We've all heard of the famous Botox ®️ (Allergan), when in reality, it's the trade name for a variety of botulinum toxin. Which is a protein produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. We have other commercial names of toxins with similar compositions, very effective, the best known being Dysport ®️ (Galderma) and Xeomin ®️ (Merz).

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What is botulinum toxin?

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Botulinum toxin is an injectable neuromodulator: it is able to inhibit neurotransmission between peripheral nerves and muscle tissue, which makes it an effective treatment for aesthetic and medical issues exacerbated by muscle contraction (such as wrinkles due to excessive muscle contraction). .

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Is botulinum toxin a safe procedure?

In this case, industrialized botulinum toxin is purified and used in doses that do not cause disease. The toxin is applied to the muscle and causes the region to relax. It is worth mentioning that the procedure is legalized and approved by ANVISA, (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), in Brazil since 1992, and is carried out all over the world .  

Is the effect temporary or permanent? How long does the effect last?

In general, Botox lasts for 3 to 4 months. There will certainly be patients where it lasts longer, in the range of 4 to 6 months, or less, in the range of 2 months. It is also common for beginners to notice that it may not last as long at first, but it may last longer after the second treatment.

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In which areas is the use of the substance indicated?

When related to aesthetic use, botulinum toxin is indicated to smooth wrinkles and expression lines on the face and neck.

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- Among the lines treated are:

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• Forehead wrinkles.

• Crease in the glabella (space between the eyebrows).

• Crow's feet, wrinkles that form around the eyes.

• Nose wrinkles (Bunny lines).

• Neck lines.

Can I have an artificial face after application?

Once patients have been determined to be good candidates for botulinum toxin therapy, we take care to ensure that the anatomical placement of injections is correct and that the doses used are appropriate based on the treatment site and specific patient characteristics (e.g. , the shape and musculature of the patient's face, the patient's sex, and preferences regarding the magnitude of the effect). Conservative treatment is generally preferred, which avoids artificial results.  

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Can men use botox?

Of course you can. The appropriate dose of botulinum toxin is determined by the treatment site and muscle mass; men generally have stronger and larger facial muscles and require higher doses than women. The number of injections and the proper spacing between injections are different for each patient.  

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What should I do after botulinum toxin application?  

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Although there is a lack of data to confirm the effectiveness of these measures, the instructions help patients to engage in actions that, in theory, can minimize the excessive diffusion of the toxin to untreated areas and improve the effectiveness of treatment. To minimize the excessive spread of the toxin, we instruct patients to remain in an upright position for at least two to four hours after the injection and recommend that they avoid pressing or rubbing the treated areas for 24 hours.