Botulinum toxin

  • Type of treatment
    micro-injections
  • Duration of treatment
    15-30 minutes
  • Duration of result
    3-6 months

Description

Botulinum toxin is a drug that allows you to temporarily inhibit the action of the facial mimic muscles by reducing the formation of expression lines. There are 7 types of botulinum neurotoxin (A, B, C1, D, E, F and G) derived from strains of the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum that are highly selected.

Those strains that are applicable to the human being and that are currently on the market are:

  • Type A (Vistabex, Vistabel, Botox, Botoxin, Dysport, Azzalure and Bocouture)
  • Type B (Myobloc and Neurobloc).

It was initially used in medicine to prevent neuromuscular spasms of the eyelids and to correct strabismus. But, starting in 1987 it began to be used in the United States also in the field of aesthetic medicine. In Italy the use of botulinum toxin was authorized by the Ministry of Health in 2004. The use was limited to a single type of drug called:

  • Vistabex (in Italy)
  • Botox (in the United States)
  • Vistabel (in France)

Botulinum toxin is indicated for the treatment of expression lines on the upper part of the face, although the drug has only been approved for the treatment of glabellar lines (i.e., wrinkles that form between the eyebrows). Specifically, it is indicated for the treatment of mimic wrinkles (expression lines), frontal wrinkles, wrinkles and glabellar furrows (between the eyebrows), crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes), gummy smile (gum smile), axillary hyperhidrosis, hyperhidrosis of feet and hands.

Indications

Anti-wrinkle botox blocks communication between the nerve and the muscle, thus exerting what is called “a muscle relaxant action” (that is, it relaxes the muscle). With the relaxation of the mimic muscles, therefore, there is a reduction and smoothing of the furrows and wrinkles caused by their continuous contraction.

Another important indication for the use of botulinum toxin is “hyperhidrosis”, ie excessive sweating under the arms, hands or feet that can be effectively eliminated with this treatment. Another method to eliminate hyperhidrosis can be focused ultrasound and the ND: YAG laser

Use

The use of botulinum toxin is not recommended for patients under the age of 18 or over 65 and pregnant women.

Botulinum toxin is injected in very small doses into the affected regions using a syringe with a very thin needle. Injections are carried out inside the mimic muscles and leave no visible marks. The overall effect lasts for about 6 months, based on the characteristics of the patient’s skin and lifestyle. It is possible to repeat the treatment periodically. In the event of interruption, the skin area slowly resumes the characteristics prior to the treatment.

The treatment does not require any type of anesthesia as it is practically painless.

Botulinum toxin therapy does not normally have side effects: the most common of all, which occurs on rare occasions, is bruising at the injection site, linked to a mild headache and a feeling of skin tension. In general, however, as we have said, botulinum treatment has no side effects and is much less invasive than surgery.

Duration

Treatment with botulinum toxin is reversible, it lasts a few minutes and leaves no visible after-effects that may prevent the immediate resumption of daily activities. This explains its great success and rapid spread in the aesthetic field.

Results

Botulinum toxin, by temporarily inhibiting the action of the mimic muscles of the face, reduces the formation of expression lines. The effect of relaxation of the mimic muscles and the attenuation of wrinkles begins about 4 days after treatment and lasts about 3-6 months, after which the treatment can be repeated periodically. The aesthetic result in the treated regions is so satisfactory that in recent years botulinum toxin has practically replaced forehead lift surgery. The treatment with botulinum toxin naturally and harmoniously relaxes expression lines on the forehead and around the eyes, giving the eyes a fresh and rested appearance.

Costs

Botulinum toxin has a cost that depends on the quantity of product used. For small areas treated, the cost can vary from € 150 up to a complete facial treatment which costs around € 500.

FAQ

We hear more and more often about botox, botulinum toxin and botulinum-based creams, etc. What are they?
Botox is the English trade name for botulinum neurotoxin. There are seven types of botulinum neurotoxin. Those usable in humans and currently on the market are type A (Vistabex, Vistabel, Azzalure, Botox, Botoxin, Dysport) and type B (Myobloc and Neurobloc). In Italy the use of botulinum toxin was authorized by the Ministry of Health in 2004 limited to a single type of drug called Vistabex (in Italy), Botox (in England and the United States) or Vistabel (in France) which can be used only by specialists in plastic surgery, dermatology, neurology or maxillofacial surgery. Botulinum toxin is a drug that allows you to temporarily inhibit the action of the facial mimic muscles by reducing the formation of expression lines. Peptide-based creams, on the other hand, do not give a Botox-effect, but are perfect for those who want a more relaxed effect on their face.
Is botulinum toxin safe?
Absolutely. At first, botulinum toxin was used in medicine to prevent neuromuscular spasms of the eyelids and to correct strabismus, but starting from 1987 it began to be used in the United States also in the field of cosmetic surgery. In Italy, the use of botulinum toxin was authorized by the Ministry of Health in 2004 for the sole treatment of glabellar wrinkles in patients under the age of 65, provided that the preparation is injected by a specialized doctor. In all these years there have never been serious side effects to the use of this drug, but as with all drugs it is always possible that the patient develops allergies and intolerances to the toxin or to some excipient.
How long does the procedure take?
Treatment with Botox is outpatient, without hospitalization and without anesthesia and it lasts about 15-20 minutes. The drug is injected with a very thin needle in minimal quantities into the mimic muscles. During the treatment you may have a tingling sensation similar to a pinprick. After the infiltration, the face is slightly reddened only in the places where the injection was made and only for a few minutes. Occasionally a small bruise may appear but it tends to reabsorb within a few days. After 10 minutes of infiltration, it is possible to put on make-up, return to work and carry on with normal daily activities. It is recommended to wait about ten days before sun exposure.
How long does the effect of Botox last?
Botox infiltrations begin to take effect 4 days after treatment and last for 3-6 months.
Are there side effects?
Sometimes there may be allergic reactions and very rarely there may be a drooping of the upper eyelid for a duration of 3-4 weeks. Any side effects that occur will still be temporary, reversible and minor.
Will wrinkles get worse if I stop treatment?
Since Botox temporarily inhibits the contraction of mimic muscles, expression lines will gradually begin to reappear if treatment is interrupted.
Does Botox alter the physiognomy of the face?
Botox has the effect of relaxing only the muscle into which it is injected and is used in minimal quantities suitable for treating facial furrows. For this reason, injections of an adequate amount of Botox guarantee a natural expression and do not alter the physiognomy of the face.
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
Botox is indicated for the treatment of expression lines (dynamic wrinkles) caused by the contraction of the facial muscles. Fillers, on the other hand, are used for the correction of static wrinkles due to skin aging which tends to lose its ability to regenerate subcutaneous tissue over time by creating depressions. Fillers are used to fill these depressions by lifting the skin and smoothing out wrinkles.
Can botulinum toxin also be used to reduce excessive sweating?
Of course, it is an effective remedy against hyperhidrosis, that is excessive underarm sweating, in the hands or feet. It can be effectively eliminated with a botulinum-based treatment.
Eleana Ferrari - expert advice - consigli per il paziente

Prof. Dr. Eleana Ferrari Papassava

Surgeon, Biochemist and Nutritionist who mainly practices in Italy, England and Cyprus. With a long family tradition of medicine and wellness care, Eleana is known for her holistic approach with patients, which allows her to harmonize the search for aesthetic improvement with the overall well-being of the individual.