BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most-performed cosmetic procedure in the world — and for very good reason. Done well, it's safe, predictable, and genuinely transformative. Done poorly, it's the source of every "frozen face" cliché you've ever rolled your eyes at. At Remedy+ Hair Restoration & Medical Spa in Grand Rapids, Michigan, master injector Terry Selgo, RN has been administering BOTOX® for over 21 years and is on faculty with the Allergan Medical Institute. This guide is everything we wish every patient knew before their first treatment.
The Hook: Refreshed, Not Frozen
The biggest misconception about BOTOX® is that it has to look obvious. It doesn't. The best BOTOX® looks like nothing at all — except that you suddenly look like you slept eight hours, drank a gallon of water, and came back from vacation. That's not magic. That's careful, conservative dosing in the hands of a master injector.
What Is BOTOX® Cosmetic, Exactly?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, manufactured by Allergan and FDA-approved since 2002 for the temporary improvement of moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles. It works by temporarily relaxing the small facial muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles — the lines that appear when you frown, squint, or raise your brows.
It's the most-studied neuromodulator in the world, with decades of safety data backing its cosmetic and medical use.
How BOTOX® Actually Works
When you make a facial expression, your brain sends a signal through nerves to your facial muscles. BOTOX® temporarily blocks that signal at the nerve-muscle junction, so the muscle doesn't fully contract. Less contraction means less folding of the overlying skin — and that means less visible wrinkling, both now and over time.
Importantly: BOTOX® doesn't paralyze your face. Properly dosed, it softens muscle activity while preserving natural expression. You can still smile, laugh, look surprised, and look like you.
The Most Common BOTOX® Treatment Areas
Forehead Lines
Horizontal lines across the forehead from raising your brows. One of the most common — and most over-treated — areas. Conservative dosing here is essential to avoid a heavy or dropped-brow look.
Glabellar Lines (the "11s")
The vertical frown lines between the brows. This is the original FDA-approved area and remains one of the most rewarding to treat.
Crow's Feet
The fan of fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes that appear when you smile. A few well-placed units soften them dramatically while preserving your smile's character.
Bunny Lines
The wrinkles that appear on the sides of the nose when you scrunch.
Lip Flip
A few tiny units at the upper lip border slightly evert the lip, creating the illusion of a fuller, more upturned mouth — without filler.
Masseter (Jaw Slimming / TMJ Relief)
Larger doses placed in the masseter muscles can soften a square jawline and dramatically reduce TMJ-related clenching, jaw pain, and headaches.
Neck Bands and Mentalis (Chin Dimpling)
Subtle but effective for vertical platysmal bands and a "pebbled" or dimpled chin appearance.
Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
BOTOX® is FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating and is life-changing for those affected.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
A typical BOTOX® visit at Remedy+ takes 15–30 minutes:
- Consultation: We assess your facial anatomy at rest and in motion, discuss your goals, and recommend a dosing plan
- Cleansing: The treatment areas are cleaned thoroughly
- Injection: Tiny needles deliver precisely measured units into specific muscles. Most patients describe it as quick pinches
- Aftercare instructions: No lying flat for 4 hours, no heavy exercise for 24 hours, no facial massages or facials for 24 hours
You can drive yourself home and return to work immediately. There's no real downtime.
When You'll See Results
- Day 2–3: First subtle softening becomes noticeable
- Day 7: About 80% of the result is visible
- Day 10–14: Final result fully settled
- Month 3–4: Most patients return for maintenance as muscle activity gradually returns
How Long Does BOTOX® Last?
For most patients, BOTOX® lasts 3–4 months. With consistent treatment over 1–2 years, many people find their results last longer because the targeted muscles weaken and they form fewer dynamic lines. Lifestyle factors — exercise intensity, metabolism, sun exposure — also influence longevity.
What Does BOTOX® Cost?
BOTOX® at Remedy+ is priced per unit — the standard, transparent way reputable providers charge. Different areas require different unit counts; for example:
- Glabella ("11s"): typically 20–25 units
- Forehead: typically 8–20 units
- Crow's feet: 12–24 units total (both sides)
- Lip flip: 4–6 units
- Masseter: 25–50 units per side
Beware of clinics offering bargain-basement per-unit pricing — it usually means diluted product or rushed appointments. Quality, training, and product authenticity always matter more than the cheapest deal.
Is BOTOX® Safe?
BOTOX® is one of the most extensively studied medications in the world, with over two decades of cosmetic use and even longer use in medical applications (chronic migraine, cervical dystonia, severe muscle spasticity, and more). Side effects are uncommon and almost always mild and temporary:
- Tiny injection-site bruising
- Mild headache (usually resolves within 24 hours)
- Temporary asymmetry that resolves on its own or with a small touch-up
- Very rarely: temporary brow or eyelid heaviness if BOTOX® migrates — minimized by experienced injectors and proper aftercare
Preventative Botox & "Baby Botox"
Patients in their late 20s and early 30s are increasingly choosing low-dose preventative BOTOX® — sometimes called "baby Botox" — to soften early dynamic lines before they become etched-in static wrinkles. The strategy works: lines that aren't repeatedly folded into the skin are far less likely to become permanent.
Preventative dosing is conservative, looks completely natural, and pays dividends for decades.
BOTOX® vs. Dysport, Xeomin, Daxxify, and Letybo
Several FDA-approved neuromodulators are now on the market. They're more similar than different, and the right one depends on your goals and how your body responds:
- BOTOX® — the gold standard; longest track record
- Dysport® — slightly faster onset; tends to spread a bit more, useful in larger areas like the forehead
- Xeomin® — "naked" formulation without accessory proteins
- Daxxify® — newer; can last 6+ months in some patients
- Letybo® — newer entrant with strong global track record
At Remedy+, we offer multiple options and help you choose what fits your anatomy, response, and budget.
Can BOTOX® Be Combined with Filler, Skinvive, and Skin Treatments?
Yes — and combination treatment plans nearly always look better than any one treatment alone. Common pairings:
- BOTOX® + dermal filler — relax the muscles that create lines, then restore lost volume around them
- BOTOX® + SKINVIVE — soften dynamic lines and enhance overall skin smoothness and hydration
- BOTOX® + microneedling or chemical peels — improve surface texture and tone alongside muscle relaxation
- BOTOX® + HydraFacial — deep cleansing and exfoliation prior to or after injectables
Who Is Not a Candidate?
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
- Those with certain neuromuscular disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton, ALS)
- People with active infection at planned injection sites
- Anyone with known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin
Why Remedy+ for BOTOX® in Grand Rapids?
- Master injector with 21+ years of experience: Terry Selgo, RN — Allergan Medical Institute Faculty & Trainer
- Allergan Aesthetics Top Growth Achievement Award winner — one of only ten practices in Michigan
- Authentic, refrigerated, properly handled product — every vial
- Conservative, natural-result philosophy
- Allē rewards program — earn points on every BOTOX® treatment
- Convenient Grand Rapids and Canadian Lakes locations
Ready to Look Refreshed?
BOTOX® doesn't change who you are — it changes how rested, calm, and confident you look. Book your BOTOX® consultation with Terry Selgo, RN at Remedy+ in Grand Rapids today, or call (616) 355-1552. We'll design a plan that's perfectly calibrated to your face, your anatomy, and your goals.