Botulinum toxin is an exotoxin of Clostridium Botulinum A, a bacterium. This toxin prevents the nerve endings from releasing the substances necessary for muscle contraction by the nerve. Thus, botulinum toxin application helps to remove wrinkles caused by facial expressions by reducing the contraction of the muscles in the area. With aging, the strength of facial mimic muscles increases and these muscle contractions cause the skin to wrinkle both on the upper and lower face.
Botox applications have been used for more than 20 years in different branches of medicine to relieve muscle contractions. It has been used in aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology since 1992.
Botulinum toxin application cosmetic uses:
- Crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes)
- Vertical (glabellar) forehead lines
- Horizontal (frontalis) forehead lines
- rabbit lines
- Upper lip lines (Barcode lines)
- corner of mouth
- Flagstone lines (jaw)
- Horizontal necklines (rings of Venus)
- Vertical platysma bands (turkey neck)
Other uses of botulinum toxin:
- Sweating treatment (armpits, hands and soles)
- Migraine treatment
- Teeth grinding (Masseter, Temporal)
- nose tip lift
- Gummy smile
How is botulinum toxin administered?
Botox is an injection procedure. Botox is done in office conditions. The application is made with very thin needles and does not cause much pain. 20 minutes before the procedure, the area to be treated is anesthetized with local anesthetic cream. After cleaning the application areas, the formula is injected into the muscle in small doses with fine-tipped needles. The whole process takes about 25-30 minutes.
Post Process:
It is recommended not to wash the face for 1-2 hours after the application, not to apply make-up, not to massage, not to do movements such as bending and lying down. The person can return to his daily life immediately. Its effect starts in 3-4 days and the full effect is seen in about 10-14 days. After this period, it requires control. When there is insufficient effect, additional dosing and/or correction of asymmetries are made. This process is completely reversible.
How long does the effect of Botox last?
About 3 months after the application, the movement in the strong muscles begins to return. After 4 months, the movement of weak muscles begins. After 6 months, the effect disappears completely.
Who cannot be treated with botulinum toxin?
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get the injections. Those who have neuromuscular disorders or bleeding problems, and those with skin diseases in the area to be treated are not suitable candidates.
Is Botox snake venom?
Botox is not snake venom. It is a bacterial toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum.
What are the risks and complications of Botulinum Toxin application?
The operation is quite low risk. Headache can be observed at a rate of 10% in patients who have Botulinum Toxin for the first time. Some patients may experience bruising. Tiny swellings can be observed at the injection points, which disappear within half an hour. Asymmetry is a side effect that can be observed in cases of higher dose administration or in patients with initial asymmetry. Eyelid or drooping eyebrows are very rare side effects. In case of development, some improvement can be achieved with the eye drops recommended by your doctor.
Botox or Fillers?
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are preferred in the treatment of deepened and deepened wrinkles that cause skin breakage. In other words, while botox is used in the treatment of mobile wrinkles, dermal fillers are used for fixed wrinkles and face shaping. Although their mechanism of action and application areas are completely different from each other, botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are often combined with each other in non-surgical aesthetic applications.
Is Botulinum Toxin Harmful?
Botulinum toxin does not spread to the whole body, it stays where it is made, so it has no systemic side effects. After the application, temporary swelling and bruising may occur due to the needle, but it is very rare. The main problem is problems due to misapplication by incompetent people. Botulinum toxin must be made by a specialist doctor.
