Shared Commonalities Between Botox^® and Energy-Based Treatments.

There are significant differences between Botox^® and energy-based treatments, as one is an injectable while the other leverages instruments like lasers. However, there is some overlap, as both offer: 

• Non-invasive and non-invasive procedures with minimal recovery - While recipients may need to temporarily refrain from activities like exercise for a day or two after treatment, recovery from Botox^® or energy-based procedures shouldn't disrupt daily life. 

• Prolonged yet non-permanent results - While the results of Botox^® and energy-based treatments vary—the former lasting up to six months and the latter extending to at least a year or more—neither can be considered "permanent." Individuals seeking more dramatic and long-lasting outcomes may be better suited for plastic surgery procedures.

• Strict guidelines about who can administer (and risk of fraud) - Rules vary from one state to the next about who can legally perform Botox^® and energy-based procedures. However, the unfortunate truth is that both treatments have been subject to fraud, as explained further here. Therefore, patients should verify both the relevant laws and the practitioner's valid licensing, whether seeking Botox^® or energy-based treatments.

Important Takeaways About Botox^®

Botox^® has been approved by the FDA since 1989 and has become the most widely known non-invasive cosmetic procedure. It works by temporarily paralyzing specific muscles to lessen the onset of wrinkles and fine lines. 

Dr. Sung explains, "Botox^® has gained popularity because it predates many other aesthetic treatments and works as promised. However, for many of my patients, it’s not always the most effective solution for achieving their desired results. It’s important to work with a specialist to explore all available options before deciding if Botox^® is the right choice."

• Botox^® is more about reducing the appearance of wrinkles than wrinkle reduction. A common mistake is to think of Botox^® as a way to erase or minimize existing deep-set lines. This is not how Botox^® works; instead, it relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles to slow future progression. In other words, Botox does not eliminate wrinkles but simply masks them.

• Botox^® is more effective for certain types of wrinkles than others - Botox^® is most effective for dynamic wrinkles, which are those caused by repetitive muscle movement. Examples include forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Comparatively, “static wrinkles” refer to those that manifest regardless of muscle movement, most commonly due to the natural loss of collagen with age. While Botox^® may help smooth some static wrinkling, lasers and energy-based treatments are significantly more effective for the latter. 

• Botox^® can be used in surprisingly diverse ways and areas – While most commonly associated with softening forehead lines and crow’s feet, Botox^® can also be used to slim the jawline, reduce excessive sweating, and even alleviate migraines or TMJ discomfort.

• Botox^® does not influence the tone and texture of skin. While Botox^® can smooth expression lines, it does not improve skin quality, meaning concerns like dullness, rough texture, or pigmentation require separate treatments. 

• Botox^® may be less effective for individuals taking specific medications – Certain antibiotics, anticoagulants, and muscle relaxants can interfere with Botox’s^® ability to take full effect, either by weakening its impact or increasing the risk of bruising.

• Temporary bruising can occur, but shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. Some mild bruising or redness at the injection site is common. However, this typically fades within a few days and can be easily covered with makeup.

• Botox^® can be used alongside regenerative care treatments, including lasers and energy-based procedures. In short, Botox^® and regenerative care treatments are not mutually exclusive. Physicians experienced in both injectables and energy-based devices can develop a personalized strategy that outlines how each procedure targets different concerns, creating a nuanced yet united approach.

Important Takeaways About Lasers and Other Energy Devices

Regenerative care treatments vary widely, each providing distinct benefits based on the protocols and technology used, including lasers, light therapy, radio frequency (RF) ultrasound, or other advanced energy-based methods. These energies achieve results by stimulating collagen and elastin production, which helps incrementally improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall texture.

• Treatments can both reduce the visibility of lines while slowing the formation of new ones. Most of the devices that fall under this classification help improve collagen production by directing concentrated energy into the skin’s deeper layers, triggering a natural healing response. This activation prompts fibroblasts to generate fresh collagen and elastin, gradually strengthening and rejuvenating the skin. 

• Select treatments contribute to skin tautness for a more sculpted look – Treatments like Sofwave^®, Density RF^®, Thermage FLX^®, Ultherapy Prime^®, and Fontana4D^®  naturally lift and tighten skin, helping combat sagginess and attractively contour the face and neck. 

• Many energy devices improve the overall texture of the skin. These treatments can enhance skin texture by refining pores, smoothing acne scars, and encouraging cellular turnover for a more even complexion. 

• Laser treatments can help reduce discoloration – Procedures like PicoSure Pro^® and BBL Hero^® can effectively target sun damage, age spots, Rosacea, and other familiar sources of hyperpigmentation. 

• Results naturally manifest over weeks and months – As the body gradually rebuilds collagen and elastin, the visual impact of the energy-based treatments becomes naturally more evident. 

• Energy-based treatments can prime the skin for better absorption of topical treatments – Acting similarly to microneedling, these devices create micro-channels in the skin that allow regenerative care serums, like exosomes and salmon sperm facials, to be absorbed more effectively.

• Depending on the type of energy device, treatment can be effective for both the face and other body parts, targeting concerns like laxity, discoloration, or textural irregularities beyond just facial skin.

