Information on aesthetic application of botulinum toxin (Botox)
What is botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxine is a protein produced by a bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) that blocks nerve impulses from being transferred to the muscle at the neuromuscular junction, switching off the innervation of the muscle and inhibiting its motion.
What is botulinum toxin used for and how does it work?
Mimic muscles cause creases on the face, creating the so-called dynamic creases, namely wrinkles. Inhibiting these muscular movements, as a causal treatment, may paralyse the function of a particular mimic muscle for 3-5 months, thus smoothing out the wrinkles.
With the loss of the muscle paralyzing effect, muscle motions slowly return, with the result being the slow reappearance of the wrinkles. It is due to this that gradual development is followed by a slow ceasing of the effect, resulting in a longer-lasting aesthetic effect, which may be longer compared to the muscle paralyzing effect.
It is also suitable for inhibiting excessive sweating of the armpits!
What inconveniences are to be expected?
The active substance is injected by needle in the appropriate amounts and at the appropriate points of the muscle. It may cause some discomfort, even a burning sensation that may be stopped with local cooling within minutes.
With respect to that the material is injected by needle, it may cause injury to the capillaries, leading to bruises.
At the injection site, tiny wounds, swelling may occur. 2 to 3 days after the treatment of the forehead/area between the eyebrows, an oedema around the eyes may develop that disappears within 1-2 days when cooled locally.
When will its effect become visible?
The effect of Botox will become apparent 5 to 6 days after its injection; it becomes increasingly difficult to wilfully move the treated muscle and then ceases to move entirely, then the skin smoothes within some weeks.
What to do and not to do after the injection of Botox?
After the injection exercising the treated muscle facilitates better diffusion of the substance within the muscle tissue, resulting in a more even distribution. Patients are asked not to lie down for 4 to 5 hours after the injection since gravitation may make the substance migrate to other, non-desired regions. Use of a solarium or sauna should be avoided for some days.
