What is Botox?
Botox is a drug made from botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known. It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Its toxin causes botulism, a deadly disease.
In medicine, the purified form of botulinum toxin type A and botulinum toxin type B is used. Diluted, purified, low doses of botulinum toxin are used in strictly controlled units for the treatment of patients.
How is Botox used in medicine?
The use of Botox started 60 years ago, when it was used in ophthalmology to treat strabismus. It was then noticed that the area around the eyes of these patients loses wrinkles, and the skin becomes smooth and shiny. Because of that discovery, its application was extended to aesthetic dermatology, for the treatment of mimic wrinkles on the forehead and the region around the eyes.
Modern applications of Botox:
- • Treatment of urinary incontinence caused by excessive detrusor activity (spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis)
- • Migraine prophylaxis
- • Cervical dystonia
- • Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating affecting the underarm or other smaller areas
- • Blepharospasm
- • Strabismus
- • Hypersalivation
- • Wrinkle treatment of the forehead and around the eyes
When does the effect Botox start and how long does it last?
After the application, there is no change in appearance, i.e. muscle function. After 24 hours, the effect begins, and the end result can be seen 10 days after the application. Only then, the transmission of impulses from the nerve to the muscle is interrupted, preventing the excessive muscle contraction. This effect lasts between 3 and 6 months, and after that period the nerve and muscle fibres fully recover.
Botox can be used repeatedly for years, without fear that it will deform your face over time or make you addicted.
View this post on Instagram
Botox in aesthetic dermatology
Small doses of Botox applied to specific muscles block chemical signals, preventing excessive muscle contractions. This effectively prevents the formation of wrinkles on the treated regions of the face.
Also, Botox treatment significantly reduces already deeply incised wrinkles.
Botox is successfully used for: asymmetry of eyelids or eyebrows, furrows on the forehead, wrinkles in the corners and around the eyes, wrinkles on the forehead between the eyebrows as well as wrinkles on the nose and around the nose. According to recent studies, Botox boosts collagen production, so the surface of the treated skin has better quality.
In order for a person to maintain a natural facial expression, with the usual movement of the eyebrows, Botox is not applied to certain regions of the forehead, because it is not desirable to completely block all the muscles.
Botox injections are completely safe when they are administered by a trained and experienced professional. The doctor needs to show the patient the bottle that will be used for the treatment. If there is no label with information about the origin, concentration and shelf life, the treatment is not safe and patient should not accept it.
Botox can reduce mimic wrinkles on the upper half of the face. Wrinkles caused by long-term sun exposure need to be treated with lasers, their reduction with Botox can carry certain risks that a doctor should discuss with the patient.
Side effects and contraindications
The ability of Botox to straighten or significantly reduce deeply incised wrinkles on the face, makes it one of the best-selling procedures in the world in 2014. In the United States alone, 3.5 million Botox treatments have been reported, and it is estimated that every year the popularity of this treatment increases by 20%.
Side effects are extremely rare. In the first 7 days of the treatment of the forehead region, tension headaches, runny nose or flu symptoms may appear, and, very rarely, eyelid swelling. It is possible for the Botox to cause droopy eyelids and poor eyelid closure, but that is a consequence of incorrect application of the toxin, not the drug itself. If something like this happens, it will take 2 to 4 months for the eyelid function to completely recover.
It is contraindicated in people who have any muscle weakness disease.
Botox – Price
All the prices for Botox treatments are available in our Price list.
Botox: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hair Botox?
Injecting the Botulinum toxin into the scalp, according to a number of studies, leads to stimulation of hair follicles to regenerate and help hair growth.
Can Botox help with sweating?
Botox acts on the sweat glands by preventing muscle contraction in the sweat gland ducts, thus reducing the secretion of sweat. It can completely stop sweating on the armpit, forehead, head and significantly reduce it on the palms and soles of the feet.
Is Botox safe during pregnancy?
The application of Botox in pregnancy is prohibited because it is not known whether Botulinum toxin can have an effect on fetal development. If applied before pregnancy, it cannot have an effect on the fetus even if it still has an effect on the muscles.
How long does facial Botox last?
The effect can last from 4 to 6 months. Depending on the rate of metabolism, the amount of units used, the amount of antibodies. By injecting a small amount of Botulinum toxin, the so-called Baby Botox, effect is reduced to 2 to 3 months.
How often do you need to inject Botox?
The application of Botulinum toxin needs to be performed every 6 months to a year.
When does Botox start showing effect?
The full effect of Botox shows within 10 to 14 days from the application. Some patients start showing effect after 24 hours and some after 4 days.
References:
– Botulinum toxin: examining duration of effect in facial aesthetic applications
– The interactions between botulinum-toxin-based facial treatments and embodied emotions
– A Study to Evaluate the Impact of Near-Infrared Vein Mapping on Outcomes and Satisfaction After Botox/Filler Treatment
Our Services
All types of dermatological examinations and interventions, aesthetic treatments and surgical interventions
