What To Know About Chemical Peel 45 >Acne scars, skin tone irregularities, and pigmentation can all be improved with a chemical peel of 45 degrees. This chemical peel is a less aggressive alternative to the standard chemical peel 10. It’s also not as loaded with chemicals as the top 10..
This implies that no more than five layers of skin will be removed at once, which might be quite a shock to the system if you’ve never had anything like this done before. Remember that before deciding to get this done, you should talk to a dermatologist or other qualified medical practitioner.
Chemical peels are chemical products that are applied to the surface of your skin for a few minutes and removed, chemically stripping away the outer layer of dead skin cells. The most common side effects of this procedure include pain, swelling, itching, redness, or a feeling of warmth. Read on to learn more Light Chemical Peel/Can I Use Led Light After Chemical Peel.
What To Know About Chemical Peel 45
We all want radiant and glowing skin no matter what our age. Unfortunately, the passage of time, years spent in the sun, and our genetics can all work against us and that flawless complexion we long for. If you’re ready to do something about the signs of aging and other imperfections you see in the mirror, call Texas Laser and Aesthetics in Austin, TX and find out how chemical peels can help reverse time on your skin.
What Causes Our Skin to Lose Radiance?
When we’re young, we all start out with beautifully radiant skin. We have a large supply of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid: the three major components of young, healthy, and flawless skin.
COLLAGEN
The protein collagen is essentially the building block of skin. It’s strong and fibrous and is packed tightly together in the middle layer of our skin when we’re young, forming a smooth and solid platform. This layer of skin acts as a scaffold for our surface layer of skin to lie on top of. It’s also the perfect place for healthy cell regeneration.
When our collagen is strong and abundant, there are no areas of weakness, so there’s no place for our skin to sag, droop or form wrinkles. When we have plenty of collagen, our skin is:
- Evenly textured
- Smooth and wrinkle-free
- Evenly toned
- Strong and thick
- Bright
ELASTIN
This is another protein that, when plentiful, keeps our skin in place, smooth, and young-looking. As you can guess by the name, elastin keeps our skin elastic and flexible. When we’re young and we make expressions like smiling, our skin immediately snaps back to place when our face returns to a resting position.
Young skin can be pulled, pinched, and manipulated but will still return to its original position. This means gravity can’t even pull it out of place when we have enough elastin.
HYALURONIC ACID
This is a naturally produced sugar that keeps our skin, eyes, and connective tissues hydrated. Each sugar molecule holds 1000 times its weight in water, so when we have plenty of this substance, our skin looks plump, dewy, and supple.
As We Age
As we age, we lose production of all three of our powerhouses of youthful skin. Around the time we turn 20, we lose 1% of collagen production per year. When collagen drops, so do elastin and hyaluronic acid. This causes major structural changes in our skin and it’s not as resilient as it once was.
Though time will deplete us of collagen, there are things we do that increase the loss of this protein even more. The biggest culprit, by far, is the sun. 90% of the damage to our skin is done by the sun. Dermatologists and estheticians agree that the single best investment you can make it your skin is a bottle of sunscreen. Other things to avoid to keep your skin looking young and healthy include:
- Smoking
- A diet high in sugar and processed food
- Long-term unmanaged stress levels
- Lack of sleep
- Not drinking enough water
- Excessive alcohol consumption
WHAT LOSING COLLAGEN DOES
As we get older, that really strong layer of skin weakens. The fibers that were once so tightly packed together become more spread out, so when we smile or make other repeated expressions, those fibers get pushed around. Eventually, they’ll be moved around enough that they form permanent areas of weakness. We no longer have as much elastin holding our skin in place, so wrinkles form.
Places where the foundation of our skin was strong are now riddled with crevices. The older we get, the deeper and longer those crevices become, and so do the wrinkles on the skin on top of them. Underneath we’re also not regenerating cells as quickly as we used to, so sun-damaged cells and uneven skin tone and texture become prevalent.
Solutions
Don’t worry: all hope is not lost. If you’ve been to a medspa or dermatologist’s office recently, you know each offers a menu of solutions for just about any area of concern you might have. Some of our favorite treatments are chemical peels. We like these because they’re one of the most versatile treatments we offer.
