Why is botulinum toxin used to treat wrinkles?
Botulinum toxin is a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When injected in very small amounts into a particular muscle, it causes weakness or paralysis of that muscle. If that muscle causes frowning or wrinkling, the frown or wrinkle lines can be reduced or disappear. The effects of botulinum toxin are temporary and usually lasts for approximately 3-6 months. Several muscle groups can be treated at the same time.
There are many types of botulinum toxin. Some common examples include onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®️), incobotulinumtoxinA (XEOMIN®️), and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®️).
What are the areas that can be treated with botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxin is most commonly used to treat horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows and wrinkles at the sides of the eyes. In addition, botulinum toxin can help reduce unwanted wrinkling due to excessive muscle activity such as bunny lines, cobblestoning or dimpling of the chin, radial lines around the lips and platysmal bands on the neck. Some other desirable effects of botulinum toxin include facial lifting (dermalift), improving the skin texture, slimming of face for people with overdeveloped masseter muscles, reduced sweating and preventative purposes in younger adults.
What can I expect on the day of botulinum toxin treatment?
A topical anaesthetic cream can be applied before the procedure to reduce discomfort. Botulinum toxin will be injected with a very fine needle. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes.
What must I do after the botulinum toxin treatment?
Do
- Stay in an upright posture for four hours following treatment.
Don’t
- Massage or apply heat to the treatment area
- Participate in activities that cause flushing (such as exercising, consuming alcohol, and hot tub use) on the day of treatment
- Swim
When are results visible?
Improvements usually begin to appear within a few days, with full effect seen by the second week. Results typically last 3 to 4 months.
