![]() ![]() September welcomes autumn and all the deliciousness that comes with it. Reward yourself for a job well done during Self-Improvement Month with a Spa Treatment. Don’t ignore your skin, body, mental state or lifestyle. Stop in the Spa and pamper yourself today!
We look forward to seeing you!
Featured Article Why are there Different Prices for Botox® when I Check Around? The popularity of Botox® continues to rise every year among all age groups. It can give a fresh, less wrinkled improvement to the upper face yet with a natural appearance. Let me be honest, Botox® is not cheap; and it is also not a “salon” procedure.
It is a medical procedure and should be performed by a licensed, skilled medical professional whose scope of practice is plastic surgery or cosmetic medicine.
![]() Nadine O. Custer, PA-C Physician Assistant at Aestique Greensburg Medical Spa Before I talk cost, I want to address who is doing your Botox®. Botox® should be done in a medical setting. It should be done by a physician, physician assistant(PA), nurse practitioner(NP), or a registered nurse(RN) and it should be within their scope of practice. For example, should a dental office be doing Botox®? Or an oral surgeon? What about an ophthalmologist who also does LASIK eye surgery? If you don’t know what the specialty is of the office you would be going to for Botox®, I would do more research. I feel strongly that it falls in the plastic surgery field of medicine and a plastic surgery medical spa. I also know many other medical professionals that are very skilled at Botox® in the dermatology field. Before you schedule and get your Botox®, know who will be giving you the injections, what the practice is specialized to do and what credentials the practitioner has.
You may do an investigation of cost at different practices that offer Botox®. You may find that it varies quite a bit. There are several reasons for that.
1. Brand name Botox® vs Other. Brand name Botox® has been FDA approved for 19 years now. Many people, both lay persons as well as medical professionals, use the word “botox” generically to mean ANY of the botulinum toxins that are now available. There are three other pharmaceutical companies that have since come out with their own version of “botox” and these are: Xeomin®, Dysport® and Jeuveau™. Be sure to ask if the pricing is for brand-name Botox®.
2. How Many UNITS? Botox® and the other botulinum toxins are given in UNITS. Therefore, the prices are most often “per unit”. But again, be careful to ask if it is brand-name Botox® or one of the others as the units are NOT the same as brand-name Botox® units. It is a deception to think you are getting “botox” for much less money when you read how much it is per unit. If it is Dysport® for instance, almost twice as much Dysport® must be used compared to Botox® and therefore the cost is actually very similar to brand-name Botox® and NOT less for Dysport®.
3. Price per Unit vs Price per Area. I find that most practices across the country charge by units of Botox® but some charge by “how many areas” are done. They have a set fee for one area or two etc. With this way of charging, you really have no idea how many units of Botox® you are getting compared to the next person.
4. Groupon! I have never personally used a Groupon for anything! I have talked to many friends and patients that have. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to save money just as much as the next person, but not at the expense of my health or a medical procedure. Again, if you are tempted by a Groupon for “botox”, do your homework. Find out quite specifically who is giving the “botox”, if it is brand name Botox® and in what setting the “botox” will be given. I would not recommend this route if you cannot get clear answers.
5.Membership Plans or Botox® Plans. These are often programs that save patients money on the per unit cost of Botox® by lowering the cost and spreading out the payments every month. It is similar to a healthcare savings account for Botox®. It benefits the patient by lowering the overall cost of the Botox® as well as not requiring a large chunk of money every few months.
6. Who is Administering the Botox® Injections? This question is not very common, but I occasionally hear this. If the physician is administering Botox® there is a price per unit, and it is a higher price. If a PA, NP or RN is injecting Botox® it is at a lesser price. I am glad this is not commonly done as it implies that the injections or treatment is of lesser value if someone other than the physician is giving the injections and this simply not the case. Physicians as well as PAs, NPs and RNs are qualified and trained to give Botox® injections. The years of experience, training, continuing education are what you should be asking about when it comes to who does your Botox® injections.
