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Botox in Covington, KY: Smooth Frown Lines, Forehead Lines and Crow's Feet

Treatment Time:
10-20 minutes
Downtime:
None to minimal
Results Last:
3-4 months
FDA Approved:
Yes, cosmetic use
Patient receiving Botox injections in the forehead area at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa in Covington, KY

Injectable Wrinkle Care

Botox Treatment in Covington, Kentucky

Botox is the most requested cosmetic injectable at our Covington, KY practice, and patients travel to us from across Kenton County, Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, OH. We treat frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet for people in Newport, Bellevue, Fort Wright and Erlanger who want to look rested rather than altered.

Your injections are placed inside a dental practice, which is unusual and deliberate. Dr. Barry Applegate, DMD has spent three decades working in facial anatomy, nerves and musculature, and Elizabeth Taylor, APRN brings a background in acute care medicine and advanced aesthetic training to every treatment plan.

Close view of frown lines and forehead lines before Botox treatment at Applegate MedSpa in Covington, KY

About Botox

Why Expression Lines Set In, and How Botox Helps

The problem and the solution

Expression lines are the cost of a face that moves. Every time you concentrate, squint into afternoon sun or laugh with friends, small muscles in your upper face fold the skin above them. In your twenties that skin springs back. By your forties, collagen and elastin have thinned and the fold stays after the expression ends. Patients tell us they look tired or annoyed in photographs when they feel neither. That is when wrinkles and fine lines stop being occasional and start being permanent.

Botox interrupts that cycle at the source. Relaxing the muscle that creates the crease gives the skin above it a rest, and over a few months an etched line softens on its own. Treatment takes about fifteen minutes, needs no anesthesia and no recovery, and the effect fades gradually, so nothing about it is permanent. It is the most requested option on our injectables menu, and for most patients it is the first step rather than the last.

Understanding Your Treatment

What Is Botox and How Does It Work?

Botulinum toxin type A explained

Botox is a purified preparation of onabotulinumtoxinA, a botulinum toxin type A protein licensed by the FDA and used cosmetically since 2002. We use it here for one purpose: softening the expression lines that appear when you frown, raise your brows or smile.

The injection briefly blocks the nerve signal telling a small facial muscle to contract, a mechanism described by the National Library of Medicine. The muscle rests, the skin stops creasing, and the etched line begins to smooth. Most patients see a change within three to five days. Botox is one of three type A neurotoxins we keep at our Covington practice, alongside Letybo and Jeuveau, and which one suits you depends on the areas you want treated and how quickly you need the result.

Treatment Timeline:

Treatment Time:
10-20 minutes
First Signs:
3-5 days
Full Effect:
10-14 days
Recovery:
None

Your Visit

What Happens During Treatment

Step by step, start to finish

  1. Mapping

    Elizabeth watches your face at rest and in motion, then plans unit placement for each area.

  2. Preparation

    The skin is cleansed with alcohol, and ice or topical numbing is offered if you want it.

  3. Injection

    Elizabeth places small amounts of onabotulinumtoxinA with an ultrafine needle, ten to twenty minutes total.

  4. Aftercare

    You get written instructions: stay upright four hours, skip the gym and no rubbing the area.

  5. Two-Week Check

    We review the result at two weeks and adjust dosing at your next appointment if needed.

Treatment Areas

Cosmetic Areas We Treat with Botox

Where the injections go and why

Soft abstract background of light and shadow across smooth skin used for the Botox treatment areas section
  • Frown Lines

    Softens the vertical glabellar lines between your brows

  • Forehead Lines

    Relaxes the horizontal creases across the upper forehead

  • Crow's Feet

    Smooths the fan of lines at the outer corners of the eyes

  • Bunny Lines

    Eases the small wrinkles along the bridge of the nose

  • Lip Flip

    Relaxes the upper lip for a subtly fuller resting smile

  • Chin Dimpling

    Calms the pebbled texture of an overactive chin muscle

Benefits of Botox

What the treatment gives you

Fast AppointmentMost visits finish in 10 to 20 minutes, lunch break includedNo DowntimeReturn to work, errands or the gym tomorrowNatural MovementConservative dosing keeps your natural expressionFully ReversibleThe effect fades on its own, so nothing is permanentPreventive EffectRegular treatment keeps new lines from etching in over time

Botox vs Other Wrinkle Treatments

Botox, Letybo, Emface, fillers and retinoids solve different problems. Here is how they compare for expression lines. If you are weighing the two neurotoxins, read how Letybo compares to Botox or see our Letybo treatment page.

