MIRABEL - clinic for aesthetic, clinical dermatology and venereology

BOTULINUM TOXIN – BOTOX Removal of mimic wrinkles

Botulinum toxin BTX is a medication - a powerful toxin which blocks the messages sent from the nerve to the muscle or to the sweat gland and as a result it can prevent the muscle or gland from performing their functions.

Safety

In high concentrations BTX is a very powerful toxin, but in small quantities it is completely safe. The first effect becomes visible about 48 hours after it has been injected in the muscle, whereas its full effect can be seen in 2 weeks. One of the advantages of Botox is that after a certain period of time complete recovery of the muscle is achieved. This recovery of the function of the muscle becomes possible thanks to the ability of the body of self-recovery by the formation of new transmitters which reactivate the muscle.

BTX is effective for face wrinkles treatment. Significant improvement is observed in the treatment of forehead wrinkles and crow's feet around the eyes. There are no side effects aside from the discomfort felt during injections. The effect for forehead wrinkles lasts for about 17 weeks.

The pain can be reduced if the targeted area is cooled before the injection.

The injected area may appear bruised, especially if it is around the eyes, and the patient can experience a short-term pain and headache. This pain can be greater for patients who have taken aspirin or other blood thinners before the procedure. The bruises can be reduced if the patient takes Arnica tablets for 4 days before and 4 days after the procedure. Applying ice to the area will also help avoid bruises.

Anti-inflammatory medications can also thin your blood which will lead to longer bleeding and more bruises. The intake of such medications should be ceased at least 4 days before the procedure and such should not be taken for 4 days after the procedure. Re-injections are recommendable once every 3-4 months, because this will keep the muscles paralyzed and will allow the lines and wrinkles to smooth out completely. When the treated area has been smoothed out, the patients are advised to come for re-injection when they start to feel that the muscle function has been restored, which can happen in 4-12 months, or more.

Although there has been no evidence of birth defects due to the use of the toxin, we maintain the practice of not injecting Botox in pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.

Botox should not be applied to patients with neuromuscular disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis.

Patients who are taking the following medications may feel a stronger effect on their muscles when injected with Botox: aminoglycoside antibiotics, penicillin or calcium blockers. There have been no complaints of real allergic reactions. Temporary drooping of one or both eyelids is the gravest complication which can occur, but this happens in less than 1% of the cases. This may come as a result of the local distribution of toxin in the injected area, and it can be minimized by exact dosing and by keeping the patient in an upright position for 3-4 hours after the injection. If such drooping of the eyelid does occur, it is usually minimal and it goes away within 2 weeks. Also, an injection with some of the fillers, such as the Restylane plus Botox will have a better effect in deep wrinkles.

 

 

Botox