Botox can be used in many areas to treat a variety of cosmetic and non-cosmetic concerns.

Botox has many functional applications, such as the treatment of the spasticity of muscles in cerebral palsy patients and the treatment of “blepharospasm” (involuntary closing of the eyes) which prevents many daily activities including driving. Botox also has a wide variety of applications in the cosmetic field.

Botox is not just for frown lines and crow’s feet. Botox is commonly used to “sculpt” facial features! For example, shaping the brow, lifting the lip border, correcting a “gummy smile,” preventing or treating a “dimply or bumpy chin,” decreasing the fullness of the masseter “muscle bulge” in patients who grind their teeth at night, and improving the neckline, vertical lip lines, forehead creases and lines, or “bunny” lines around the nose.

Lifting the corners of the mouth, sharpening the chin to neck angle and improving the texture of the skin, decreasing pole size, or aiding in the healing of scars are advanced uses of Botox which are not well-known or fully appreciated. Xeomin and Dysport are also effective neuromodulators like Botox.

Dr. Short now prefers to do a full set of Botox “baseline” pictures so that more areas of potential Botox treatment can be evaluated and assessed for the future.

It’s extremely helpful (just like a baseline mammogram) to have animated pictures from years before to review and use for comparison in the future when different concerns may arise.

These pictures, both the baseline and the before and after pictures we take at the Gillian Institute and Gillian Med Spa, help us to evaluate more accurately the treatments you receive. The photos also allow us to customize our approach to provide our patients with not only the best and most individualized results we can achieve, but also the most cost-effective results.

Although we can’t be perfect, we strive to continue learning the art of Botox and filler injections to maximize the results of our patients. We are dedicated to the consistent pursuit of new applications and advances to keep us on the “injecting edge”.

We are excited to have exceptional non-surgical options to offer patients who are not ready to entertain surgical options. We will continue to diligently evaluate results and pictures so that we improve our skills and provide our patients with the highest standard of non-surgical rejuvenation options and treatments that are available. We will remain loyal to the pursuit of the highest quality service and results possible and to a detailed and perfectionist approach. “Average” is not in our vocabulary.

Our patients do not always understand the intricacies of non-surgical rejuvenation with Botox and filler injections. They may not always appreciate the importance of appropriate evaluation to determine the best options and recommendations.

They may not appreciate that Botox injections may be performed by a variety of providers. These providers have no real obligation other than their own ethics and integrity to complete training or certification to be able to do injections.

They may or may not be trained by an experienced injector. They can be nurses, dentists, aestheticians, general practitioners, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, etc. They may or may not have a thorough understanding of facial anatomy and the effect of Botox on the various muscles. They may or may not know how to prevent or treat the rare but potential complications that could result from Botox or fillers.

There is no single standard or certification or test that all providers must pass to demonstrate their proficiency or even basic ability to perform injections of Botox or fillers.

So the “burden” is ultimately on the patient to find an injector who applies a safe, knowledgeable, and thoughtful approach.

A provider or injector who does not ask for pictures or does not make notes and diagrams regarding treatments may not appreciate the importance of the accurate placement of Botox or the style and techniques used for filler injections to achieve not only the best results, but the most cost-effective results. It is critical to evaluate pictures, diagrams, and results to maximize treatment efforts and success and minimize complications or side effects.

We don’t want to rely on the drift of the Botox to achieve the desired effect because that effect will be weaker and shorter-acting than exact placement for maximum effect at the desired site. Meticulous placement will result in the greatest amount of Botox in the area needed to give the most complete effect for the longest amount of time.

Mastering in injectables is truly an art and a skill which perpetually evolves and changes. Expertise in this field demands diligence in evaluation, analysis of results and a meticulous detail-oriented approach.

It is for this reason that Dr. Short requires her staff to analyze pictures, study their results, chart and diagram in a detailed fashion, attend meetings, conferences, and services to advance and refine their skills and dedicate themselves to the pursuit of excellence.

We hope that is your experience at our office and if in any way you are not satisfied, please don’t hesitate to relay your questions or concerns.