Regardless of where one falls on the subject of Botox—a drug made from the bacterial botulinum toxin and used to prevent a muscle from moving for a limited period of time—it’s nearly impossible to avoid the buzz surrounding the topic. While some swear by regular doses to help them look and feel more youthful, others are put off by fears exacerbated by the recent headlines of bogus Botox injections (and their adverse effects). Many medical professionals, like the experts at Seattle’s Glow Medispa, are now working even harder to clear up misinformation and alleviate common hesitations.
Dr. Kate Dee’s Glow Medispa came to the industry 10 years ago from the medical world of imaging and breast cancer. She describes herself as not the typical beauty consumer, landing more on the scientific side of things. “I’m really all about feeling great in your skin,” she says. He recognizes the reality of the world in which he is immersed. “The industry I’m in is chaotic at best,” he says, adding that there are “a lot of great things and a lot of terrible things.” Negative news stories about fake and illegal botox cases haven’t helped matters recently, and Dee hopes to help clear the air.
Dee finds that after most clients have tried one type of Botox, they’ll say, “Now can we try this area?” Not only do people tend to feel better and look good (“relaxed, less stressed and friendlier”), but headaches tend to go away too. “The net positive is huge,” he says. As such, the procedure is very easy to do, causes surprisingly little discomfort (it’s barely felt, he promises) and the amount of toxins actually introduced to help certain muscles relax is “minor”.
It’s also important to know that it’s temporary, Dee adds. If you don’t like the results, they will soon be gone. “No harm, no foul,” he says. Of the five different toxins approved in the US, they use two — Botox, whose effects last about three months, and Dysport, which lasts about four months. Since the process needs renewal, one can decide over time what they would like to do and how often. (Nothing bad happens if you choose to stop.)
The most common reservation that Desiree Otto, MD of Glow Medispa, who has been in the industry for about six years, hears is that clients want to look natural — instead of “frozen or fake.” “Fortunately, we tailor our treatments to fit each patient’s age, desired outcome and unique facial anatomy,” she says. “We see a lot of young patients just for a little Botox.” Often people who look unnatural have had too many filler injections and too much Botox, she explains.
Recently, the use of Botox has become mainstream, Otto says, and more sophisticated techniques have led to more precise and natural results. “Also, Botox is being used by younger people as a preventative measure against aging,” he says, “Finally, there has been increased use of Botox to effectively treat other medical conditions beyond aesthetics, such as TMJ treatments, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating ) and migraines’.
Dee shares that the “angry 11” area between the eyebrows is especially popular with teachers, therapists and moms who want to look “kinder and less angry.” He also notices an interest in some industries where appearance matters more. In Seattle, for example, the tech industry tends to be young and can feel old to older employees. A potential client came in wanting to mingle with younger colleagues so they wouldn’t “discount what he says or does”.
Both experts agree that Botox works great for treating forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. “It can also be life-changing for those who use it for medical reasons,” says Otto. “I have helped many patients with TMJ pain and excessive grinding that have not been relieved by traditional treatments such as mouth guards.”
Otto recommends starting treatments when fine lines and wrinkles first start to appear when your face is at rest. “It’s much easier to prevent deep wrinkles from forming than to reverse them,” she says. “However, Botox can also help those with deep wrinkles, it just takes longer and often requires other complementary treatments to stimulate collagen and elastin recovery in the skin.”
Average clients seem to be in their 30s, however even getting Botox in their 60s or 70s will reduce lines. it depends on a person’s skin. “It’s never really too late,” says Dee, who started in her late 40s.
Dee acknowledges potential downsides like bruising, though businesses like Glow Medispa use a vein detector that reduces that risk. Another concern can be a droopy brow or eyelid after treatment, though Dee says this is very rare (and another reason to always see an experienced doctor or provider).
Dee stresses the importance of seeing a specialist, experienced person and making sure the venue is legal and legitimate. “If you can only see nurses or beauticians, it’s not legal,” she warns. One should be able to consult with a physician, NP, or PA, and the experience should be professional and supportive. If a place is not operating legitimately, they may be using fake botox, which has sent so many people to the hospital.
Her number one tip: Avoid places that cut corners. That also happens to be the message of Dee’s new memoir and expo, “Medspa Mayhem: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Secrets of the Aesthetics Industry,” out in June.
Dee reiterates that he just wants patients to feel good in their own skin—not to change them or make them different. He says there are other simple steps people can take to prevent collagen loss. “There’s no shame in doing it,” he says. “If you could keep your skin for the next 20 years… wouldn’t you want to do that?”
In the Glow Medispa, we are guided by science and everything we do is informed by the latest information and data available. We do a personalized assessment for each patient and try to bring out your natural beauty.
