ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS: BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX)

Botulinum toxin injections are among the leading aesthetic medicine treatments for the treatment and prevention of skin aging.

Botulinum toxin is used to erase the wrinkles of the upper face, in one session and for several months, but always with a natural result, without freezing.

It rejuvenates the face and brightens the eyes. It softens the forehead, smoothing out the wrinkles caused by negative emotions.

WHERE DO EXPRESSION LINES COME FROM?

Our face is made up of a total of 43 muscles and is therefore constantly in motion. Over time, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and thickness and dries out. This is due to a decrease in the production of collagen, elastin fibers and hyaluronic acid.

The skin around the eyes, which is very fragile and thin, and that of the forehead, is constantly solicited due to the contraction of the skin muscles of the upper face, which express our emotions: anger, sadness, joy, anxiety…

Over time, our skin becomes marked. These dynamic wrinkles, known as expression lines, can be seen when we move our face and then, as time goes by, the furrows deepen and appear even when we are at rest: vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows (lion’s wrinkle) which give us a stern look, horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet wrinkles (outside edge of the eye) and wrinkles under the eyes.

These more or less visible grooves give a frowning, tired, sad look and age the face.

Botulinum toxin not only prevents the appearance of these expression lines at rest, but also smoothes the areas where they have already begun to appear.

BOTULINUM TOXIN, HOW DOES IT WORK?

Botulinum toxin acts on the muscle by relaxing it and slightly paralyzing its activity. In concrete terms, targeted injections of botulinum toxin momentarily block the transmission of information between the neuron and the muscle, without damaging the muscle itself.

Thus, without too much contraction, the expression wrinkle no longer exists, which explains why botulinum toxin attenuates, reduces and erases expression wrinkles, particularly those in the upper third of the face.

It is used to prevent aging because the muscles are put to rest to avoid the dermal breakage they generate.

WHICH AREAS ARE TREATED WITH BOTOX?

Three areas are the preferred targets for botox injections:

• The inter-brow area (or glabella) where the lion’s wrinkle appears
• The front area
• The crow’s feet area (outer edges and under the eyes)

But other areas can be treated with botox:

• Bunny lines on the nose,
• The lower third of the face with the possibility of raising the corners of the mouth or the tip of the nose, but also to remedy the gingival smile,
• The chin, which allows to remove the orange peel aspect of it,
• The neck (DAO bitterness folds, platysmal cords)
• Botulinum toxin is also an excellent treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the armpits, hands and arch of the foot.

HOW DOES A BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTION TAKE PLACE AT DR HAVET’S PRACTICE?

During the consultation and at the beginning of the session, an information sheet will be given to you. An estimate and an informed consent will be signed. No particular preparation is necessary to have botulinum toxin injections.

After studying the anatomy of your face and its expressions, the doctor will proceed to locate the areas to be injected: he will ask you to frown or raise your eyebrows, then he will mark the points with a white pencil.

He can then proceed with the injection of micro doses of botox with a fine needle, in a very gentle way. The gesture is precise, and the session is quick and painless. The injections are very superficial.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTION?

The after-effects are simple and do not require social eviction or time off work.  The injection points are not even visible.

It is simply advised to keep your head upright for 4 hours after the injection to avoid diffusion of the product. Similarly, it is not recommended to massage the injected area for the same reasons.

As with any aesthetic procedure, it is advisable to avoid intense sports, intense sun exposure or intense heat (hammam, sauna) for the next 2 to 3 days.

A control visit is planned between 10 and 15 days later to check the stabilization of the product.

WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULT?

The action of the botulinum toxin is not immediate, although it appears quickly, within 2 or 3 days. But it is optimal after 10 or 15 days.

The effect of botulinum toxin lasts between 4 and 6 months, i.e. about 2 injections per year. But it can be longer for some people. Then, as the injections continue, the effect is prolonged to 8 to 10 months, which reduces the frequency of injections.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF BOTULINUM TOXIN?

Botulinum toxin is known for its safety.

Side effects are moderate and transient, and no serious or long-term effects have been described. Very rare headaches in the hours and days following the injection were noted.

These effects are completely reversible and transient.

BOTULINUM TOXIN: WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS?

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding
• Neuromuscular transmission diseases (myasthenia)
• Known hypersensitivity to any of the components (albumin)
• Infection or inflammation of the injection site

 Tell your doctor if you are taking anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin.

IS BOTULINUM TOXIN DANGEROUS?

No. It is a drug known for its spectacular effectiveness but also and especially for its safety. The doses used in aesthetics are much lower than the antispasmodic doses used in neurology. In fact, Botox treatments were originally used in the 1980s to treat eye disorders (strabismus, uncontrolled blinking).

No serious or long-term complications have been described. One would have to inject 650 vials to see general signs appear, whereas only one is necessary per session.

Botulinum toxin, on the other hand, should only be administered by a physician.

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Are you interested in anti-wrinkle injections? Would you like a consultation with Dr. HAVET in the West Indies? Make an appointment now.