Botox Injections in NYC to Reduce Wrinkles and Smooth the Skin

Botox has been used safely and effectively for years. It was FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2002. It is an increasingly popular treatment for reversing the visible signs of aging. It is a quick treatment that does not require surgery. If you do plan to get surgery, Botox can be used in conjunction with a facelift or other cosmetic facial surgery.

Yes, Botox is generally safe for sensitive skin. Allergic reactions are extremely rare but should be discussed with your doctor.

The most common side effects or symptoms are redness or slight inflammation, bruising, and swelling. We have a special light in the office called the Veinlite. This helps us visualize the veins under the skin so it's less likely that they will be nicked and that you will be bruised. If a bruise does occur, this can easily be covered by makeup. We also have special products in the office should this occur. We have arnica gel patches to speed up the healing of a bruise as well as arnica pills. There are other ways to deal with this, utilizing lasers to lighten the bruise. We also have specially made products with antioxidants for all skin types if any redness should occur. We do not recommend soap being used on the area and have created a gentle cleanser that adds moisture to the skin. The ingredient list includes ceramides to protect the skin barrier. Having done so many Botox injections, we have a lot of tips for our patients. Most people don’t have any side effects and there is very little downtime. They are very content with their treatment.

Some doctors inject a large amount of Botox into each muscle group without looking at the patient's overall features. This can give a very unnatural frozen appearance. Some patients like this appearance. Dr. Jaliman calls this the “Stepford wife” look. It is very important to discuss with the doctor how you want your face to look before having Botox. Some people like a more natural appearance and then less Botox is injected into that area of the face. The advantage of having Botox at Dr. Jaliman’s practice is that Botox is injected on the first visit. Then the patients are encouraged to come back in the next 2 weeks for a touch-up, at no charge if they feel that they need more Botox. That allows Dr. Jaliman to achieve a perfect balance in the facial muscles. Once she has determined exactly how much Botox is required, it is recorded in your chart. Your customized Botox recipe is then available for your future visits. She uses a range of Botox units on each area of your face, depending upon the strength of your muscles and your desired goal and needs. Everyone sees a remarkable difference in their faces and the goals set by the doctor and her patient are achieved, with many patients saying not only thanks but, often they will give testimonials that it is the best Botox they ever had, even when they have very strong and difficult muscles. Dr. Jaliman finds a solution to even the most difficult and challenging problems and is most creative in the way she approaches each and every patient's unique and individual skincare concerns. It is a team approach between the provider and the patient with the doctor offering options and listening carefully to feedback from the patient. Many patients say this is the best Botox and fillers that they have had in NYC.

Unfortunately, you need to wait for the Botox to wear off. This can take 3 to 4 months. Each week the Botox will get weaker, and your facial muscles will start to go back to their natural strength gradually over the next 3 to 4 months. Unlike filler injections, Botox cannot be dissolved or removed from the body. That is why it is so important to do your research and to choose an experienced injector of Botox so that you don't end up disappointed and unhappy with an asymmetric face.

Long-term side effects of Botox are rare when performed by an experienced injector like Dr. Jaliman. With proper technique and spacing between treatments, Botox remains safe for long-term use.

After Botox injections, avoid touching the treated area, lying down for 1 hour, alcohol, exercise, and heat exposure (like saunas or hot showers) for 24 hours to reduce bruising and optimize results.

If Botox is injected improperly, it can cause asymmetry, drooping eyelids, or unnatural results. Choosing a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Jaliman ensures precise, safe Botox treatments.

A bad reaction to Botox is rare but can include symptoms like muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, or allergic reactions. Call your provider immediately if you notice unusual side effects.

There is no downtime after Botox for most patients. You can return to work or normal activities immediately—just follow post-Botox care instructions to avoid swelling or bruising.

Do not lie down for one hour after the Botox injections. This is important because you do not want Botox to migrate into another muscle group. It is also important not to rub or massage the treatment area where Botox was injected. You can exercise after one hour and resume your normal activities immediately.

Apply ice packs to the treated area for 5 to 10 minutes at a time in the first few hours after treatment. Keep your head elevated after the procedure, even when sleeping. Some people find that taking Arnica may help reduce bruising. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after treatment.

It’s best to avoid exercise for 24 hours after Botox injections. Physical activity can increase blood flow and potentially cause the Botox to migrate, reducing effectiveness or causing side effects.

If you stop getting Botox, the effects will gradually wear off and the muscles will return to their normal activity. But Botox will not cause your wrinkles to worsen or age faster.