What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are a skin resurfacing treatment. They’re designed to remove layers of skin cells to reveal brighter, smoother, and younger-looking skin. We love them because they come in different strengths, so whether you’re looking for a light boost or a deeper rejuvenation, one of our three peels can meet your needs.
There are a lot of questions about chemical peels because there are so many on the market. There are even peels that require general anesthesia and weeks of downtime. We don’t offer the most extreme peels, but we offer treatments that will get you real results and address multiple concerns in one appointment.
How Are Chemical Peels Performed? 7 Things to Know
If you’re considering a chemical peel, just know we’ll work closely with you to decide with is the right peel for your skin and your concerns. There are a few things to know upfront so you can get the most out of your treatment.
#1 CHEMICAL PEELS ADDRESS MULTIPLE CONCERNS
What makes these treatments so popular is how effective they are in multiple areas of concern. We’ll walk you through how a chemical peel can address the issues you’re struggling with. Most peels can address varying degrees of:
- Acne
- Mild scarring
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Uneven skin texture
- Dull complexion
#2 THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS
You’ll choose the level of peel based on your areas of concern and the severity of what you’d like addressed. Our peels feature one or a combination of:
- Glycolic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Lactic acid
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Carbolic acid
Glo and Go
This is our mildest peel and will cause little to no peeling. It takes about 30 minutes, and when you’re done, you’ll have glowing skin. This removes the top layer of dead and dull skin cells, revealing the complexion that was hiding just below.
The Weekend Peel
We can target deeper concerns with this medium strength peel. If you want to tackle fine lines, uneven skin texture, and a dull and drab complexion, this is the peel for you. We call it the weekender because it takes two days or so to see the final results.
The Deep Peel
Our strongest level, this chemical peel is ideal for targeting deeper issues like stubborn pigmentation, acne scarring, and uneven tone and texture. You will see big results from this 45-minute peel. You’ll experience a significant amount of peeling that results in a transformative new complexion.
#3 YOU NEED TO AVOID A FEW THINGS BEFORE TREATMENT
So you get the most out of your treatment, we’ll talk about the things you should avoid before coming in for treatment. Because a chemical peel is a solution applied directly to the skin, you’ll want to have as clear and clean a surface as possible so you get even penetration. Each patient may have different pre-treatment instructions, but in general, we’ll ask that you:
- Avoid sun exposure or tanning beds for two weeks before treatment
- Avoid using any products containing retinoids for two weeks
- Apply any topical products we suggest before treatment
If you develop a cold sore, skin infection, or lesion of any kind, you must call us to reschedule. The skin’s surface must be free of any kind of injury to receive a peel.
#4 WE’LL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE
While the term “chemical peel” doesn’t sound all that comfortable, they are. Depending on the strength you receive, we have different measures to keep you comfortable. Mostly, our clients are kept totally comfortable just from the use of our fan. We will sometimes use cool compresses to just calm the skin down.
When you arrive, we’ll make sure your skin is clean. Once it is, we’ll apply the chemical solution that corresponds to the depth you’ve selected. We may apply a numbing cream, but most of our clients are very comfortable without it. We’ll apply the chemical solution to your face using cotton pads. We’ll allow the peel to work for the designated amount of time, and then we’ll wash it off.
#5 POST CARE IS IMPORTANT
Once we’ve washed the peel off, we’ll apply a soothing serum and protective balm or lotion to your face. The single most important thing you can do is wear sunscreen every single day for two weeks no matter what the weather is. Your skin will be very sensitive to the sun, so this is our number one instruction.
Next, while your skin is peeling, you’ll need to use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer every day. Keeping things gentle will allow your skin to heal the way it should while promoting healthy cell regeneration.
#6 RESULTS ARE IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED
Chemical peels are designed to take layers of skin cells off your complexion. You will immediately see some results. A lot of our clients report their skin is brighter and more vibrant right away. The real results come as your body naturally sheds the dull and dead cells over the following week.
The depth of peel you received will determine the kinds of results you’ll see. Because your body will see this as an injury, though it won’t look or feel like it, it will begin producing more collagen.