To learn more about popular energy-based treatments offered from our New York clinic, visit our pages about PicoSure Pro^®, BBL Hero^®, Laser Genesis^®, Fotona4D^®, Sofwave^®, Thermage FLX^®, and Ultherapy Prime^®, to name a few.

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Botox^® vs. Lasers and Other Energy Devices — How They Compare

Customers may come in with a clear preference for Botox^® or laser treatments. However, an experienced physician like Dr. Sung will design a bespoke plan of action that may include multiple types of procedures to achieve the desired results. 

Cost

The price of Botox^® injections and energy-based treatments will vary based on numerous factors. Botox^® in New York City can commonly cost around $20 per unit; the number of units used will vary based on the targeted areas, leading to treatments usually ranging from $500 to $700 per session. This, in theory, tends to make a round of Botox^® injections less than a laser or energy-based treatment session. 

However, any cost-savings analysis must also account for the fact that Botox^®'s effects fade faster than those of energy-based devices. As a result, recipients need more frequent sessions to maintain their results, causing costs to mount with time.

Winner: Energy-based treatments

How long do the results last

Botox^®: Botox results typically last from three to six months. Factors like metabolism, dosage, injection technique, and muscle activity can affect endurance.

Energy-based devices: Results from energy-based devices can often last a year or more, though the specifics will vary by device and protocol. Additionally, initial treatment plans may recommend multiple sessions for specific devices spaced 4–6 weeks apart for optimal outcomes. 

Winner: Energy-based treatments

Discomfort throughout the procedure

Botox^®: To some, the notion of needles can be intimidating. What’s more, the levels of discomfort experienced throughout Botox^® procedures can be mixed. While some recipients report no more than a pinprick, others describe a lingering pain that usually subsides within an hour. The number of injections, the positioning, and the general pain tolerance of the individual impact such degrees of discomfort. 

Energy-based treatments: Not all energy devices are created equal, and, in truth, some older models created greater discomfort than the newer editions now on the market. For this reason, Dr. Sung is selective about the specific treatments he offers at Tribeca Aesthetics^®. What’s more, he will take measures to make the treatments as comfortable as possible. Most patients found energy-based treatments to be noticeably more relaxed than injectables like Botox^®. However, energy-based treatments typically take longer to complete. 

Winner: Depends on the specific treatments and individual preferences 

If you're interested in an individualized treatment plan, click here to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Sung in our New York clinic. 

Both Botox^® and Energy-Based Procedures Require Medical Licenses to Administer the Treatment 

An unfortunate reality is that some New York med spas take advantage of a misinformed public to offer both Botox^® and laser treatments without being medically qualified. The results can be disastrous. 

Dr. Sung was consulted for the CNN article, Counterfeit Botox has been found in several states. Here’s what consumers should know. To quote:

“If a provider is not licensed, then the manufacturer won’t sell them their product,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Jimmy Sung, medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics in New York City, who has treated patients with adverse reactions from previous cosmetic services.

“First of all, if you’re not licensed, you can’t get the drug legitimately. The manufacturer will not sell it to you,” Sung said.

Most often, when counterfeit Botox^® is sold, “the injector knows they’re purchasing something counterfeit,” Sung said. “And the counterfeiter knows that they’re selling to somebody who’s most likely not a board-certified plastic surgeon or a board-certified dermatologist.”

To protect yourself from bad actors, always ensure:

• The practitioner must adhere to state and federal laws. In the state of New York, only medically licensed doctors and nurse practitioners are legally allowed to deliver energy-based treatments independently. This is because the New York Board of Medicine notes, “the use of lasers to treat any ‘physical condition’ constitutes the practice of medicine.” New York holds Botox^® to similar standards. 

Misleading titles like laser technicians and medical or clinical aestheticians do not qualify someone to legally perform these procedures or operate energy-based devices in the state of New York. While physician assistants (PAs) can administer Botox^®, they can only perform energy-based treatments under the direct supervision of a physician. 

Furthermore, New York State statutes forbid the corporate practice of medicine. “Med Spas” are medical practices under New York State law and must be 100% owned by physicians. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement and public awareness leads to a deterioration of the quality of care with adverse consequences. 

• The physician’s license is verified. Sites like https://www.nydoctorprofile.com/ allow you to confirm if a practitioner is indeed licensed, as they claim. Such actions not only protect you from receiving treatments from an unqualified individual, but also lessen the likelihood of counterfeit Botox^® and devices. To learn more about this topic, read New York officials’ latest warning against Botox shots from unlicensed providers from The Guardian.

Receive Personalized Guidance From Dr. Sung in New York City.

Curious which treatments align best with your aesthetic goals? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sung at Tribeca Aesthetics® in the heart of New York. Your visit includes a comprehensive complexion assessment—featuring a VISIA^® skin analysis—along with an in-depth discussion of your desired results. Based on his findings, Dr. Sung will craft a personalized treatment plan that may include Botox^®, energy-based devices, and other non-invasive procedures. He’ll also answer any questions, ensuring you leave with a deeper understanding of both your skin and your options. 

‍Learn more about Dr. Sung of Tribeca Aesthetics^®