Who administers Botox© at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery?

Dr. Jeffrey Harmon administers all Botox© himself. Dr. Harmon has the detailed understanding of facial anatomy and the experience as a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon to provide the safest, most effective treatment.

What type of anesthesia is required?

Botox© administration is generally minimally painful and usually requires no anesthesia. Some individuals may require topical anesthesia, however.

How long does Botox© last?

Botox© generally lasts 3 to 4 months. However, there are rare instances where treatment can last less than 3 months or longer than 4 months.

Can Botox© treat all wrinkles anywhere in my face and neck?

No. Botox© can be used to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, or those wrinkles that become more prominent with movement of the facial musculature. More superficial, static wrinkles that exist at rest and are due to changes in the skin are best treated with laser resurfacing. Botox© can be used to treat dynamic wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows (eleven lines) and on the sides of the eye (crow’s feet). However, Dr. Harmon does not use it to treat wrinkles around the mouth (smoker’s lines), under the eyes, or in the neck.

Can regular treatment with Botox© prevent the formation of wrinkles?

While a reasonable idea, there is currently no clinical evidence that early treatment with Botox© prevents the formation of wrinkles.

Can men benefit from Botox©?

Absolutely, men can benefit from Botox© placed in the same locations as women. In fact, men tend to develop much stronger, coarser wrinkles with age. Botox© can be an excellent option to treat these wrinkles.

Is Botox© a common treatment?

Yes, Botox© is a common non-surgical treatment. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) release statistics each year that provide insight into the state of plastic surgery around the world. ISAPS reported botulinum toxin was administered 1,477,000 times in the United States in 2020.

Botox©

Derived from a naturally occurring substance and synthesized in a highly regulated environment, Botox© treats dynamic wrinkles which develop on the face from constant muscle use. Well-studied and widely used, it can safely and effectively treat dynamic wrinkles at the frown lines between the eyebrows, the crows feet along the side of the eyes and on the forehead. Botox© can also be placed under the eyebrows to provide a temporary lateral temporal brow lift and in the cheeks to slim the face. The treatment relaxes muscles, thereby softening and smoothing the face. And, when performed properly, the treatment can reduce the harsh contraction of the muscles while still preserving the expressive range of the face. This treatment takes effect approximately 3 to 7 days after injection and its effects last approximately 3 to 4 months. It is potentially beneficial for women and men from their 20s to their 80s with little-to-no pain or downtime. It is important to note that while this treatment treats deep, dynamic wrinkles, other interventions may be more appropriate for static, thin, shallow wrinkles that occur secondary to oxidative stresses on the skin, such as chronic sun exposure. That is why it is very important to consult with a specialist in facial plastic surgery to help determine the most appropriate approach.

Am I a good candidate?

Coarse wrinkling of the forehead, between the eyebrows (eleven lines), and/or around the eyes (crow's feet) can worsen as we age. Botox© can address these areas of concern.

Most candidates for Botox© range in age from 20s to 70s. A consultation is essential to determine candidacy for the procedure, because there may be factors that preclude this procedure for certain individuals. Reasonable expectations must be established about what Botox© can and cannot accomplish as with all plastic surgery procedures.

Expected recovery

Recovery from Botox© treatment is generally minimal and always specific to the individual. The duration of recovery will vary from person to person. There are no incisions made with the injection of Botox©. The effects of Botox© usually start approximately 3 to 5 days after injection. The maximum effect of Botox© is usually reached approximately 2 weeks after injection.

There is typically no swelling with the injection of Botox©. There is typically no-to-minimal bruising with the injection of Botox©. Any bruising typically resolves in 5 to 7 days.

