No matter how much we take care of our skin to keep it looking young, over the years, despite our best efforts, wrinkles appear that can no longer be smoothed out with creams or masks.
If your friend suddenly rejuvenates for a few years and tells you about a cucumber mask with miraculous powers, don’t believe it! A quick, effective and safe way to outsmart nature and restore youthfulness without surgical intervention is Botox injections.
Botulinum toxin injections have undoubtedly become one of the most effective and popular of all aesthetic and therapeutic procedures in recent years. Injected intramuscularly, botulinum toxin blocks nerve impulses, resulting in a strong weakening of muscle contractions, and is an extremely effective tool for smoothing out expression lines and anger wrinkles. Botulinum toxin injections are also used to treat sweating, back pain, chronic migraines, muscle spasms and other conditions. Botulinum toxin injections are short-acting and need to be repeated to maintain the effect, and once the procedure has been stopped, the muscle activity recovers and side effects are very rare.
Botulinum acid injections are for:
- For wrinkles – anger, forehead, laugh lines around the eyes;
- Correction of lip, chin wrinkles;
- Treatment of hyperhidrosis (increased sweating);
- Treatment of chronic migraines;
- Treatment of muscle spasms, other neurological diseases.
What do I need to know about the botulinum toxin procedure?
- Injection sites are lubricated with a local anaesthetic and a small amount of diluted botulinum toxin is injected into the skin using a fine needle;
- The procedure lasts between 15 and 90 minutes, depending on whether the treatment is for wrinkle reduction or sweating. Botulinum toxin starts to work 1-3 days after injection, with the maximum effect being reached on day 7-10. The effects last for 6-12 months;
- For maximum results, it is sometimes necessary to repeat the procedure after a week or two.
- Do not take blood thinners or alcohol for 24 hours before the procedure;
- Do not massage the injected area for 24 hours after the injections;
- It is recommended to avoid direct sunlight, solarium, sauna for about a week after the injections;
- Botulinum injections can only be performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons;
- The cost of botulinum injections depends on the procedure performed and the area to be corrected and the amount of product.
Botox (VISTABEL) is a product manufactured by the US company Allergan, whose only factory is located in Westport, Ireland.
The first observations on botulinum as a muscle relaxant and, as a consequence, as a painful antispasmodic agent date back to the 1950s. Botulinum is used in ophthalmology for the treatment of strabismus 30 years later. It was then that the pleasant side effects of botulinum injections were first noted, which later became its main purpose: correction of wrinkles. In 1989, the American company Allergan was the first to produce botulinum on an industrial scale. Since then, it has been a key tool in combating the early signs of skin ageing.
Botulinum injections are performed in the area of the face that is more prone to wrinkles. These areas are usually the vertical wrinkles between the eyes, the horizontal wrinkles of the forehead and the wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes.
Wrinkles are not only a sign of age, but also a sign of emotions and stress. All wrinkles are divided into: mimic, structural and chronic (or age-related).
Botulinum can certainly be considered a panacea for wrinkles, especially when it comes to facial wrinkles. The principle behind the formation of the latter is simple: repeated muscle contractions cause corresponding contractions and stretching of the dermis, with the subsequent formation of skin wrinkles. The myorelaxant (relaxant) effect of botulinum toxin blocks this process. Unfortunately, structural wrinkles (determined by the structural characteristics of the face) and age lines (caused by thinning of the dermal layer of the skin, degradation of the skin’s structural proteins in the context of hormonal changes in the background of old age) are not susceptible to botulinum toxin. Botulinum does not in itself have a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
The most common question asked by patients:
“At what age can I start using botulinum toxin”?
In principle, botulinum can be used for cosmetic purposes between the ages of 18 and 65. The most common advice is to start botulinum injections from the age of 30, when the skin starts to lose elasticity and facial wrinkles start to form intensively. If you have persistent wrinkles, botulinum injections can be started at a younger age for preventive purposes.
