As the Medical Director of Ziba Medical Spa in Eugene and President of the national plastic surgery organization The Aesthetic Society, Dr. Kiya Movassaghi is one of the country’s top experts in Botox® and other medical spa treatments. We recently gave our Instagram followers the chance to submit their questions about Botox, and below, we are sharing Dr. Movassaghi’s answers!
What is the best age to start Botox treatments?
The best age to start considering Botox treatments really depends on your individual skin and cosmetic goals. Generally, I recommend patients start thinking about Botox in their late 20s to early 30s, or when they first begin to notice fine lines or wrinkles forming around the eyes, forehead, and between the brows (the so-called “11s”).
These are areas where repetitive muscle movements can start to create wrinkles, and by starting Botox treatments early, you can help prevent those lines from becoming deeper over time. Botox lasts about 3-4 months for most people, so it is a relatively low-maintenance way to slow the facial aging process.
However, Botox is highly individualized—some may benefit from starting earlier or later based on their skin type, sun exposure, and lifestyle factors. The best way to determine if you are ready is to schedule a consultation with our nurse injector, Karen; our Physician Assistant injector, Janna; or myself.
I’ve always been curious about the difference between Botox and fillers, can you explain?
Botox and dermal fillers fulfill different needs in facial rejuvenation. Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles—those lines that form from repeated facial expressions, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. It prevents these muscles from contracting fully for several months, and thus allows the wrinkles on the skin’s surface to soften. It can even prevent them from forming if performed regularly.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are used to restore lost volume in patients who are seeing their facial features thinning with age; smooth static wrinkles, like those that become etched around the mouth; and enhance facial contours. Static wrinkles are those lines and folds that are present even when your face is at rest, often due to aging, gravity, and the natural loss of collagen and fat. We frequently use fillers to plump areas like the cheeks, lips, and the hollows under the eyes, and it can also be used to define the jawline or fill in deeper folds like nasolabial folds.
In essence, Botox addresses wrinkles caused by muscle movement, while fillers target areas where volume loss and deeper lines are the main concerns. Both are often used together.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about Botox?
Botox has been FDA-approved and in use for many years; in 2023 alone, over 9 million treatments with Botox and equivalent neuromodulators (like Dysport®) were administered. If you are nervous, I recommend starting by having a small area treated with a light touch—there is no need to get a “full face” of Botox or to fully “freeze” the muscles in your first appointment.
How much does Botox cost? Will it fit in my budget?
Even if you opt for a full Botox treatment every 3-4 months, the cost per day is unlikely to exceed that of your favorite drink at Starbucks! Botox costs $12.50-$14.00 per unit, and depending on your goals and preferences, you may require anywhere from 20 units (to treat the glabella, or the 11s between the eyebrows) or as many as ~50 unit for the glabella, forehead, and crow’s feet. Multiply the number of units you need by the unit cost to estimate your total Botox treatment cost.
We are always happy to provide an estimate for you before proceeding with your treatment so that there are no surprises.
To learn more about Eugene Botox or to schedule an appointment at Ziba Medical Spa in Eugene, please give us a call at 541-686-8700! Our medspa is under the direction of Dr. Movassaghi, so you can rest assured that you are receiving medically sound advice and FDA-approved injectable products when you choose us.