What to expect in a consultation

Expect a detailed, informative conversation with Dr. Harmon about your concerns and aesthetic goals regarding your face. He will assess your anatomy and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your concerns and aesthetic goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers Botox© at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery?: Dr. Jeffrey Harmon administers all Botox© himself. Dr. Harmon has the detailed understanding of facial anatomy and the experience as a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon to provide the safest, most effective treatment.
What type of anesthesia is required?: Botox© administration is generally minimally painful and usually requires no anesthesia. Some individuals may require topical anesthesia, however.
How long does Botox© last?: Botox© generally lasts 3 to 4 months. However, there are rare instances where treatment can last less than 3 months or longer than 4 months.
Can Botox© treat all wrinkles anywhere in my face and neck?: No. Botox© can be used to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, or those wrinkles that become more prominent with movement of the facial musculature. More superficial, static wrinkles that exist at rest and are due to changes in the skin are best treated with laser resurfacing. Botox© can be used to treat dynamic wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows (eleven lines) and on the sides of the eye (crow’s feet). However, Dr. Harmon does not use it to treat wrinkles around the mouth (smoker’s lines), under the eyes, or in the neck.
Can regular treatment with Botox© prevent the formation of wrinkles?: While a reasonable idea, there is currently no clinical evidence that early treatment with Botox© prevents the formation of wrinkles.
Can men benefit from Botox©?: Absolutely, men can benefit from Botox© placed in the same locations as women. In fact, men tend to develop much stronger, coarser wrinkles with age. Botox© can be an excellent option to treat these wrinkles.
What areas of the face does Dr. Jeffrey Harmon treat with Botox©?: Dr. Harmon treats the forehead, glabella (i.e., eleven lines, frown lines), crow’s feet, bunny lines, mentalis muscle (i.e., chin dimples), masseter muscles (i.e., jawline) and underarms (for excessive sweating) with Botox©. He performs all Botox© injections himself.
What areas of the face will Dr. Jeffrey Harmon NOT treat with Botox©?: Dr. Harmon will NOT treat the upper lip (i.e., lip flip) or the lower eyelids with Botox©. This is due to the risk of causing functional problems to the mouth and eyelids, respectively.
Can Treatment with Botox© Give Me a Brow Lift?: Yes, treatment with Botox© can lift the eyebrows beautifully, though not as effectively as a surgical brow lift. The effects are also temporary, lasting only as long as the medication lasts. The mechanism by which Botox© treatment results in a brow lift is counterintuitive. Unlike a surgical brow lift, in which the brows are lifted and secured from above, a brow lift using Botox© weakens the muscles below the eyebrows that pull the eyebrows down. There is a common misconception that treating the forehead with Botox© results in a non-surgical brow lift. In fact, treatment of the crow’s feet and frown lines between the eyebrows results in a non-surgical brow lift, because muscles in these locations function as the brow depressors.
What is “traptox” and is it worthwhile?: “Traptox” is an abbreviation for the non-surgical procedure whereby Botox® or a similar product are injected into the trapezius muscles. The trapezius muscles are paired triangular-shaped muscles that extend across the back of the neck, shoulders, and back. They help control movement of the neck and shoulder blades. The term “traptox” has been widely circulated on social media. In fact, it is one of the most common locations to inject Botox® or a similar product in South Korea, where it was pioneered – see the blog for additional information on facial plastic surgery in South Korea. The purpose is to create the appearance of a longer neck. We at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery do not recommend injecting Botox® or a similar product in this location. This is because the trapezius muscles are essential to maintaining stability of the neck and shoulders. Weakness of these muscles can lead to neck and shoulder pain. For example, patients with head and neck cancer sometimes require removal of the nerve that controls movement of this muscle. A non-functional trapezius muscle can lead to debilitating shoulder pain in such a case.
What is "jelly roll" Botox© and is it worthwhile?: "Jelly roll" Botox© refers to placing Botox© or similar medications in the lower eyelid in an area of a muscle, called the orbicularis oculi, that helps close the eye by lifting the lower eyelid. It is intended to reduce the bunching that can occur in some individuals with active muscle movement at this location. The term "jelly roll" Botox© has been used widely on social media. It is a treatment that is off-label for Botox© and other medications as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. We at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery do not offer treatment of this location with Botox©, because weaking of the muscle at the lower eyelid can limit eyelid closure and temporarily change the shape of the lower eyelids. The potential problems associated with these changes include, but are not limited to, dry eyes and vision changes.
Is Botox© a common treatment?: Yes, Botox© is a common non-surgical treatment. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) release statistics each year that provide insight into the state of plastic surgery around the world. ISAPS reported botulinum toxin was administered 1,477,000 times in the United States in 2020.

Why Choose Dr. Harmon

The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good.
Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected.
Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology.
Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City.
Dr. Harmon posts frequently and covers a wide range of topics, including procedure-specific information, volunteering, general health, and much more. Read more from Dr. Harmon by visiting his blog.
Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery can be reached here.

Additional Reading

Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute direct medical advice. Moreover, this page should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice. It is essential that you have a consultation with a qualified medical provider prior to considering any treatment in order to determine whether you are a candidate for treatment. This will also allow you the opportunity to discuss any potential benefits, risks, and alternatives to the treatment. In addition, some treatments and statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Other treatments may be used off-label as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. Specific information on whether a treatment is considered off-label by the Food and Drug Administration can be obtained at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery.