What is the botulinum toxin?
One of the most popular Aesthetic Plastic treatments for slowing down aging. The botulinum toxin infusion contains a type A protein that causes reversible chemical denervation in the muscles to reduce their rate of contraction. The constant contraction of the muscles is what triggers the formation of wrinkles on the skin and thanks to the botulinum toxin, expression wrinkles are reduced or softened and the face looks more relaxed and radiant.
Botulinum toxin treatment is applied to the face and neck area, i.e. in places where the human expressiveness is intense. Specifically, the infusion can be done:
- in the forehead
- in the middle eyebrow (in the area between the eyebrows)
- around the eyes (crow’s feet)
- on the nose (bunny lines)
- on the upper and lower lip
- on the gingival smile line (gum lift towards the lip)
- on the chin
- on the neck
- in the general area of the face
- Who is it for?
There is no age limit, because the rate of aging and the needs of the skin vary, and the degree of expressiveness varies from person to person. It is usually indicated around the age of 30-35, when the first signs of aging appear, in both women and men.
- Is the procedure painful?
Botulinum toxin treatment is safe and painless. The candidate may feel a small sting when the needle penetrates the surface of the skin.
- What complications may occur?
The Plastic Surgeon needs to be experienced and knowledgeable in solution injection techniques. Some complications may occur due to the candidate’s non-compliance but are manageable. After treatment you may notice slight irritation, ecchymoses and headaches that subside in a few days and maybe some asymmetries that can be corrected immediately. Eyelid drooping can occur much more rarely, which subsides over a short period of time.
- How long does the procedure last?
The process of treatment with botulinum toxin lasts 10 – 20 minutes.
- How is the procedure conducted?
The process is simple and carried out in a short time. The points of interest are initially drawn in pencil. Then, local intramuscular injections of the protein begin to inhibit muscle contraction.
- How is hyaluronic acid different from botulinum toxin treatment?
Hyaluronic acid has a complementary role in the treatment with botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is used either to eliminate aging and expression wrinkles or to fade them by softening them, while hyaluronic acid is usually used to give some volume to areas such as the lips or to fill in the wrinkles.
- In how many days can one return to their daily activities?
The person concerned can return to their activities immediately after the end of the treatment. Just follow some medical tips to help avoid any complications. Those are:
- Do not lift weights or bend over.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
- Lie down after 3-4 hours of treatment.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
- Do not allow the affected area to come into contact with hot water for 2-3 days.
- Avoid massaging the area of interest.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 1 day.
- When is re-treatment with botulinum toxin recommended?
The candidate for botulinum toxin treatment can have it performed in the long run as many times as they wish. The repetition of the session is indicated 2-3 times a year with a break of 4-6 months. However, excessive infusion of botulinum toxin enforces the body’s immunity to it and therefore the impossibility of achieving the desired results.
It is worth noting that treatment with botulinum toxin can be stopped at any time, if there are some personal doubts, without consequences and worsening of the skin. The effect of the infusion will be maintained for as long as the effect of the solution lasts, i.e. for 4-6 months. For a more permanent result, a careful sequence of sessions with the Plastic Surgeon is recommended.
- Results
The results are obvious after about 4 days and are perfected in about 15 days. The face is refreshed, and the looks smooth, without wrinkles. Consistent implementation of long-term treatment ensures a lasting effect. However, the duration is a controversial factor because it depends on the skin type, age and degree of expressiveness.