Who’s the best doctor for Botox injections?

Botox, Dysport, and injectable fillers are one of the biggest anti-aging advances, well, ever, and even though there’s little risk and downtime involved, these treatments are not to be taken lightly—especially when it comes to selecting a doctor. Every day I see advertisements for general practitioners, gynecologists, dentists, and other such specialists offering these services at their practices, and all I can say is buyer beware.

Even if these doctors provide lower prices, you are putting your appearance (and potentially your life) at risk simply because they are not trained in the aesthetics and the anatomy of the skin and muscles that are effected by Botox and injectable fillers. Even more, beyond knowing where and how to inject these products, it’s essential to know when not to inject. But perhaps the most important thing to know is that there’s an artistic aspect to using injectables, and it’s imperative that the doctor have enough experience with the anatomy of the face to know where and how to inject.

So what can go wrong if you choose the wrong provider for injectable treatments? In the case of Botox and Dysport, injecting it in the wrong place can lead to drooping of the eyelids or impairment of other muscles surrounding the treated areas. When fillers are used improperly, you can look deformed or unnatural. There are also very unscrupulous doctors who may say they are using one product and in fact be using another. Whether they are using unapproved products from another country or a substance that’s not intended for use on or in human bodies, the results can be disastrous.

There are a few steps you can take to ensure optimal, beautiful results from injectable treatments. Go to a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon who has at lease five years of experience with injectables. These are the ONLY specialists trained in the anatomy of the skin and facial musculature. (You’re not going to a dermatologist for a Pap smear, are you?) To find a dermatologist near you, you can visit aad.org—and since patient safety is of utmost importance, you can even email me at DrB@derm.net and I can recommend a doctor I trust.

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