Questions and answers: practice, costs, safety.

That is for you to decide after the first conversation. The journey takes about half an hour; many patients combine the appointment with a visit to Rüttenscheid. Full page: From Bottrop

That is for you to decide after the first conversation. The journey takes about half an hour; many patients combine the appointment with a visit to Rüttenscheid. Full page: From Düsseldorf

Rosastraße 6a, 45130 Essen, in the Rüttenscheid district – about 300 metres from Rüttenscheider Stern.

Via the Rüttenscheider Stern stop: light rail U11 and tram 108, plus 107 at peak times, and lines 101 and 106 at street level.

Yes. Rüttenscheid is easy to reach from across the Ruhr area via the A52 and public transport.

German, English and Farsi. Full page: Essen-Rüttenscheid

That is for you to decide after the first conversation. The journey takes about half an hour; many patients combine the appointment with a visit to Rüttenscheid. Full page: From Herne

That is for you to decide after the first conversation. The journey takes about half an hour; many patients combine the appointment with a visit to Rüttenscheid. Full page: From Oberhausen

Yes, in low dose for the frown line and eye corners. On the forehead carefully, because many lift their brows with the forehead.

Yes, with adapted technique (cannula, cooling) and without stopping the medicine. More bruising is possible. Full page: At 60 and beyond

With what changes the overall impression most – usually botulinum toxin for the frown line and support of the cheek. Then reassess after three months.

No. Sun protection and retinoid work at any age; botulinum toxin keeps preventing lines from deepening. Full page: In your 40s

No. There is no dependence; when stopping, expression returns without the line being worse than without treatment.

The idea of preserving early instead of correcting late. Properly understood that means sun protection and care – and if needed a little botulinum toxin, not fillers. Full page: First wrinkles

Colloquial term for very low-dose botulinum toxin that only softens facial movement rather than stopping it. Not a separate product.

A protein that inhibits the signal from nerve to muscle for a few months. In aesthetics it is used in small doses against expression lines; medically for hyperhidrosis, bruxism and chronic migraine, among others. 'Botox' is a brand name.

Grinding or clenching the teeth, often at night. Leads to jaw pain, dental damage and a thickened masseter; botulinum toxin is a treatment option alongside a night guard and physiotherapy.

Diagonal lines on the sides of the nose bridge that appear when laughing or scrunching the nose; treated with small doses of botulinum toxin.

A needle without a sharp tip that lets filler be distributed over an area from one entry point. Reduces the risk of injuring vessels and usually causes fewer bruises.

The structural protein of the skin, which decreases with age. Microneedling, PRP, polynucleotides and some skin boosters aim to stimulate new formation.

Chemical linking of the hyaluronic acid chains. The stronger the cross-linking, the firmer and longer-lasting the gel – structure for chin and cheeks; soft for lips and fine lines.

Fan-shaped lines at the outer corner of the eye, caused by the eye's ring muscle when smiling.

German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Toxin Therapy – a professional society with certification and continuing-education standards for treating physicians.

Collective term for injectable substances that add volume or cushion wrinkles. In this practice exclusively hyaluronic acid – no permanent fillers.

Vertical lines between the eyebrows caused by the muscles that pull the brows together. The most common botulinum toxin area.

The German scale of fees for physicians: the legal basis on which medical services are invoiced privately in Germany. That is why prices are 'from' guide prices, not fixed prices.

The law regulating advertising for medical treatments. Among other things it bans before/after images for Botox and filler treatments and promises of success.

A sugar molecule that occurs in the body and binds water. As a cross-linked gel it serves as a filler for volume and contours; in soft form as a skin booster for hydration. Broken down over months and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.

An enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid within hours. Used to dissolve filler in cases of over-correction, nodules or – as an emergency – vascular occlusion.

Pathologically heavy sweating, usually of the armpits, hands or feet. Botulinum toxin blocks the sweat-gland nerves for several months.

The legally required conversation before every treatment about effect, risks, alternatives and costs. Texts on this website do not replace it.

Intravenous administration of vitamins, minerals or amino acids after medical examination. Does not replace a balanced diet and is only carried out where there is a sensible indication.

Injection of a substance (usually deoxycholic acid) that dissolves small, local fat deposits – for example under the chin. Several sessions are usual; not a substitute for weight loss.

The line of the jaw from chin to jaw angle. Can be defined with firm hyaluronic acid; with muscle pull, botulinum toxin on the platysma in addition.

Line from the corner of the mouth to the chin that makes the face look serious or tired. Treated with hyaluronic acid, occasionally complemented by botulinum toxin.

The large chewing muscle at the jaw angle. Botulinum toxin there eases teeth grinding (bruxism) and can make a wide lower face look slimmer.

Fine needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin and stimulate repair and collagen formation. For skin texture, pores and scars; can be combined with PRP.

The fold from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. An anatomical structure that becomes more pronounced with mid-face volume loss; often treated indirectly via the cheek.

Use of a licensed medicine outside its officially licensed indication, after medical judgement and specific information. Common in aesthetic medicine, e.g. botulinum toxin on the neck.

