Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a processed protein which owns the quality of suspending the muscle function at the level of the neuromuscular synapse.

Suspending the muscles contraction, the skin of the particular area, rests resulting in the elimination of fine wrinkles while having time to heal so as to soothe and improve the deeper ones.

It concerns women and men regardless of age, in a period of their lives, during expression wrinkles appear.

Botox is typically applied on the glabella muscles (between eyebrows), forehead muscles and the lateral canthal area – “crow’s feet”. On these spots the therapy repairs the glabella horizontal, oblique and vertical frown lines, the forehead horizontal wrinkles, and the transverse and oblique wrinkles at the sides of the eyes.

Additionally, with the selective action on the muscles, we improve the eyebrows position (brow elevation) and we overall rejuvenate the upper third of the face.

Apart from the above typical positions, Botox is usually used to counteract situations, such as:

• lower orbicularis oculi hypertrophy – “jelly roll” appearance of the lower eyelid
• “bunny lines” on nose’s sides
• “gummy smile” – unflattering exposure of the entire upper gumline
• “smoker’s lines” of the upper and lower lip
• downward “drool grooves” at the angles of the mouth
• “peach pit” chin deformity
• neck “cords”
• axillae, palms and soles hyperhidrosis
• migraine headache
• painful scars
• masseter muscles hypertrophy

Therapy’s results are apparent after 2-3 days and it is maximized in the following 2 weeks. Result’s duration varies significantly from person to person and it lasts from 4-5 months. It is obvious that the therapy’s regular repetition increases the duration of the result. Botox is an absolutely safe treatment for human organism.

What is the proper age to start doing Botox?

If we begin the use of Botox on time, before wrinkles formation appears, we succeed the ideal prevention and the best result. The age of 25-30 is a good period to begin Botox.

Is Botox a popular therapy?

It is the most frequent noninvasive therapy worldwide. In 2015 almost 7 million botulin toxin type A therapies were accomplished in America.

What Baby Botox or Actor’s Botox are?

It is used when the retention of a greater level of facial expressions is wished (e.g. actors).

How does Botox work?

Botulin toxin calms, relaxes particular facial muscles resulting in the fine lines elimination and improving the deepest ones.

Which wrinkles are counteracted?

The most usual wrinkles which are counteracted are:

• around eyes wrinkles – ”crow’s feet”
• forehead wrinkles
• between eyebrows wrinkles
• vertical mouth wrinkles and mainly on the upper lip – ”smoker’s wrinkles”

When was it first used?

In Cosmetic Medicine was first used in the beginning of 1990. It had been also used a lot of years earlier from other medical specialties, for tackling various spastic situations such as torticollis, blepharospasmus, squint etc.

Is this therapy suitable for me?

This treatment is suitable for women and men who feel awkward with the around eyes wrinkles, forehead wrinkles, the between eyes ones and they want to look younger and more ”fresh”.

What is the recovery time?

After treatment we can immediately return to our everyday routines. We should though, for the next 3-4 hours, avoid massage on the eyes area and keep a standing or sitting position. It is also recommended, for the first 24 hours, to avoid intense activities.

I am afraid my expression might change or I might be disfigured!

We should not have such worries. The Plastic Surgeon commands facial anatomy and has the suitable training.

How will I look after Botox?

After botulin toxin therapy we look rejuvenated, relaxed and with skin of better quality.

Is there wrinkles prevention with Botox?

Of course! We accomplish this by having Botox before wrinkles formation.

What other therapies can it be combined with?

Botulin toxin can be combined with a great number of therapies such as diamond dermabrasion, mesotherapies, hyaluronic acid, autologous mesotherapy PRP (platelet rich plasma), threads but it can also complete the result of a blepharoplasty or a face lifting.

Can Botox replace aesthetic surgical procedures?

Botulin toxin acts in a different way and it cannot replace aesthetic surgical procedures. Respectively aesthetic surgeries cannot replace botulin toxin.

What is the procedure of Botox therapy?

After carefully examining the face anatomy and its special traits, we prepare the skin and inject botulin toxin selectively in areas’ muscles. The injection is done through a very fine needle so as to minimize discomfort. The whole procedure lasts almost 30 minutes.

How is my face right after treatment?

Slight, tiny red marks, might appear on the needle’s entrance spots. Those immediately disappear and we can go back to our routines with no problem. In rare cases a small ecchymosis might temporarily appear which can easily be covered with make-up.

Is Botox a safe therapy?

Botulin toxin is an utterly safe therapy. Botox has been used in wrinkles treatment to millions of patients the last 20 years worldwide. It has been used from other medical specialties to deal with spastic cases, in higher dosages than those used for wrinkles treatment. There are a lot of studies proving the safety of this therapy.

How long does it last?

Its duration is 4-5 months.

What is the improvement rate I should expect?

If the initial wrinkles are fine, we should expect 100% elimination of them.

What happens after continuous Botox therapies?

When we use botulin toxin for a long time, we might see reduction of our wrinkles depth and length. Additionally, the regular botulin toxin treatment seems to increase the results duration.

What are the possible problems or complications after Botox?

Generally small red marks, swellings or ecchymosis may appear. Especially, after upper face treatment, eyebrows asymmetry, eyelid ptosis and falling eyebrows while on the lower face and neck, asymmetries around mouth and speaking or swallowing difficulty, may rise. We should know that these complications are rare when botulin toxin is done by specialized Plastic Surgeon.

I am pregnant. Can I have Botox?

There are no studies about pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consequently, botulin toxin should not be done in such cases.

Are there other alternative therapies?

Botox is one of the best and irreplaceable therapies, regarding expression wrinkles treatment on the upper third of the face. Often though it is combined with other treatments for the complete rejuvenation of the area, such as hyaluronic acid, diamond dermabrasion, fractional laser and autologous plasma therapy PRP.

What is the difference between Botox and hyaluronic acid?

Botulin toxin eliminates wrinkles by relaxing the underlying muscles. Hyaluronic fills the wrinkles with no effect on the underlying muscles. Very often these two therapies are used in combination.

Is Botox used just to treat face wrinkles?

Botox is also used for:

• axillae, palms and soles hyperhidrosis
• neuralgia and migraine
• masseter muscles hypertrophy
• painful scars

Botulin toxin for hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is the body state when it produces extensive sweat quantities and this causes intense humidity, affecting our everyday activities. Most frequently treated areas are axillae, palms and soles/feet.

Botulin toxin for chronic migraine

Patients who suffer from headaches for at least 15 days a month, for more than 4 hours each time, can be helped with Botox. Botox is injected in particular spots – head and neck trigger points.

Botulin toxin for masseter muscles hypertrophy

A lot of men suffer from masseter muscles hypertrophy. Masseter muscles are muscles which appear to contract on the left and right of the face, when we shut forcedly our mouth. This situation can be treated with Botox having satisfying results.

Botulin toxin for painful scars

Scars, such as keloid, hypertrophic or even normal scars may show sensitiveness or pain. In persistent cases we can use Botox with positive results.