Botox

Indications for the use of botulinum toxin:

1. Typical wrinkles corrected with botulinum toxin: horizontal forehead wrinkles, vertical and horizontal wrinkles in the glabella area (so-called frown lines), radially arranged wrinkles in the area of the lateral canthus (so-called crow's feet);
2. Wrinkles that can be smoothed with botulinum toxin, but the treatment outcome is not certain: wrinkles around the mouth (so-called smoker's lines), platysmal bands;
3. Excessive sweating of the feet, hands, and armpits (typical indication; botulinum toxin yields good results);
4. Headaches (one of the neurological indications for the use of botulinum toxin);
5. Improvement of eyebrow position – lifting of the lateral parts of the eyebrows;
6. Lifting of the corners of the mouth;
7. Correction of the so-called gummy smile (excessive exposure of gums during laughter);
8. Treatment of bruxism – this also improves the facial oval (injection of botulinum toxin into the masseter muscles);
9. Improvement of the appearance of a facial scar after surgical correction;
10. Botulinum toxin can be used as an additional treatment after facial plastic surgeries to optimize the result, e.g., correction of wrinkles on the forehead, in the glabella area, and in the area of the lateral canthi after a facelift;

Type of anesthesia

the procedure is performed without anesthesia;
At the patient's request, a cream with a local anesthetic (Emla) can be applied before the procedure.

Procedure duration

10 min;

Stay in clinic

30 min after the procedure, you can leave the clinic; cooling the treated area is recommended during this time

Initial effect of the procedure

after 24-48 h;

Final effect

after 2 weeks;

Duration of effect

approximately 3 – 6 months; the effect gradually subsides between the 3rd and 6th month;

Follow-up examinations:

after 14 days (local condition check); if necessary, an additional small dose of the drug can be injected to optimize the result;

Medications:

For any bruising, arnica ointments can be used;

bruising usually does not occur;

Recovery period:

for 48 hours, one should not eat spicy and very hot foods, and should not perform strenuous physical exertion; facial flushing can wash out the medication from the injection site and reduce the effect of the procedure; 

Swelling usually subsides after a few hours.

Bruising usually does not occur; if it occurs, it subsides within 7-14 days (it can be easily concealed with makeup).

Return to mental work immediately after the procedure; to physical work after 48 hours.

Engaging in sports after 48 hours.

Complications

1. Insufficient correction – requires an additional procedure;
2. Overcorrection – requires waiting until the drug's effect ceases;
3. Drug penetration into unintended areas may cause: eyelid ptosis, double vision (this happens extremely rarely, I personally have not encountered this complication). One should wait until the drug's effect ceases;