Collagen
You already know what this means to the skin and how much younger it can make your skin look. Over the next few weeks, as collagen builds up, you’ll see fine lines fill in, dark spots fade, and color and tone even out. The deeper the peel you’ve gotten, the more collagen produced. In this way, results are delayed but will keep improving over the four weeks after a medium to deep peel.
#7 OTHER TREATMENTS CAN MAKE CHEMICAL PEELS MORE EFFECTIVE
We love pairing a chemical peel with microblading. If you get microblading done first, it removes a very superficial layer of dead skin cells along with all the peach fuzz on your face. This makes everything you put on your skin absorb more easily, including the solution of a chemical peel. Ask us about this and other options that might be a good pre-treatment for a chemical peel.
MAINTENANCE
Once you’ve seen what a chemical peel can do for your skin, we’ll work with you to determine how often you should get them and if you could supplement your results with other treatments. We offer an extensive menu of treatments to solve any skin issues or signs of aging you’re dealing with.
Light Chemical Peel
A light chemical peel is an aesthetic treatment that improves the appearance of the skin by gently stripping away dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. A light chemical peel can also utilize different medical-grade components to correct specific issues such as sun damage or age spots.
Skin Preparation
We recommend arriving to your appointment makeup-free, but if that’s not possible, no worries! Your Dermacare Expert will prep the skin by using a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, moisturizer, oil, or debris before the chemical peel. We use a cream-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, and we may complete an extra cleanse with a glycolic facial cleanser that is gentle, hydrating, anti-aging, and mildly exfoliating.
It’s important to note that chemical peels are the most effective when the least amount of oils are present on the skin, so we take our time to ensure that all makeup, moisturizers, and debris are removed.
Layers of Light Chemical Peels
Our Experts will design a customized treatment plan for you. The plan depends on many things including the season, level of sun damage, presence of melasma, how often you work out, how hydrated you are, etc. We also ask what your skin goals and concerns are so that we can match you with the right treatment plan.
After your skin is fully cleansed and prepped, the first layer of the chemical peel is applied. In the video above, we used a 15% TCA peel, which is great for anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and texture.
If applicable to you, we will add a second or third layer of the peel. Along the way, we’ll ask where the sensation is on a scale of 1-10 (from mild to active to super spicy). This ensures that you’re comfortable. By applying a chemical peel, we’re creating a “controlled injury” to force the skin to create new cells. We’ll never go beyond a 7 on our active scale, which could cause damage that leads to hyperpigmentation and scarring.
For many patients, we may recommend closing the chemical peel appointment with a retinol enhancer cream that travels deep into the skin to encourage cellular turnover. We also like to end the service by offering patients a nice hydrating peptide serum (helps stimulate collagen) for the lips.
What To Expect After Treatment
The light chemical peel will work on your skin for up to 8 hours after the appointment. That means you’ll want to keep it on your skin for the remainder of the day. You can apply makeup over it, but not water because that would reduce the effectiveness. You’ll also want to avoid direct sunlight and any cardiovascular activity for 24-48 hours after treatment.
Expect a little redness after treatment or a bit of skin frosting (whitish discoloration). It’s important to note that “peeling” isn’t a sign that your chemical peel is working and that reactions to light chemical peels can vary from person to person. If you do visibly slough skin, normally that begins about 48 hours after the treatment and continues for a few days. During the sloughing, it is of utmost importance that you do not scrub, pick, or peel the flaking skin, as the premature removal of it can cause hyperpigmentation.
- Botox is used as a therapeutic treatment for many conditions, including for prevention of migraine headaches, and Botox Cosmetic is used for aesthetic purposes to lessen wrinkles like crow’s feet or forehead lines.
- Botox and Botox Cosmetic are prescription medicines that both contain the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA, but they come as separate products.
- Originally when Botox was first approved for wrinkles, doctors found it all also helped patients with migraine headaches. It was eventually approved by the FDA for migraine prevention in 2010.
- Both treatments are given as injections into the muscles of the face, neck or head, depending upon the use. You will need more injections per session for migraine prevention than for wrinkle treatment.
- Botox (for the treatment of chronic migraine) and Botox Cosmetic are for use in adults only.
