Botox® Cosmetic

Your toughest wrinkle - it took forty years to get it. And ten minutes to do something about it.

Actual Patient of Jean Trost R.N.,B.S.N.

Before Botox Injection

Allergan has listed Bella Tu as one of the top ten injectors for Washington State!

It seems like everyone is talking about Botox® Cosmetic these days. It's been reported in the news, in fashion, health and beauty magazines, and on TV. Maybe you've heard your best friend or co-worker discussing Botox® Cosmetic and you'd like to learn more. Botox® Cosmetic is no longer just for movie stars or models. Ordinary people like moms, teachers, and business people have already discovered the benefits of Botox® Cosmetic. Below are some common questions patients ask regarding Botox® Cosmetic.

What is your training in this procedure?

Jean Trost R.N., B.S.N. trained under Dr. Jean Carruthers. Dr. Carruthers and her physician husband pioneered the cosmetic use of Botox® in 1987. Because of Jean's unique training, she is able to achieve optimal clinical results. Dr. Carruther's website may be viewed at www.carruthers.net. Jean administers her own Botox® Cosmetic and has been injecting Botox® Cosmetic for 4 years.

What exactly is Botox® Cosmetic? Aren't you injecting poison?
Relax! Botox® Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles that cause lines to form. Botox® Cosmetic works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles. The effects of Botox are usually confined to the injected region; it does not travel throughout the body. Botox has been safely used for over 20 years.

Jean, do you personally use Botox® Cosmetic?
Absolutely! First of all, like a lot of people, I swore up and down that I would never consider Botox® Cosmetic. However, this aging "Disco Queen" is not going down without a fight. Also, I naturally tend to frown when I'm concentrating. I didn't want to look crabby or tired when I was actually feeling quite relaxed and well rested. I enjoy looking in my rearview mirror now because my face actually reflects how I feel inside. I'm in my 40's and I think Botox makes me look softer and younger!

I really want Botox® Cosmetic but I keep putting it off for some odd reason.
I think we as women have difficulty justifying doing something special for ourselves, such as Botox® Cosmetic. We've been conditioned to always put ourselves last on the priority list. You buy make-up, you color your hair, you bleach your teeth, why not do the one thing that would really make you smile back at the mirror? My male patients, on the other hand, want to make sure they "aren't the only guy" getting Botox® Cosmetic. We all want to look and feel our very best. Treat yourself just once and see what a difference it will make.

I don't know. I've just heard some scary stuff about Botox® Cosmetic...
I think people are naturally afraid of what they don't know or fully understand. For example, Botox has been safely administered for years in children with Cerebral Palsy to control tremors. Botox® Cosmetic has the highest perceived patient satisfaction rating of all physician-administered treatments in 2003 and 2004. And for the past 3 years, Botox® Cosmetic was the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgery also estimates that almost 3 million procedures were performed in 2004 alone.

How is Botox® Cosmetic priced? Buyer beware.
Excellent question! Botox® Cosmetic is charged per unit. For example, "units are to Botox" what "milligrams are to blood pressure medication." We have to administer enough units in order to achieve your desired cosmetic outcome.

Ask what your physician charges per unit of Botox® Cosmetic. If a physician charges "per area" ask your doctor how many "units" of Botox® Cosmetic were actually administered in a given area.

Ask the price per unit, not cc, not syringe, not area. Compare apples to apples.

Ask your physician approximately how long the treatment should last. A good average is 3-4 months in-between visits.

In my experience a woman generally requires an average of 25- 30 units of Botox® Cosmetic to achieve a great clinical result for the treatment of the glabellar frown line. Men, easily take more units because of muscle mass.

Allergan, the maker, of Botox® Cosmetic, recommends that a MINIMUM of 20 units be used in the glabellar frown line. Anything less is simply robbing the patient of their optimal result. Have you heard, for instance, someone saying " I had Botox and it didn't work." This patient probably paid $15.00 per unit of Botox (community standard) but only received 10 units of Botox® Cosmetic and ended up paying $150.00. If a patient purchases half of the recommended dosage, he/she will pay less money for the drug but was there enough Botox® Cosmetic delivered to provide the patient with the best clinical outcome? AT BELLA TU, WE PROVIDE THE RECOMMENDED DOSAGE.

Is Botox FDA approved?
Botox ' has been used therapeutically for over 15 years to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is approved in more than 75 countries. Botox® for therapeutic use remains one of the most widely researched medicines in the world. The same product with dosing specific to glabellar lines was approved in 2002 as Botox® Cosmetic.

What is the procedure like?
It's a simple 10-15 minute treatment that consists of a few carefully placed, tiny injections. Jean truly considers Botox® cosmetic an art form and spends quality time assessing each patient and listening to their specific goals.

I hate needles! Is this painful?
No worries. Most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. Overall, the discomfort is minimal and temporary. Most patients are pleasantly surprised. Jean considers Botox® Cosmetic an art form and prides herself on having a very loyal clientele base of happy patients.

How can I be sure I'm getting real Botox® Cosmetic?
Only licensed and trained healthcare professionals have the experience necessary to administer Botox® Cosmetic. Allergan, Inc., the maker of Botox® Cosmetic, is the only source for healthcare professionals to purchase the product, and each label has the Allergan hologram.

Do I have to take time off for this? I don't want everyone to know.
No. Botox® Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Feel free to apply your make-up if you'd like and get on with your day.

How soon will I see results?
The results start to take effect in 4-7 days with full effect in 2 weeks.

Does your face feel numb or funny after treatment?
Absolutely not. Botox does not make you feel numb, frozen or paralyzed. You feel 100% normal. You'll just look more natural and relaxed!

I don't want to look 'plastic' or like I've had work done.
Botox® Cosmetic simply relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows to form. Botox® Cosmetic will not make you look 20 years younger either. Although the results are dramatic, it will not radically change your facial appearance. So you can frown, smile, or look surprised - - without the furrows, creases, and wrinkles.

Are the results permanent?
No. Results are temporary.

How long do the results last?
Botox® Cosmetic lasts 3-4 months on average.

What areas do you treat?
Popular treatment areas include frown lines, forehead lines, and crows feet and achieving a brow lift. Feel free to talk to Jean about other areas you might be interested in treating.

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?
No. Your lines gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance.

What are the side effects?
It's unlikely that you'll develop any significant side effects, but you may notice slight bruising where Botox® Cosmetic was injected. This is only temporary and can be covered by makeup. The most common side effects are headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. To minimize the chance of slight bruising at the injection site, we recommend not taking aspirin, aspirin containing products, or Vitamin E 2 two weeks prior to treatment.

I'm pregnant. Can I get Botox?
Sorry, but no. Botox® Cosmetic can be used by people from age 18 to 65. Persons with the following known health conditions should not seek Botox® Cosmetic therapy:

Pregnancy
Breast feeding
Neurological disease
Allergies or known sensitivity to Botox® Cosmetic
Infection at the injection site.

Is Botox® Cosmetic expensive?
Actually, it's quite affordable. In fact, Botox® Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring or teeth whitening, the cost must be weighed relative to your own personal expectations.

To put it into perspective'the cost of Botox is equivalent to purchasing a latte a day and will even make you look more refreshed than that cup of coffee!

What type of payments do you accept?
For your convenience, MasterCard, Visa, checks and cash are accepted at the time of service.

I want to do this! What's the next step?
A no-fee, personal consultation is suggested prior to treatment so Jean can assess you and listen to your specific goals and expectations. Walk-in's are always welcome at Bella Tu but please call us first to check on availability.

Call us at 425-398-9001 and give yourself the gift of Botox® Cosmetic!
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