The flat neck muscle whose edges become visible as vertical bands. Botulinum toxin there ('Nefertiti lift') dampens the downward pull.

Building blocks derived from salmon DNA, injected to support skin regeneration. Used for skin quality, the eye area and weakened skin; usually several sessions.

A practice without statutory-insurance accreditation: treatments for privately insured and self-paying patients, invoiced per GOÄ. Aesthetic treatments are not covered by statutory insurance anyway.

Plasma obtained from your own blood, enriched with platelets and growth factors. Introduced into the scalp (hair loss) or facial skin, often with microneedling. Colloquially 'autologous blood therapy' or 'vampire facial'.

Soft, lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid introduced across the skin. The goal is hydration and skin quality, not volume.

The hollow between lower eyelid and cheek that emphasises dark circles and tiredness. Treated with small amounts of soft hyaluronic acid.

Botulinum toxin is dosed in units. They are not directly comparable between products; the physician doses by muscle strength and goal.

Rare, serious filler complication: material enters a blood vessel and interrupts blood supply. Recognisable by pain and white-bluish skin; must be treated immediately with hyaluronidase. Full page: Glossary

Yes. Neither botulinum toxin nor hyaluronic acid affects your ability to drive. If you feel faint right after the treatment, wait a moment.

Yes. A gap of one to two days is advisable so that swelling settles and a check-up remains possible.

Better not in the first 24 hours: alcohol widens the blood vessels and encourages swelling and bruising.

With botulinum toxin after about two weeks; with hyaluronic acid also after about two weeks, once the swelling has settled. Full page: Aftercare

No. Injection needles and cannulas are stainless steel with negligible nickel release; reactions are not described.

Botulinum toxin yes. Facial fillers better postponed if eyes and nose are very swollen – the result is otherwise hard to assess. Full page: Allergies

The hyaluron pen is not licensed in the EU as a medical device for this purpose and has led to complications. Professional societies and authorities advise against it.

Cosmetic needling with short needles yes; medical needling with longer needles reaching the dermis is a medical act. Full page: Salon or practice?

No. Botulinum toxin is prescription-only and for physician use. For fillers the legal situation has tightened; physician use is the safe standard.

A hint, not proof. Read the critical reviews and the practice's replies – that shows how problems are handled. Full page: Choosing a practice

Yes – exercise before the treatment is no problem. Only pause afterwards.

Avoid inversions (head below heart) on the treatment day. Gentle yoga without inversions is possible from the next day. Full page: Exercise & treatment

No – as a private practice we bill you directly under the GOÄ. For an insured service contact a statutory dermatology or neurology practice.

Yes, every treatment is invoiced under the GOÄ. Whether it is deductible is decided by the tax office based on medical necessity. Full page: Insurance & reimbursement

No. Hormonal contraception affects neither botulinum toxin nor fillers. With a tendency to melasma, peels should be planned more cautiously.

No problem. There are even studies on a mood-lifting effect of frown-line treatment – but that is not a therapy. Full page: Medications

No harm is known from such cases. Please inform your gynaecologist and us; further treatment only after breastfeeding.

No. We treat only after weaning.

Only with a medical indication and in consultation with your gynaecologist – the 'beauty' infusions are not among them.

After weaning, with a gap of a few weeks. For a consultation, any time. Full page: Pregnancy & breastfeeding

After the first hours, yes. Sun does not change the effect; sunscreen is sensible anyway.

Not measurably. Avoid sauna and hot baths in the first days; after that there is no restriction. Full page: Summer & holiday

Each practice sets its own rule. At VIVA DERM the fine correction at the check-up after botulinum toxin is included in the price; for additional filler the material used is charged.

No, there is no antidote. The effect wears off noticeably after eight to twelve weeks. Full page: Unhappy – what now?

Yes, if you do not want further reflection time after the consultation. But you may postpone at any time.

You can ask any time before treatment – also via WhatsApp or phone. Full page: Informed consent (§ 630e BGB)

No. Any licensed physician may use botulinum toxin; the certificate proves additional specialisation.

The DGBT runs a public physician search on its website. Full page: DGBT

Because it is not legally permitted for Botox and filler treatments. What is realistic is discussed in the consultation.

Factual information about risks, no promises of success, guide prices per GOÄ, treatment by a physician. Full page: HWG (German Health Advertising Act)

Yes, as a self-payer. Aesthetic treatments are not covered by statutory insurance anyway.

Yes, a GOÄ invoice with all items – also for your records or private insurance. Full page: Private practice

Katayoun Mostaghimi personally – from the examination and injection through to the follow-up conversation.

Specialist in general medicine, medical studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, certified by the German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Toxin Therapy (DGBT). She does not hold a doctoral title.

German, English and Farsi.

Yes. Before every treatment you discuss the procedure, effect, durability, possible side effects and alternatives. This consultation is required by German law (§ 630e BGB) and cannot be replaced by information on a website.

Yes. A consultation without a subsequent treatment is charged at a flat 50 €. Full page: About the physician