Learn More: Compare Botox vs Botox Cosmetic
In addition to prevention of chronic migraine headache in adults, Botox is also approved to treat:
- overactive bladder
- leakage of urine (incontinence) in adults with overactive bladder due to neurologic disease
- muscle spasticity
- cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain)
- certain types of eye muscle problems or eyelid spasms
- severe underarm sweating
Botox Cosmetic is approved for adults to temporarily help improve the look of moderate to severe facial wrinkles:
- forehead lines
- crow’s feet lines
- frown lines between the eyebrows.
Botox Cosmetic is supplied in different unit vial sizes from Botox.
- Botox used for migraine comes in 100 and 200 unit single-use vials, while Botox Cosmetic for wrinkles comes in 50 and 100 unit single-use vials.
- Reconstitution and dilution instructions in the package insert vary between these two products.
- Potency Units of Botox Cosmetic or Botox are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products.
Botox dose for migraine: The recommended total dose for chronic migraine is 155 Units, as 0.1 mL (5 Units) injections per each site divided across 7 head/neck muscle areas, for a total of 31 individual injections. These areas include the forehead, bridge of the nose, the temples, the neck, the back of the head, and just above the shoulder blades in your upper back.
Botox Cosmetic dose for wrinkles: The recommended dose for wrinkles varies based on wrinkle type and typically ranges from 20 to 24 units per wrinkle area. The units per injection site will vary by patient and can be determined by a qualified injector for optimal results.
Can I get Botox and Botox Cosmetic at the same time?
Yes, you can receive Botox and Botox Cosmetic for different uses at the same time as long as the total dose received of onabotulinumtoxinA does not exceed 400 Units administered in a 3 month period for adults.
You may also receive Botox Cosmetic treatment for treatment of different wrinkle areas at the same time. It is not known if Botox Cosmetic is safe and effective for use more than once every 3 months.
The dilution and the resulting units per 0.1 mL (as noted in the package insert) are different between Botox and Botox Cosmetic. Health care providers should see the specific instructions for reconstitution and administration of each product.
Warnings: Botox and Botox Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can happen hours, days, or weeks after an injection and can be life threatening. These include:
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- Spread of toxin effects (leading to symptoms of a serious condition called botulism)
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems after treatment.
According to the manufacturer, there has NOT been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when Botox has been used at the recommended dose to treat chronic migraine or when Botox Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat approved wrinkle areas.
What are Botox or Botox Cosmetic side effects?
- dry mouth
- discomfort or pain at the injection site
- tiredness
- headache
- neck pain
- eye problem
- drooping eyebrow
- urinary tract infection and painful urination
- inability to empty your bladder
- allergic reaction
- upper respiratory tract infection
Review these warnings and side effects in this Medication Guide for Botox and Botox Cosmetic. Tell your doctor if you have a side effect that does not go away or that concerns you.
Bottom Line
- Botox Cosmetic is used for aesthetic purposes for wrinkles and Botox is used as a therapeutic treatment for many medical conditions, including migraine headache prevention.
- Botox Cosmetic and Botox come as separate products but are both prescription medicines that contain the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA.
- The number of injections needed for migraine prevention are more than the number needed for wrinkle treatment.
- Both products are given as injections into the muscles of the face, neck or head, depending upon the use. You can receive both products as long as the total amount does not exceed 400 Units administered in a 3 month period for adults.
This is not all the information you need to know about Botox or Botox Cosmetic for safe and effective use for migraine. Review the full Botox or Botox Cosmetic information here, and discuss this information and questions with your doctor or other healthcare provider.
How to qualify for botox for migraines
I’ve suffered from migraine headaches since I was in my early teens. Over the years, I’ve missed out on much-anticipated trips, concerts, and family parties as I lay in bed with my head throbbing and the lights off. Migraine makes it nearly impossible to plan in advance and turns you into a flaky friend, which takes a toll on your relationships.
I thought I had tried everything-Advil, beta-blockers, Topamax-but none of them gave me the results I was looking for. Then a few years ago, my neurologist suggested I try Botox to manage my migraines. I knew about the drug’s wrinkle-reducing effects (I watch the Real Housewives franchises and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, after all), but I didn’t know that the same drug is a well-regarded preventative treatment for chronic migraine.
Admittedly I was hesitant about getting dozens of shots injected into my head, neck, and shoulders on a regular basis, but my misery made me open to trying it. Despite my initial concerns, Botox shots have completely changed how I control my migraine attacks. Though I’m still good for one or two migraines each month, Botox has drastically reduced the frequency of these attacks.
