What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin is a purified neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum. It temporarily reduces release of acetylcholine at selected nerve endings, thereby decreasing activity in the targeted muscle or gland; it does not indiscriminately stop communication between nerves and organs or permanently abolish organ function. In aesthetic medicine it may soften selected dynamic facial lines. It also has established medical uses, including treatment of certain forms of excessive sweating and chronic migraine, when appropriate.
For which areas is botulinum toxin used?
Wrinkle treatment
Repeated facial-muscle movement over time contributes to dynamic lines, commonly on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes. Botulinum toxin can temporarily reduce activity in selected muscles and may soften movement-related lines. The aim, dose and injection pattern should be individualized to preserve a natural expression; complete removal of lines or a younger-looking face cannot be guaranteed.
Facial contouring
Botox injection can help reduce the height in the middle of the eyebrows, which causes a surprised facial appearance by lifting the eyebrows from the tail part.
Prominent display of the upper gum when smiling may be an aesthetic concern for some people. Botulinum toxin may be considered after an individualized assessment.
Masseter (chewing muscle) Hypertrophy: Unlike treatments in other areas, botox treatment to the masseter muscle is not done for wrinkles, but especially for patients with a noticeably enlarged masseter muscle to soften the square face appearance and achieve an oval face. In this way, a thinner and more feminine face appearance is achieved.
Treatment for excessive sweating
Botulinum toxin can reduce sweating by temporarily blocking cholinergic nerve signaling to sweat glands. It may be considered for selected cases of excessive sweating, including palms or underarms, after assessment. Response varies, it does not treat every cause of body odor, and benefit cannot be guaranteed.
Botox is applied to the areas where excessive sweating is detected with the tests performed before the treatment. The effect of this treatment usually lasts for up to 6 months.
Migraine treatment
Botox treatment is performed in a total of 31 injection points with thinner needle tips in 7 different areas such as the head and neck. The treatment is planned individually for the person and is usually carried out at intervals of 12 weeks, with at least 2 treatment periods. While in some patients, repetition of injections may be necessary for treatment efficacy, in some patients, the efficacy may continue for several years.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
- Number of Sessions: 1
- Procedure Duration: 20 Minutes
- Longevity of Results: 3–6 Months
- Hospitalization: None
- Duration of Tenderness: 1 Hour
- Return to Work Time: Immediately
- Anaesthesia: Topical Anesthetic Cream
- Season: All Seasons
