UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
650 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 200, 2nd Floor
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Phone: (434) 924-5078
Monday–Friday | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Neuromodulators are medications that temporarily reduce communication between nerves and targeted muscles. When carefully injected in small amounts, they can relax the muscle activity that contributes to dynamic wrinkles that appear or deepen with repeated facial movement, such as frowning, squinting, or raising the eyebrows. BOTOX Cosmetic contains onabotulinumtoxinA and is one of several FDA-approved neuromodulators used in aesthetic medicine.
Some aesthetic uses of neuromodulators may be considered off-label. Your provider will discuss whether a proposed treatment is appropriate and what results can reasonably be expected.
Neuromodulator treatment may be appropriate for adults who:
Your provider will review your medical history, medications, prior injectable treatments, facial movement, and treatment goals before recommending a dose and injection pattern.
BOTOX treatments are performed in the office and usually takes only a few minutes. Your provider evaluates facial movement and marks or identifies the muscles that contribute to the areas you would like to improve. Small amounts of medication are then injected through a very fine needle. Most patients do not require numbing medication, although comfort measures can be used when needed.
At UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, neuromodulator treatments are provided by experienced plastic surgeons and advanced practice providers. Each plan is customized to facial anatomy, muscle strength, existing asymmetries, prior treatment response, and the degree of movement you would like to maintain.
Yes. Neuromodulators are often part of a broader facial rejuvenation plan and may be combined with or coordinated around surgical and nonsurgical procedures, including:
The order and timing of treatments are individualized to minimize swelling or irritation and to help your provider assess the result of each treatment accurately.
No downtime is needed after BOTOX treatments, so patients typically return to nonstrenuous activities immediately afterwards.
Immediately After Treatment
Weeks 1-2
Long Term
Potential side effects include temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, headache, asymmetry, dry eye, or an unwanted change in brow, eyelid, smile, or facial movement. Less commonly, medication can affect a nearby muscle and cause temporary weakness such as eyelid or brow droop. Your provider will review conditions, medications, and prior reactions that may affect treatment safety.
The goal of BOTOX treatment does not have to be a completely “frozen” appearance. Our providers customize treatment to the amount of movement you would like to preserve.
The effect begins gradually over the first several days. Most patients can judge the treatment more accurately around 2 weeks, once the medication has had time to take full effect.
Many patients notice an effect for approximately 3 to 4 months. Duration varies with the treatment area, dose, muscle strength, metabolism, prior treatments, and individual response.
It does not have to. The dose and placement can be adjusted to soften unwanted lines while preserving selected facial movement. Your provider will discuss how much movement you would like to maintain.
BOTOX reduces selected muscle activity that contributes to dynamic wrinkles. Dermal filler adds or restores volume and can support facial contours or soften certain folds. They treat different causes of facial aging and are often complementary.
Most patients describe a brief pinching sensation with each injection. The needles are very small, and treatment is usually completed within a few minutes.
Reducing repeated muscle movement can decrease the folding that contributes to certain dynamic lines. Existing lines that are visible even at rest may also reflect skin quality, sun exposure, or volume changes and may require additional treatments.
Treatment may not be appropriate for patients with an infection at the injection site, certain neuromuscular disorders, prior serious reactions to botulinum toxin products, or other medical considerations. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, medications, and prior procedures should be discussed with your provider before treatment.
To learn more about BOTOX and other nonsurgical aesthetic treatments at UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Charlottesville, request a consultation with one of our providers using the online form or call (434) 924-5078 to schedule an appointment.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by an UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Medical Editor on October 2nd, 2026.
