Painless Neurotoxin Injection Method? Join the Discussion!

What injection methods are most useful and reliable for neurotoxin injections: Botox & Dysport.

I have been in clinical private practice going on 14 years now and enjoy a busy and healthy cosmetic surgery practice.  Injectables, both fillers and neurotoxins, remain an integral part of my practice and I suppose that the loyalty my patients show by continuing to return to me as their injection provider is testament that my skills must be competitive with the many other local physicians who offer the same procedures.  I definitely do not price cut to keep the volume or attract new patients, and I believe I price fairly taking into consideration both my training and experience with typical pricing in my area by "mainstream" cosmetic providers.

I continue to strive to offer the least painful experience for my patients and have tried multiple different methods to decrease the degree of injection discomfort for my patients.  From topical anesthetics, icing, slow injection delivery, and currently vibration-distraction techniques, I have yet to find the WOW approach. I do use lidocaine-treated fillers and believe that these have advanced our patients' injection experience to an appreciable degree.

My intent for this entry is to stimulate a healthy community discussion on what methods the readers have found useful and reliable for neurotoxin injections (to keep this discussion focused I am not encouraging discourse on filler injections but perhaps this can be a future topic of discussion), in addition to disregarding any approach that they have found particularly not beneficial.  We all want to make our injections as easy as possible for our patients, so I am hopeful that this topic can generate healthy dialogue!

Botox & The "Spock" Look

Botox + fillers that make your patients look like Vulcans?

The clinical and cosmetic uses of neurotoxins continue to grow. Botox, perhaps after aesthetician visits, are often the first procedure consumers consider. It is very common for patients to tell me that they have been considering Botox treatments for 3 to 5 years. We frequently see these patients pleased with there Botox treatments and then very interested in fillers, non-invasive body contouring, and often surgical procedures. However, what quickly interrupts this transition to other services is a result from neurotoxins that looks unnatural.

In our practice, we have increased patient retention and satisfaction after their initial Botox treatment by reviewing with them possible outcomes. Patients will often complain about a quizzical or "Spock" look after glabellar and sometimes forehead injections. I am still surprised that patients are not told of this and that there is a simple remedy. As most practioners know, 2-4 units additional neurotoxin at or just above the over arched area will soften the arch of the eyebrow.  A follow-up call/visit or just good instructions to the patient can turn a dissatisfied patient into a lifelong member and proponent of your practice.