Botulinum toxin

Wrinkles disappear a few days after the procedure and may reappear, often reduced from the initial time, 6 months or even 1 year after the injection.

Botulinum toxin is also increasingly used for other facial areas, even the neck, to improve muscle contractility and improve the appearance of this area.

In dermatological practice, for aesthetic use to reduce wrinkles, no significant adverse reactions have been noted.

Side effects of botulinum toxin injection procedures are minimal, mostly limited to the injection site such as: moderate burning/pain, swelling, rash, tenderness, mild bleeding or itching.

Extremely rarely, according to current clinical studies, headache (headache), anxiety, facial asymmetries, uneven wrinkle reduction, immediate hypersensitivity reactions (urticaria, oedema, anaphylaxis), blepharoptosis or photophobia may occur.

A small amount of the substance will be injected into the targeted areas with a very small needle and the discomfort is minimal. Most patients compare the sensation to that of a mild sting. No prior anaesthesia of the area is required and daily activities can be resumed immediately after the procedure.

The needles used for these treatments are very small in size and the discomfort is almost non-existent. There may be a slight pressure or stinging sensation, but this disappears very quickly.

Botulinum toxin relaxes facial muscles in desired areas to get rid of the unsightly appearance of wrinkles, while fillets fill targeted wrinkles, restoring volume. In short, botulinum toxin is a corrective as well as preventive measure for unwanted facial lines and wrinkles, and fillets are used where lost volume needs to be restored.

Botulinum toxin is an injectable muscle relaxant that blocks chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. The treatment will work locally, only on the areas of the body that have been injected.

20-30 minutes

Please wear a sleeveless top to your treatment appointment (in the case of underarms). If possible, please remove underarm hair before your appointment as this will make it easier for the doctor to do the injections.

Each affected area of your body will need several injections during the procedure and it may take 7-10 days for the results to fully take hold.To maintain the effect, you will probably need repeated treatments every six months.

Most patients feel no pain during the procedure. However, for your comfort, an anesthetic cream with lidocaine or ice may be applied before the procedure to limit pain. Palmar or plantar injection may be more painful than underarm injection.

A possible side effect is short-term muscle weakness in the treated area. Other less significant reactions may be slight bruising at the injection site, irritation, but these will quickly subside.

Doctors often recommend avoiding deodorant or scented products under the arms for 12 to 24 hours to avoid irritation. Avoiding strenuous exercise and hot baths for 1-2 days may also help. Very important is to avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics for the first 7 days after the injection.

In case of an active skin infection, your doctor will advise you to postpone the procedure. It is also not indicated for patients with a known sensitivity to the substance used, or for those with certain neuromuscular conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis or Lamber-Eaton syndrome.

The procedure is generally aimed at people aged between 25 and 65. Above this age, wrinkles become static and, in the vast majority of cases, will not be affected by the treatment. A consultation is required for each patient before the procedure is carried out to determine whether it is suitable for them.

Although wrinkle results will be visible, botulinum toxin treatment will not radically change the facial expression. The muscles will be more relaxed to minimise the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, but expression will be preserved.