As you can see there is a lot to consider when selecting a medical practice at which to get your Botox® injections. I think the happiest patient will be the one that does their homework, asks the right questions and makes educated decisions. There is more to Botox® treatment that just “cost”. Good luck as you explore options for Botox® and as you do a cost analysis of Botox® treatments.
September Promotions ![]() PRP Therapy: How does PRP Treat Hair Loss?
![]() ![]() Massages Await You
The summer can take a lot out of us. Between coordinating everyone’s schedule while school’s out, running the kids around, and packing for the entire family for vacation, it’s time YOU get a break! Purchase yours this month and receive $15 in Spa Award Points!!
Product of the Month ![]() Retinol Skin Brightener ![]() This is a fall favorite! Retinol is the most powerful skin rejuvenator It exfoliates, tightens pores, thickens the dermis, reduces wrinkles, and increases the ability of the skin to build and maintain higher levels of hyaluronic acid. ZO Skin Health’s Retinol Skin Brightener (formerly known as Brightenex) is a treatment formulated to help reduce skin discoloration and even skin tone. It is indicated to treat hyperpigmentation and sun damage.This product can be used on the face and body and is available in 1% or 0.5% Retinol.
Retail Product of the Month: Nest Candle Receive 30% OFF on ALL Nest Fragrances for the month of September! ![]()
Team Member Highlight ![]() Meet Maria Sidoni! Maria has worked at Aestique Plastic Surgery & MediSpa for 9 years. She is the Nurse Practitioner in the Shadyside office and specializes in non-invasive injections, laser treatments and skin care.
Maria earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing from Duquesne University and her Master’s Degree of Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. Favorite ZO Skin Health Product: Oil Control Pads Favorite Product: Latisse! It keeps her lashes longer, stronger, fuller and darker! Favorite treatment to perform: Dermal Filler, especially cheeks! Favorite treatment to have: Botox
When not at work Maria will be spending time with her family and operating another successful business as the owner of Pure Barre Wexford!
You can see Maria in the Shadyside Medical Spa for in-depth consultations, treatments and services. Call or e-mail spa@aestique.com to reserve your consultation or treatment today
Aestique Elite Are you aware of the NEW & IMPROVED VIP Program? The Aestique Elite VIP program is for you if you want to….
· Improve and rejuvenate your appearance · Stop wearing so much make up to hide your imperfections · Have an expert customize an ideal program for you · Save time and money and look your very best!
No matter what age you are, or what you are doing now, the Aestique Elite program will provide you with the most advanced treatments and products to help you reach your desired results safely and quickly.
Here are the facts:
We all have a Personal Image Allowance that we invest on annually to help us look good and maintain a competitive edge.
The Aestique Elite program is designed for you so you can take the Personal Image Allowance that you are spending anyway and putting to a better use.
So instead of you spending money on a la carte treatments here and there that may not be working, take the allowance and have a plan designed by an expert to help you get the results you want. The VIP program will help make your dollar stretch and gain better results. Let’s Talk Levels ![]() Ageless
As an Ageless member you will receive the following exclusive benefits: · 20% savings on all medi spa treatments, dermal fillers & retail purchases · Botox at $11.00/unit · 15% savings on cosmetic surgical procedure
$499/month ![]() Transform
As a Transform member you will receive the following exclusive benefits: · 15% savings on all medispa treatments, dermal fillers & retail purchases · Botox at $12.50/unit · 10% savings on cosmetic surgical procedure
$299/month ![]() Classic
As a Classic member you will receive the following exclusive benefits: · Receive a savings of 10% on ALL Medispa treatments, dermal fillers & retail purchases · Botox at $13.00/unit · 5% off cosmetic surgical procedure
$159/month Let us help you determine which VIP program is best for you. Reserve a complimentary online or in office consultation now and find out how you can correct and prevent further damage! We look forward to helping you Live Life Counterclockwise!®
See you soon at The Spa at Aestique! Shadyside Location 5989 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh,
Phone: (412) 345-0061 Email: info@aestique.com
Spa Hours Greensburg Location One Aesthetic Way
Phone: (724) 832-8266 Email: info@aestique.com
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