Yes, you can wear makeup a few hours after Botox, but avoid applying pressure to the treated area. Use a light touch to prevent disrupting the placement of the Botox.

The number of Botox units needed varies, depending on several factors, including the treatment area, the severity of wrinkles, and individual muscle strength.

• Forehead lines: 20-40 units
• Crow's feet: 20-40 units
• Frown lines: 30 units
• Brow lift: 10 units

Botox is injected with a very fine microneedle into the muscle. A very precise amount of units of Botox are placed into the injection site in the face. It is very important that the injector knows facial anatomy so that the correct muscles are injected with precision into the client. Dr. Jaliman does this with ease after so many years of injecting Botox.

Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Daxxify are other neuromodulators (botulinum toxin injectables) that work similarly to Botox.

All are neuromodulators that relax muscles, but they have slightly different formulations, diffusion patterns, and onset times. Botox is the most widely known and studied.

The forehead lines can be successfully treated. The frown (furrows), which are also called the glabella, is another common area that some refer to as the eleven lines. The area around the eyes (crow or crows feet), lips, bunny lines on the nose, corners of the mouth, neck bands, and chin can also be treated. It is also possible to do a temporary brow lift with Botox. Botox can also be injected into the upper lip to relax these muscles, creating the illusion of a fuller upper lip without the use of filler. This is called a lip flip. Botox cannot be injected into smile lines. These are often filled with hyaluronic acid filler, which can add volume to this area of the face, which often has fat loss. Areas like the cheeks and cheekbones can also be treated with filler.

Botox is best for treating dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements—such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are used to restore volume loss, enhance facial contours, and smooth static wrinkles that appear even when the face is at rest.

At your consultation, Dr. Debra Jaliman, a top NYC cosmetic dermatologist, will evaluate your skin, facial anatomy, and aesthetic goals to determine whether Botox, fillers, or a combination is the most effective option for your needs.

For optimal facial rejuvenation, many patients combine Botox with treatments such as dermal fillers, non-ablative laser therapy (like Fraxel or Revlite), chemical peels, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), or medical-grade skincare. These combinations target different layers of the skin to reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, and restore youthful volume.

Dr. Jaliman will design a customized treatment plan to safely combine procedures and help you achieve natural, comprehensive results.

You can often have Botox and fillers on the same day, depending on the areas treated. For laser treatments, chemical peels, or microneedling, Dr. Jaliman usually recommends waiting at least 1 to 2 weeks before or after Botox injections to avoid increased swelling or bruising and ensure optimal results.

Your personalized plan will include the best timing based on your skin, goals, and treatment combination.

Yes, Botox can be used to slim the jawline by relaxing the masseter muscles—the muscles used for chewing that can become enlarged from teeth grinding or clenching. This treatment creates a more tapered facial shape and is especially popular among patients seeking facial contouring without surgery.

Dr. Jaliman is highly experienced in using Botox for masseter reduction and will assess whether this treatment is right for you.

Yes, Botox is FDA-approved to treat excessive underarm sweating, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis. It works by blocking the nerves that stimulate sweat glands, providing relief for up to 6 months. Dr. Jaliman offers this treatment in her NYC dermatology office, and it can also be used for sweaty palms or feet.

This is a highly effective non-surgical solution for patients who haven’t responded to topical treatments.

Yes—when performed by an experienced injector like Dr. Debra Jaliman, Botox will soften lines without “freezing” your face. You’ll still be able to smile, frown, and look surprised, just with fewer dynamic wrinkles. The key is precise placement and using the right amount of Botox units tailored to your facial anatomy.

Natural-looking results are always the goal of treatment in our NYC cosmetic dermatology office.

To ensure the best Botox results, follow these important post-treatment tips:

• Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas.
• Do not lie down for 1 hour after the procedure.
• Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, hot showers, and saunas for 24 hours.

Following these guidelines will help prevent Botox migration and reduce the risk of bruising or swelling.

Botox can often be combined to enhance other overall results. For example, it can be combined with dermal fillers, lasers, chemical peels, microneedling and facials.

No—it’s the same product, but the treatment areas and goals differ. Medical Botox treats conditions like migraines or muscle spasms; cosmetic Botox targets wrinkles.

It has several other uses outside of dermatology. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), migraine headaches, TMJ and jaw reduction, neck and shoulder tension, teeth grinding, and a gummy smile.

By carefully evaluating the brows, the forehead asymmetry can be corrected. This is accomplished by injecting microdroplets of Botox into the appropriate muscles. A skilled injector is needed to evaluate the problem and determine which muscles need to be injected and how many units of neurotoxin need to be injected.

Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.