Botulinum and its safety is a topic that should be discussed separately. Some patients are wary of this product because they believe it is harmful to the body and even poisons it. It is also believed that botulinum can cause nervous disorders, but this is not the case. Botulinum is a medicinal product, and it was even the first to be used in the treatment of neurological diseases. In addition, it has been used successfully to treat many other illnesses, including those of children.
Botulinum injections do not cause muscle atrophy because they only temporarily block nerve receptors, which results in restrictions in motor activity. Botulinum injections smooth out wrinkles due to the long-term muscle relaxation.
Botulinum injections
How is the procedure performed?
The botulinum injection procedure starts with a consultation with your doctor. It is the doctor who determines whether this procedure is possible. Here, the patient signs a consent form for the procedure after being informed of all the possible side effects and consequences of the procedure. The patient is placed on a couch in a semi-recumbent position. After cleansing the skin, the product is injected intramuscularly with a fine needle (depending on the injection area). On average, the botulinum injection procedure takes about 15 minutes. After the injection, ice is placed on the skin for 10-15 minutes.
Botulinum does not cause much pain and many people liken botulinum injections to mosquito bites, but if you have a high pain threshold, you will be given a local anaesthetic: a special cream with an anaesthetic will be applied to the injection area.
The injections may cause a slight discomfort, like a feeling of heaviness in the muscles, but this quickly passes.
Insensitivity to botulinum is very rare and affects approximately 0.1-2% of all people.
Usually the effects of botulinum injection are noticeable on the 2nd-5th day after injection. It peaks on day 10-14 and lasts about 4-6 months. After this period, botulinum injections can be repeated.
Of course, like any preparation, botulinum has its contraindications:
- Myasthenia
- Blood clotting disorders
- Inflammatory and/or infectious processes in the injection areas
- Exacerbation of common diseases
- Use of preparations such as: antibiotics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, relanium
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Age under 12 years
In addition, it is not advisable to administer botulinum at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
Do not forget about precautions! Alcohol should not be drunk the day before botulinum injections, as this may increase the risk of bruising and bruising. It is recommended not to keep your head down for long periods of time the day after the procedure. If the head is lowered for a long time, the blood circulation in the facial area will be increased and the product may not be distributed correctly. For this reason, it is advisable to refrain from massages during which it is necessary to lie face down. Also, avoid routine household chores: ironing, vacuuming and washing the floor are not recommended (as the head will be lowered).
After the treatment, touching and massaging the injection site is strictly forbidden, as is staying upright for at least 4 hours, and during the day, constant tension of the facial muscles. Avoid alcoholic beverages for 10 days after the botulinum injection and avoid overheating, such as hot baths, steam baths and saunas.
Safety of the procedure, side effects
Botulinum has been used worldwide for more than 35 years and its safety has been confirmed by most healthcare organisations. Adverse effects from the use of botulinum are only possible if the procedure is carried out by a non-professional. Dear women, please note that only doctors with special training are authorised to administer botulinum products.
All the benefits of the injection will disappear if the procedure is performed by an inexperienced doctor!
Complications:
- Reversible upper eyelid drop (incidence 0.14%)
- Eyebrow drop (less than 1%)
- Hesitation in the eyes (2%)
- Eyelid swelling (0.14%)
Side effects:
- Pain at the injection site (incidence 1.3%)
- Headache (2%)
- Injection site haemorrhage (6%)
- Numbness at injection site (less than 1%)
- Allergy (less than 1%)
Don’t forget that there are many counterfeits on the pharmaceutical market! And if you are offered botulinum injections at a low price, be sure to think twice!
Botulinum in combination with other medicines
Many women often ask whether other anti-wrinkle products can be given together with botulinum. The answer is: yes, it is possible. It is possible, for example, to combine botulinum injections with hyaluronic acid injections. However, it should be remembered that it must be at least two weeks after the botulinum injections before you can start the hyaluronic acid injections.
Peels can only be done 3 weeks after botulinum injections. If you have already had an exfoliation, you will need to postpone the botulinum treatment and wait until your skin has fully recovered from the exfoliation. Photorejuvenation can be combined with botulinum injections, but remember that after photorejuvenation, the neurotoxin is removed from the skin faster.
