What is Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum Toxin is an exotoxin that is artificially produced from the bacteria “Clostridium Botulinum” by the Allergan Company. When injected into the skin, Botulinum Toxin prevents the wrinkle formation by inhibiting the muscle movements. Botulinum, which is diluted and purified, is safely used in medical aesthetics, especially for the wrinkle treatment.
Commercially available brands are:
- Botulinum Toxin, Vistabel (OnabotulinumtoxinA)
- Dysport (AbobotulinumtoxinA)
- Bocouture, Xeomin (IncobotulinumtoxinA)
- Myobloc (RimabotulinumtoxinB)
Which Treatments are the Botulinum Toxin Used for?
Botulinum Toxin is used for various treatments, but most frequently it is used for treating wrinkles and fine lines of the face. Botulinum Toxin is known to be used for more than 20 medical conditions/disease treatments.
Which Body Parts is Botulinum Toxin Applied to?
Approved and common uses of Botulinum Toxin applications are:
- Eyelid spasm
- Neck and shoulder muscle spasm
- Chronic migraines
- Excessive sweating
- Strabismus
- Hemifacial spasm
- Urinary incontinence as a result of the overactive bladder wall muscles
How is Botulinum Toxin Applied?
The substance used in Botulinum Toxin injection inhibits the signalling between the muscle and the nerve. Thus, the wrinkles relax and soften. It should be kept in mind that Botulinum Toxin is not a filling method but is instead used for treating the forehead lines, nasal lines, crow’ s feet, jawline, neck wrinkles and lines around the mouth. Botulinum Toxin would not fill the current wrinkles. It only reduces the severity of the wrinkles by relieving the muscles which cause wrinkles. However, specific changes in lines appear between pre- and post-application looks.
Botulinum Toxin toxin is injected into the muscles with a fine needle. Only a little disturbance would be felt during the intervention. Since it does not cause any pain, anaesthesia is not required. The injection takes only a few minutes to complete. The effect of Botulinum Toxin becomes noticeable, usually within five days.
What is the Price of Botulinum Toxin injection?
It is against the law in Turkey for the healthcare organisations including private practices to indicate prices online for interventions, treatments or consultations. Please contact us by calling or texting ?+90 541 334 3484 (WhatsApp available) or ☏ +90 212 257 1515 for the cost of the intervention or any other enquiries related to the intervention.
Botulinum Toxin Frequently Asked Questions
What should be avoided before the intervention?
- The patient should not use any anti-coagulants such as aspirin before the application in order to prevent bleeding, swelling and bruises.
- Supplements containing Vitamin E should not be consumed.
- In order to get better results, smoking and drinking should be avoided.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not undergo the procedure.
- In case of any neurological diseases or allergy, the doctor should be informed before the application.
- Expectations about the procedure should be discussed with the doctor before the application. Since Botulinum Toxin would not work in all wrinkles, it is important to be realistic and get detailed information.
What are rules and restrictions after Botulinum Toxin?
There are some points that need attention after the Botulinum Toxin application. These points are essential to enhance the effect of the application,
- Food containing calcium are beneficial.
- Mimic movements should be avoided at least for 4 hours after the application.
- For a few days, the Botulinum Toxin application area should be massaged periodically.
- Hygiene of the application site is important.
- Sports activities should be avoided for a few days.
- Periodic ice compress application is beneficial.
- The patient should sleep on the supine position for at least two weeks.
How long does Botulinum Toxin last?
The effects of Botulinum Toxin usually last for six months. When muscles start to contract again, wrinkles re-appear. In order to maintain the continuity of the treatment, the Botulinum Toxin application should be repeated periodically according to the physician’s advice. Repeated Botulinum Toxin applications “teach” the muscles to relax. Thus, lines and wrinkles become less noticeable even if the effects of Botulinum Toxin end.
Are there any risks of Botulinum Toxin intervention?
The most frequent side effects of Botulinum Toxin intervention are swelling and bruises. Slight pain might be experienced. These side effects usually last for two days. Rarely eyebrow, eyelid sagging, or sagging on the corner of the mouth might occur.
Is Botulinum Toxin used for treating excessive sweating?
Botulinum Toxin is applied for excessive armpit, hand or feet sweating. Botulinum Toxin does not heal excessive sweating. Botulinum Toxin re-application is required about every six months.
