Botox
Located in Beverly Hills, Dr. Noah Sands combines advanced injection techniques with the clinical authority of a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon to deliver results that look refreshed rather than frozen. Dr. Sands creates individualized treatment plans designed around your specific concerns and desired outcomes, whether you’re seeking cosmetic improvements for moderate to severe frown lines or medical relief from chronic migraine headaches.
10–30 minutes per session
Minimal; return to normal activities the same day
Initial effects appear within 3–7 days; peak results at 10–14 days
Typically 3–4 months for cosmetic uses
Botox is a prescription medicine containing botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin produced through careful laboratory processes that works by blocking nerve signals to targeted muscles. When injected into facial muscles, Botox relaxes the movement responsible for dynamic wrinkles (those lines that form from repeated expressions like squinting, frowning, or raising your eyebrows), resulting in the smoothing of the overlying skin.
The mechanism involves Botox entering nerve endings to prevent the release of acetylcholine, the chemical messenger responsible for triggering muscle contractions.
Botox Cosmetic received FDA approval in 2002 for the treatment of severe frown lines, and its use has since expanded to include various medical conditions. The same toxin that smooths facial wrinkles can also address chronic migraines, muscle spasticity, and hyperhidrosis, making it a versatile tool for both aesthetic enhancement and therapeutic relief.
Your Botox treatment begins with a consultation, during which Dr. Sands assesses your facial anatomy and discusses your aesthetic or medical goals. On treatment day, the procedure itself typically takes just 10–30 minutes, making it convenient enough to fit into a lunch break.
The treatment area is cleansed, and ice or a topical anesthetic may be applied to minimize discomfort. Using a fine needle, Dr. Sands injects small, precise amounts of botulinum toxin directly into the targeted muscles. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch. Immediately following treatment, you may notice small bumps or slight redness at the injection site, which typically resolves within minutes. Most people return to their regular activities right away, making Botox one of the most convenient cosmetic procedures available.
Botox injections treat a wide range of both cosmetic and medical conditions. For cosmetic concerns, Botox effectively reduces the appearance of dynamic facial wrinkles, including severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet around the eyes.
On the medical side, Botox has several FDA-approved indications:
For cosmetic purposes, Botox commonly treats the glabellar region (the “11” lines), horizontal forehead creases, and crow’s feet. Additional facial applications include the masseter muscles for jawline slimming or teeth-grinding relief, chin dimpling, lip lines (the "lip flip"), and platysma bands in the neck. Medical applications target specific sites depending on the condition, such as the scalp and neck for migraines or the underarms for sweating.
Botox delivers meaningful improvements across both cosmetic and functional concerns:
Cosmetic Benefits:
Medical Benefits:
Ideal candidates for cosmetic Botox are adults bothered by dynamic wrinkles that make them look tired, angry, or older than they feel. Candidates should be in good general health with realistic expectations. For medical applications, candidacy depends on a diagnosis that matches FDA-approved indications, such as chronic migraines or muscle spasticity.
Certain individuals should avoid Botox, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with known allergies to botulinum toxin, or individuals with certain neurological conditions like myasthenia gravis. Patients are advised to avoid alcohol and blood-thinning supplements before treatment to minimize bruising.
Who should not get Botox?
Botox isn’t appropriate for everyone. You should avoid treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have allergic reactions to botulinum toxin products, have an infection at the injection site, or have certain nervous system conditions like myasthenia gravis. Always disclose your complete medical history and all medications to your provider.
Recovery from Botox is remarkably straightforward. Immediately after your injections, you may notice minor redness or swelling at the injection site, which typically resolves within hours. For the first 24–48 hours, Dr. Sands recommends:
Most people return to work and normal activities immediately. If any minor asymmetry is noted once the product takes full effect, a small adjustment can be made at a follow-up appointment.
Initial muscle relaxation typically begins within 24–72 hours, with most patients noticing visible improvements in their wrinkles within 3–7 days. Full, peak results generally appear around 10–14 days post-treatment. For cosmetic applications, results typically last 3–4 months. Duration varies based on the treatment area, individual metabolism, and the frequency of prior treatments. Many patients find that with regular maintenance, the skin remains smoother for longer periods.
At the practice of Dr. Noah Sands, we combine technical surgical precision with an artistic vision for facial harmony. Dr. Sands’ extensive training as a facial plastic surgeon ensures injections are placed with microscopic precision, avoiding the "frozen" look and complications such as droopy eyelids. We use only FDA-approved products and follow evidence-based protocols to prioritize your safety and deliver natural-looking results that enhance your unique appearance.
Botox pricing typically depends on the number of units required to achieve your desired results. During your consultation at our Beverly Hills office, we will assess your needs, including the strength of your muscles and the number of treatment areas, to provide a detailed cost estimate. For certain medical applications, insurance may cover Botox; our team can help you understand the requirements for your specific plan.
Most patients find Botox injections very tolerable. The needles used are extremely fine, and discomfort is often described as a quick pinch at each injection site. Topical numbing cream or ice can be applied beforehand if you’re concerned about sensitivity.
Common side effects of Botox include pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site, headaches, flu-like symptoms, and temporary drooping eyelids. These effects are typically mild and resolve within days. Side effects from cosmetic use of Botox generally result from unintended paralysis of facial muscles, which can include partial facial paralysis and muscle weakness. Serious side effects from Botox can occur, including difficulty swallowing or breathing, especially if the toxin spreads beyond the intended area—contact your provider immediately if you experience trouble swallowing, breathing problems, vision problems, or muscle weakness away from the treatment site.
Results typically persist for 3-4 months for cosmetic treatments, though some patients experience effects lasting up to six months. Medical applications may have different durations depending on the condition being treated and the dosing protocol used.
Downtime is minimal. You may have slight redness or swelling at injection sites that resolves quickly. Avoid strenuous activity, rubbing the treated area, and lying flat for several hours after treatment. Most people resume normal activities immediately.
Initial effects begin within 24-72 hours, with most patients seeing noticeable improvement by days 3-7. Full results develop around 10-14 days after treatment, when the muscles have fully relaxed, and the overlying skin appears smoother.