Can I Use Led Light After Chemical Peel
the healing properties of the LED Light increases your skin’s ability to recover post-peel whilst calming and reducing redness. LED Light Therapy helps to rejuvenate as well as encourages collagen production and cellular repair.
Peels can improve the appearance of your skin making it look healthy, vibrant and fresh.
If you have any of the following concerns, you could be a candidate for a peel:
Dry skin
Oily skin
Acne
Acne scarring
Lines and wrinkles
Pigmentation, redness & rosacea
Sun damage
Dull or lifeless skin
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
On arrival, you will fill out a quick questionnaire form. This form will outline your past/current skin conditions and other relevant medical histories.
As the machine needs to check your entire body, it is important that it is able to examine your skin without any impediments.
So we request that you please have:
- No Makeup
- No Moisturiser
- No Sunscreen.
If you’re a fellow member of the migraine club, please accept my sympathy, and then read up on these must-know points about Botox for chronic migraine.
The 14 Different Kinds Of Headaches You Can Get-And How To Treat Each One
Most people believe a migraine is just a bad headache, but it can be more than that. According to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), a migraine (sometimes just referred to as “migraine”) is a “disabling neurological disease with different symptoms and different treatment approaches compared to other headache disorders.”
It’s also important to note that, while some headaches can be the cause of underlying conditions (those are known as secondary headaches), migraines are usually their own thing. “Migraine is the most common primary headache disorder, which means that it’s not happening because of a tumor or an infection. It’s just how your brain is wired,” Umer Najib, MD, a board-certified neurologist and the director of the headache medicine fellowship program at West Virginia University, tells Health.
“Pain is often the predominant symptom, though many patients have other symptoms that can actually be more bothersome than the pain itself,” says Dr. Najib. Ferhad Bashir, MD, a neurologist with Mischer Neuroscience Center at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center in Texas, goes a step further: “It’s a state of misery,” he tells Health. “During that time period, you’re not yourself. If you’re at work, you can’t produce at your optimum level. If you’re a parent, you can’t enjoy time with your kids.”
Those additional symptoms, aside from often disabling pain, include:
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or strong smells
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive Fatigue
- Language, speech, or balance problems
- Visual disturbances, like seeing zig zags, flashes of light, or blind spots.
It’s not entirely clear what causes migraine, though researchers believe that there’s a genetic component to the neurological condition, according to the US National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus resource. But the condition-which affects more than 37 million people in the US alone-is thought to have quite a few triggers, including stress, anxiety, caffeine (or caffeine withdrawal), and certain medications.
Migraine is also about three times more common in women, per the AMF, which points to a possible connection to fluctuating hormones. “For a lot of women with migraine, menses can trigger an attack,” Megan Donnelly, DO, a board-certified headache specialist and neurologist, and the director of headache and women’s neurology at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, tells Health. “We also have changes in migraine frequency in pregnancy and postpartum, as well as related to perimenopause.”
There’s no cure for migraines, per MedlinePlus. Instead, treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing or lessening future attacks through a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. This, in some cases, is where Botox-aka Onabotulinumtoxin A or Botox A-comes into play.
5 Women on What It Really Feels Like to Have a Migraine
How does Botox for help migraine?
Botox is a preventative therapy for migraine, meaning that it can reduce the frequency of migraine, but it won’t stop one once it’s begun. Though Botox has been an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraine for more than a decade, per the AMF, the science behind how it battles the disease is still a bit of a mystery.
Technically speaking, the AMF says that Botox is injected into the pain fibers in the head, neck, and back that are involved in headaches. That Botox then blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission, which then prevents activation of pain networks the brain.
Why Botox works in this way, however, is still not well understood. “We have animal data that shows that Botox causes a change in a certain type of calcium channel in the meninges, which is the covering of the brain as well as the critical part of the migraine process,” says Dr. Najib. “We think that’s how it suppresses migraine.”
Despite Botox’s efficacy (patients reported that two rounds of shots reduced their headache days by roughly 50 percent, per the AMF), Dr. Najib notes that the drug isn’t a cure-all. “As long as the disease is still active, you’ll have breakthrough headaches,” he says.
