BOTULINUM TOXIN
Cultivating healthy lifestyle habits and taking good care of your face are two of the secrets to being beautiful, no matter if you are 20 or 70 years old. Cleaning the skin with specific soap, applying sunscreen daily on the face, cleaning the skin, and good quality creams that stimulate collagen and inhibit wrinkles can give the impression that you are younger.
Even with all the care, smiling, frowning, squinting, and any other facial movement can eventually lead to the most common signs of aging: wrinkles. Wrinkles can make you look tired or even irritated when you are not. This condition bothers some people, especially after the age of 40, as our life expectancy has increased. As we live longer, we are active and want our bodies to mirror our young minds and hearts.
WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS DONE
Botulinum Toxin is a substance produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Purified, its cosmetic form is used in injectable form, mainly in the face, with the objective of avoiding muscle contraction. Its effect leaves the face with a rested and relaxed appearance. It is one of the most important non-surgical procedures in the field of facial rejuvenation.
Currently, there are at least four brands of Botulinum Toxin authorized by the FDA – Food and Drug Administration (United States) and/or Anvisa (Brazil), the best known being Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA).
The thickness of the skin, the type and degree of wrinkling play an important role in determining the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin. After a careful evaluation to know if the procedure is indicated and can produce good results, we plan the number of injections needed and in which of the 43 face muscles that are carefully chosen.
It is worth emphasizing that we are always careful to preserve your natural facial expressions. To this end, we take into consideration your facial features and the extent of your wrinkles. Crow’s feet, for example, may require 2 to 3 injections. Furrows above the eyebrow may need 5 or more injections.
The procedure is quick and almost painless. Before, if necessary, we use a topical anesthetic for greater comfort. The application is done in our office and takes about 15 minutes. Botulinum Toxin is injected with the help of a thin needle.
The results are maintained for 4 to 6 months, when muscle paralysis begins to diminish. The ideal is to reapply it preventively, before new wrinkles appear.
It is important not to confuse this with the application of hyaluronic acid (Lip Filler), because the procedures have different objectives. The hyaluronic acid (injectable) is a product indicated to fill wrinkles, furrows, and expression lines in the corners of the mouth and to increase the volume of the lips.
INDICATION
Botulinum Toxin is indicated for women or men who have wrinkles and expression marks caused by the natural aging of the skin or by the hyperactivity of the muscles of the face region, which can leave marks from the age of 20.
On the forehead and eyes, the procedure softens the expression lines and wrinkles that are more superficial and apparent (“crow’s feet”, “marks between the eyebrows”, and “eyebrow elevation”). On the nose, it reduces wrinkles on the back (“rabbit nose”) and lifts the tip.
On the lips, it prevents the upper lip from rising too high when smiling (“gummy smile”), arches the tips (“inverted smile”), and smooths the expression lines around them (“perioral lines” or “bar code” and “Chinese mustache”). It softens teeth grinding (“bruxism”). On the chin, it softens stretch marks. On the neck, it reduces wrinkles and thick bands (“Nefertiti effect”).
It can also be indicated in the treatment of migraines or tension headaches, facial paralysis, and in the control of sweating in areas such as hands, feet, and armpits.
The procedure is contraindicated for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, with known sensitivity to Botulinum Toxin “type A” or in children under 2 years of age.
PREOPERATIVE
It is essential to consult the SCHEDULED THE SURGERY? page which has a series of questions to talk about during the consultations, to help you with your doubts and where you will find recommendations for the day of the procedure.
Heavy physical activities are prohibited on the day of the application. Fasting is not necessary. Do not use cosmetics and dermatological products one day before and one day after the application.
POSTOPERATIVE
The patient is discharged soon after the procedure and can resume normal activities immediately, but with great care. Avoid physical efforts for a period of 24 hours.
Do not lie down or put your head down for 4 hours after the application. After this period, if you go to sleep, your head should be slightly elevated for the first 2 or 3 days.
The sites of the injections may become swollen, a little painful and with redness that usually disappears spontaneously in 24 to 48 hours. You may have a headache for a few hours and temporary ptosis (drooping) of the eyebrow / eyelid.
The face should not be exposed to intense cold or heat, so hot or cold compresses are contraindicated. In the first 3 days, it is important not to rub or massage or cleanse the skin or make other pressure movements on the face.
Opt for lighter food on the 1st day (fruit, soup, gelatin, fiber, liquids, etc.). From the 2nd day of the procedure on, you can eat practically anything. Avoid very hot or cold foods, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes during the entire recovery period.
There are no restrictions concerning exercises, just avoid them for 3 days after the procedure. More intense physical activities and contact sports after evaluation. Avoid exposure to the sun as much as possible if you have bruising for at least 1 week; after that, always use sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF (sun protection factor).
In general, the patient returns to the doctor’s office about 15 days later for a reevaluation. If necessary, we make small touch-ups to ensure a better result from the previous application.
The results are noticed within a few days, however it can take 1 to 2 weeks to have the planned result, which usually lasts about 4 to 6 months. When the effects of Botulinum Toxin begin to wear off, the muscles react and the wrinkles reappear.