TreatmentMechanismSession TimeResults AppearResults LastDowntimeBest For
BotoxOnabotulinumtoxinA relaxes the muscle that folds the skin10-20 minutes3-5 days3-4 monthsNoneFrown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet
LetyboLetibotulinumtoxinA, a newer type A neurotoxin10-20 minutes2-4 days3-4 monthsNoneGlabellar frown lines at a lower per unit cost
JeuveauPrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs, a type A neurotoxin made only for aesthetics10-20 minutesAs early as 2 days3-4 monthsNoneGlabellar frown lines when the fastest start matters
EmfaceHIFES muscle stimulation plus radiofrequency, no needles20 minutesAfter 2-3 sessionsAbout 12 months with upkeepNoneNeedle-free lifting and toning of the whole face
Dermal FillersGel adds volume under the skin rather than relaxing muscle30-45 minutesImmediately6-18 monthsBruising possibleVolume loss, folds and static lines at rest
Topical RetinoidsVitamin A derivative speeds cell turnover and collagenNightly at home8-12 weeksOnly while usedPeeling early onFine surface lines, texture and daily maintenance

Candidacy

Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox?

Honest guidance before you book

Botox suits adults who are bothered by lines that appear when the face moves. The clearest test is a mirror: if the line deepens when you frown or smile and softens when your face relaxes, it is a muscle problem and Botox is the right tool.

Ideal Candidates for Botox

  • Adults in good general health with dynamic frown lines, forehead lines or crow's feet
  • Patients who want to soften expression lines while keeping natural movement
  • Younger patients starting preventive treatment before lines etch in permanently
  • Anyone who needs a treatment with no recovery time built into the week
  • Patients with realistic expectations who understand results are temporary

Who Should Wait or Consider Something Else

  • Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Patients with myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, ALS or another neuromuscular disorder
  • Known allergy to any botulinum toxin product or to albumin
  • Active skin infection, rash or inflammation at the planned injection site
  • Patients whose lines are visible at complete rest, which usually points to volume loss instead
  • Anyone who would rather avoid needles entirely, who may prefer needle-free facial lifting with Emface

Deep static folds that stay put when your face is relaxed respond better to volume correction or energy-based treatment than to a neurotoxin. Elizabeth will tell you plainly at your consultation if Botox is not the right answer for what is bothering you.

Side Effects and Safety

What the evidence shows

Results You Can Expect

Real Results

Botox works on a predictable schedule. Movement in the treated muscle begins to soften around day three, the visible line keeps smoothing through day ten, and the peak result usually lands at two weeks. From there the effect holds for roughly three to four months before it fades gradually. Individual results vary with muscle strength, dosing and how long the line has been there.

Botox
BeforeAfter
Treatment Name:
Botox

The Difference

Why Choose Applegate MedSpa for Botox in Covington, KY

A nurse practitioner led approach to injectables

Dr. Barry Applegate, DMD has worked in facial anatomy, nerves and musculature since 1993, and Elizabeth Taylor, APRN adds a background in acute care medicine and advanced aesthetic training. That depth of anatomical training is the honest reason to have your Botox placed here.

  • Dentist-Founded Practice

    Three decades of hands-on facial anatomy behind every injection

  • Conservative Dosing

    We start lower and refine, because a frozen look is hard to undo

  • Two-Week Review

    A follow-up check so your next treatment is mapped to your result

  • 4.9 From 771 Reviews

    A Covington practice patients return to and recommend

  • Pay Per Unit

    $12 per unit, so you pay for exactly what is injected and nothing more

  • Numbing on Request

    Ice or topical numbing is offered before an ultrafine needle is ever placed

Pricing

Botox Cost in Covington, KY

Priced by the unit, not the area

Botox at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa is $12 per unit. There is no flat treatment fee, because no two faces need the same dose. A strong frown muscle takes more product than a delicate crow's feet area, and a first-time patient often uses fewer units than someone who has been treating the same line for years. You pay for exactly what is injected.

Typical Unit Ranges by Area

  • Frown lines (glabella): 15 to 25 units, about $180 to $300
  • Forehead lines: 8 to 20 units, about $96 to $240
  • Crow's feet (both sides): 12 to 24 units, about $144 to $288
  • Bunny lines: 4 to 8 units, about $48 to $96
  • Lip flip: 4 to 6 units, about $48 to $72
  • Chin dimpling: 4 to 8 units, about $48 to $96

Most patients treating the full upper face land somewhere between 40 and 60 units per visit. Ranges are typical, not a quote. Your exact unit count is confirmed at your consultation before anything is injected, so you always know the price first.

Flexible Payment Options

We want the plan to fit your budget, not the other way around.

  • Cherry Financing - monthly payment plans with a quick approval process and options for a range of credit profiles.
  • Major credit cards - accepted for a single session or a full series.
  • HSA and FSA - health spending account funds are accepted where your plan administrator allows the treatment, so check your plan first.

Promotional pricing available at consultation. Call to schedule a free consult.

Patient receiving a Letybo injection between the brows at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa in Covington, KY

Related Treatment

Letybo

A botulinum toxin type A approved by the FDA in 2024 for moderate to severe frown lines.

  1. Newest FDA Approval
  2. Focused Indication
  3. Short Appointment

Related Treatment

Jeuveau

An FDA approved frown line neurotoxin with results that can start by day two.