Because of that, some patients find that they need another preventative treatment, like an oral medication, in addition to their shots. It’s also common to need a rescue drug, and the risk of drug interaction is minimal.
Choosing a treatment of preventative method for migraine is a highly personal choice that should be done in close contact with your doctor. Here’s more of what I learned about Botox and migraine during my own journey-and what I want those considering the treatment to know.
This Explains Why You Want to Crawl Into a Dark Closet When You Have a Migraine
It’s only approved for chronic migraine
Botox is FDA-approved to treat chronic migraine in adults, which is defined as more than 15 migraine days per month. It’s not approved for other kinds of headaches, like tension or cluster, nor is it approved for children or adolescents (if it’s used for them, it’s considered “off-label use”).
You’ll have to get dozens of shots
Though migraine symptoms vary from person to person, Botox for migraine is standardized. Every three months you’ll receive 31 shots (yes, you read that correctly) totaling up to 155 units of Botox. This includes injections in specific spots in the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck, upper back, and shoulders.
If you’ve got a particular concern, like muscle spasticity or tightness in the shoulders, your provider may adjust the shot pattern to tackle that specific issue.
If Botox is working for you, there’s no known health risk associated with staying on it indefinitely, though it’s not approved for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of minimal studies in these groups.
The risk of side effects is low
“Botox injections can occasionally trigger a headache, muscle weakness and neck pain, but this is rare,” Kerry Knievel, DO, director of the Jan & Tom Lewis Migraine Treatment Program at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, tells Health. “Eyelid and eyebrow asymmetry and droop can happen, but to prevent this we recommend that patients refrain from rubbing their foreheads or wearing a hat for 24 hours after their injections to prevent the Botox from spreading from the area we intend for it to be.”
In fact, Botox’s limited side effects are part of its appeal. “It’s not addicting. You don’t have to take a pill every day. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it does work for a significant amount of people. That’s why Botox is amazing,” says Dr. Bashir.
Your insurance may or may not cover it
Because it’s an FDA-approved treatment, your health insurance may cover all or most of the cost of Botox, though this depends on your specific plan. The drug manufacturer also offers a savings program that can help offset some of the expense.
To get approval, your insurance company may want to see that you’ve “failed” on two or three oral preventatives first. You may also need to keep a headache diary (I track mine in a note on my phone) that shows you’re having 15 or more headache days per month.
Once you’ve started the shots, your insurance will probably require documentation of improvement to continue paying for the treatment. Depending on your plan, you may also need to come for a follow-up visit between shots.
Note, however, that if Botox is used as an off-label treatment (meaning it’s used in a way not approved by the FDA, like in children or adolescents), insurance companies may not cover it, per the AMF.
It can take several months to see results
If you don’t experience relief from migraine right away, don’t swear off the treatment immediately. Dr. Najib recommends trying two rounds of Botox before making a decision about whether it’s working for you. Even if the treatment ends up helping after the first round, he says results typically take two to four weeks to kick in. There’s no taper required to discontinue the treatment.
It’s a little different than the Botox you receive from your esthetician
Though the same drug is used for both migraine prevention and cosmetic purposes, the amount and placement of Botox varies depending on your goals.
You may find some level of relief when you get Botox for cosmetic purposes. However, when you receive Botox from an esthetician, you’re not getting injections in the same spots as you would in a doctor’s office. This means you’ll miss the drug’s full migraine-busting effect.
You can technically get Botox for migraine and for cosmetic reasons at the same time-but you may not want to
This is where it gets a little murky, and opinions vary depending on who you ask. The manufacturer of Botox recommends not exceeding 400 units in a three-month span. Since your neurologist will administer 155 units, technically you have wiggle room if you want to visit an esthetician for Botox, too. However, this can be problematic.
“There is a theoretical risk of developing antibodies to Botox if it’s given more frequently,” explains Dr. Donnelly. If you’d like to do both, it’s best to check with your provider before booking an appointment with your esthetician.
Overall, if you’re finding yourself planning your life around your migraines, you may want to make it a point to chat with your doctor about using this multitasking drug to reduce the frequency of the attacks. I know doing so has drastically changed my life-and it might help you, too.