Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin is a medicinal biological product produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Known to medicine since 1820, it received the first FDA (Food and Drug administration) approval in 1989 for human use, therefore it is the most studied medicinal product worldwide in terms of safety and effectiveness.

Today, in medicine, botulinum toxin has over 30 uses – to treat muscle spasms, migraines, strabismus, lazy eye (amblyopia), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), overactive bladder, upper limb spasticity in people with cerebral palsy and stroke, temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Since 1989 continuous medical research has been conducted and the use of botulinum toxin is increasingly being used by various medical specialties, expanding its indications.
In aesthetic medicine, botulinum toxin is used to treat superficial and medium-deep mimic wrinkles.

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Who is botulinum toxin therapy suitable for?

It is an outdated belief that Botox should be used when deep facial wrinkles are already present – around the 40s. Prevention is extremely important – its use in order to delay the signs of aging, which in some patients begins after 25 years.

If you have a very strong facial expression, denser skin with pores and a genetic predisposition to the formation of deep facial lines, then do not delay the injection of botulinum toxin, because this is your only scientifically proven guarantee for the prevention of aging and deepening of wrinkles.

In which areas is botulinum toxin applied?

It is most often placed in the upper part of the face – the glabella (anger wrinkle), forehead and the area around the eyes. As previously these 3 areas were separated, now it is considered that the muscles in them are mutually intertwined with each other and their simultaneous treatment is recommended to preserve the natural expression and position of the eyebrows.
The doctors on our team are highly experienced and qualified to inject botulinum toxin in other areas as well, for example:

Muscles of mastication
Neck
Area around the lips
Chin
Trapezius muscles of the back
Armpits
Palms
Feet

How long does the effect last?

Studies show that the average duration of action of botulinum toxin is 4 months, and in some patients this period is longer and in others less, depending on individual characteristics, lifestyle, skin quality, age.

How often is botulinum toxin injection necessary?

We do not recommend placing botulinum toxin more often than 2 months in the same area. Optimally, patients should perform the procedure 3 times a year – at 4-month intervals. Thus, the effect is maintained over time and accumulates. In addition, the regular application of botulinum toxin prevents the deepening of facial expressions and, accordingly, facial wrinkles.

What should you tell your doctor about before the procedure?

Consult your doctor before the procedure if you have an autoimmune disease – Hashimoto’s, arthritis, lupus, cryoglobulinemia, as well as pollen allergies, asthma, rhinitis. Also plan your visit to the clinic, keeping in mind that for 4 hours after the procedure the head should be in an upright position, sports and physical activities should be avoided.

On the day of the procedure

Come to the clinic on time and without makeup. Write down questions that you would like to clarify with your doctor before the intervention. The clinic team will provide you with informed consents that you can review thoroughly and a copy of which will be sent to your email address. Discuss any questions that arise regarding informed consent and post-procedure care recommendations with your doctor.

How is it administered?

Botulinum toxin injection does not require anesthesia with lidocaine cream. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes per area, and intramuscular injections are given at certain points with a special insulin syringe, with which discomfort and pain are minimal.

Aftercare

After botulinum toxin injection, you can return to your normal daily activities. At some places, they leave temporary papules at the puncture sites, which disappear after 15-20 minutes. Rarely, bruises and hematomas occur, which can pass in 7-14 days. You should not lie down, stand with your head down, do sports for at least 4 hours after the intervention. It is also recommended to avoid sauna, steam room, solarium, spas and hot pools and bathtubs. For any questions you may have, you can always review the post-procedure care recommendations in the informed consent email, as well as contact the clinic’s phone numbers, we will be happy to answer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too early for me to do botox?

The application of botulinum toxin helps with smoothing out existing wrinkles, as well as prevents the apperance of new ones. In case of strong and active mimicry of the corresponding muscles, it is good to apply botulinum toxin in order to prevent the appearance of deeper wrinkles. Naturally, it is good that this happens in the age after 25-30 years.

What to do after botox injection?

After applying botox, there are several recommendations that must be followed. You should not lie down or stand in a forward or sideways position for 4-6 hours after the procedure. Injection points should not be touched or massaged. Avoid heat (sauna, spa, steam baths, solariums), cosmetic procedures in the areas within two weeks after the procedure, as well as physical exertion for several days. It is best not to fly for a week after botox application.

Is it true that the skin relaxes after botox?

When the amount or frequency of toxin administration is not excessive, side effects such as muscle and skin relaxation are not observed.

Is it possible to smooth out the wrinkles completely?

Depending on how deep they are there is a corresponding result. Wrinkles that have recently formed and are not yet visible when the muscles are in a static position, the result is usually 100 percent. Wrinkles that appear without facial movement, almost complete smoothing is also common, but very deep wrinkles may not be completely erased. Either way, there is always softening of existing wrinkles and prevention of their deepening.