  1. Fast Onset
  2. Fifteen Minute Visit
  3. No Downtime

Related Treatment

Emface

Needle free facial lifting

  1. No Needles
  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Muscle and Skin

Related Treatment

RF Microneedling with Exion

Fractional radiofrequency delivered through fine needles to firm skin, refine pores and smooth texture.

  1. Your Own Collagen
  2. Multiple Concerns
  3. Short Recovery

Common Questions

Botox Questions, Answered

How much does Botox cost in Covington, KY?
Botox is $12 per unit at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa. There is no flat fee, so your total depends on how many units your treatment areas need. Frown lines typically take 15 to 25 units and a full upper face runs 40 to 60 units. You get an exact price at your consultation before any injection, and Cherry Financing is available.
How many units of Botox will I need?
It depends on muscle strength, the area and how long the line has been forming. Typical ranges are 15 to 25 units for frown lines, 8 to 20 for the forehead, and 12 to 24 for both crow's feet areas. Men often need more because facial muscles are stronger. Elizabeth maps your dose while watching your face move, then confirms it with you.
Does Botox hurt?
Most patients describe it as a quick pinch rather than pain. The needle is ultrafine and each injection takes about a second, with four to six injections per area. Ice or topical numbing is available if you want it. There is no anesthesia and no sedation involved, and most people head straight back to work afterward.
How long does a Botox appointment take?
Plan on 30 minutes for your first visit, which includes mapping and consent. The injections themselves take 10 to 20 minutes. Follow-up appointments are shorter because your dosing plan is already on file. There is no recovery period built in, so you can schedule it over a lunch break.
When will I see results from Botox?
Most patients notice softening three to five days after treatment. The effect continues building through day ten, and the peak result usually arrives around two weeks. That is why we schedule a two-week check rather than judging the outcome early. If an area needs balancing, a few extra units at that point handle it.
How long does Botox last?
Three to four months is typical for cosmetic treatment of the upper face. The effect fades gradually rather than stopping suddenly, so movement returns over a few weeks. Strong muscles, high metabolism and frequent intense exercise can shorten duration. Patients who treat consistently often find the interval stretches over time.
How often should I get Botox?
Most patients return every three to four months, which works out to three treatments a year. Coming back before movement fully returns keeps the line from re-etching and often means fewer units over time. Waiting six months between visits is fine too, it simply means starting from a deeper line each round.
Should I choose Botox or Letybo?
Both are type A neurotoxins and both relax the same muscles. Botox is $12 per unit with the longest clinical track record, while Letybo is $10 per unit and often shows onset a day or two sooner. Read how Letybo compares to Botox, then decide with us at your consultation.
Is Botox safe, and what are the side effects?
Cosmetic Botox has one of the longest safety records in aesthetics. Common effects are mild and short lived: pinpoint redness, small bumps, occasional bruising and a same-day headache. Temporary brow or eyelid droop is uncommon and resolves on its own. Tell us about any neuromuscular condition, allergy or medication before we treat you.
Will Botox make my face look frozen?
Not with conservative dosing. A frozen look comes from too much product in too few spots, so we start lower, review your result at two weeks, and add units only where they are needed. The goal is a face that still frowns, smiles and raises its brows, just without the crease left behind.
Am I too young or too old for Botox?
Botox is approved for adults and patients from their late twenties through their seventies treat with us. Younger patients usually come for prevention, keeping lines from etching in before they become permanent. Older patients often combine it with other treatments, since lines visible at complete rest respond better to volume or energy-based options.
What should I avoid before and after Botox?
Skip alcohol, aspirin, fish oil and anti-inflammatory medication for a day or two beforehand if your doctor allows it, since all of them increase bruising. Afterward, stay upright for four hours, avoid rubbing or massaging the area, and postpone strenuous exercise, saunas and facials until the next day.
What is the difference between Botox and Jeuveau?
Botox and Jeuveau are both botulinum toxin type A, and both are injected into the same muscles between the brows. Botox is onabotulinumtoxinA, approved for frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. Jeuveau is prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs, approved for frown lines only, with onset as early as day two. In a published head to head non inferiority trial the two performed comparably on frown lines. Units are not interchangeable between the two products, so your dose is set on each product's own label. Elizabeth will tell you which one fits the areas you want treated.

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References

  1. Brin MF et al., Medicine (Baltimore). (2023). Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) mechanism of action. PMID: 37499078.
  2. Solish N et al., Dermatol Surg. (2016). Efficacy and Safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment of Forehead Lines: A Multicenter, Randomized, Dose-Ranging Controlled Trial. PMID: 26863598.
  3. Carruthers A et al., Aesthet Surg J. (2016). OnabotulinumtoxinA for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crow's Feet Lines: A Review. PMID: 26979457.
  4. Li X et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg. (2023). Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Treatment of Glabellar Lines: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PMID: 36097079.
  5. Jia Z et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg. (2016). Adverse Events of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PMID: 27495260.
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drugs at FDA. (2024). Licensing record and approved labeling for BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA), BLA 103000.
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