmetic is the #1 selling product of its kind in the world.†

*VISTABEL® outside of North America.
†Data collected through June 2014.

How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?

BOTOX® Cosmetic targets one of the underlying causes of frown lines and crow’s feet—the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting over the years. Your provider will inject these muscles with BOTOX® Cosmetic to temporarily reduce muscle activity. You will begin to notice a visible smoothing of your crow’s feet lines and frown lines between your brows.

Will BOTOX® Cosmetic make me look like I’ve had work done?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment. You should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained, and a medical expert in facial anatomy. It is important to talk to your provider about the results you want from treatment.

Does BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment hurt?

Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX® Cosmetic feels like a pinch. Your provider may use ice to numb the treatment area. If you are concerned about discomfort, your provider may apply a topical numbing cream before administering your treatment.

What were common side effects seen in clinical studies?

Three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies and 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow's feet studies. Other possible side effects include: dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight and dry eyes; and allergic reactions. These are not all of the possible serious side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Please see the Important Safety Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, and talk to your doctor.

How long does the treatment take?

Your provider will discuss your treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate treatments for you. The actual injection process takes about 10 minutes.

What is the average treatment cost?

Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the doctor or healthcare professional who is administering your treatment. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment—look for someone who is licensed and trained and has experience treating patients with BOTOX® Cosmetic. Be wary of discount products or “cheap” BOTOX® Cosmetic—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It is more important to find an experienced provider who will take the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

How can I save on treatments?

Enroll in the Brilliant Distinctions® Rewards Program to save money on BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. You earn points on each BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment that you can redeem for savings on future treatments. You can also earn and redeem points on other selected treatments that your doctor may determine are right for you.

In addition, you can also earn points when you shop online at your favorite retailers participating in the Brilliant Distinctions® Mall. As a member you will receive treatment reminders and information about your points balance.

When will I see results?

You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines, with results lasting up to 4 months.

How many injections will I receive?

For the crow’s feet area, your provider will inject 3 areas of the orbicularis oculi, the muscle that frames the side of the eye. This will be repeated on the orbicularis oculi muscle on the other eye.

For the frown lines area, your provider will administer 5 injections into muscles in your forehead—1 in the procerus muscle and 4 in the corrugator muscles.

How long is the recovery time after treatment?

After your treatment, you can resume your day. There is minimal downtime and your provider may give you specific aftercare instructions.

Do men receive BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?

Yes. BOTOX® Cosmetic has also been clinically evaluated in male patients. In clinical studies for moderate to severe frown lines, 17.5% of patients treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic were men. In the clinical studies for moderate to severe crow's feet, male patients comprised approximately 10% of patients treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 10% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2014 were on men—that is more than 1 million cosmetic procedures. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased by 273% from 1997 to 2014.