Botox

Botox injections or botox shots are injections of a substance used to relax the overactive muscles and help in bringing them back to the normal state. The chemical substance in these injections is a safe, temporary material produced from the bacteria. It helps to smoothen the wrinkles, relax hyperactive muscles and decrease the increased sweating.

What is Botox ?

Botox is a chemical substance which works at the nerve muscle junction and helps to relax the muscle from contraction for temporary period. It is marketed under different brand names like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin etc

What are the uses of Botox in aesthetic dermatology ?

1. For erase crow’s feet (lines around eyes while smiling).
2. For smoothen frown lines causing the 11 on central forehead.
3. For decrease forehead lines.
4. For reduce the bulkiness of square jaw.
5. For improve the down ward angle of mouth.
6. For improve gummy smile.
7. For reduce size of nose and elevate the nose.
8. For reduce the neck bands (platysma bands).
9. For reducing irregularities on chin (orange peel appearance of chin).
10. For reducing excess sweating on underarm, palm and sole.
11. For reducing the bulk of calf muscles.
12. For slimming down the neck (barbie neck)-for selective cases.
13. For reducing migraine.

What is the age group for which botox can be taken?

Botox has been used for all age groups (even in children for neck spasms) and has been found safe. In aesthetics, it has been used from 20 years onwards.

How is the treatment flow and how much time it takes?

It is an outpatient procedure and is done under sterile conditions. Usually no topical anaesthesia is required and the treatment is done with fine needles. It feels like slight discomfort but is very tolerable and does not take more than couple of minutes. The person can resume the work immediately after the procedure. It should be done with a certified doctor as it requires good understanding of the anatomy and is a medical procedure.

How long does the results stay?

Usually the results stay between 3 to 6 months but it starts reducing gradually after 2-3 months. 2-3 sessions are usually required in a year to maintain the best results in long term.

What are the side effects and contra indications?

Minor pain, bruising, slight discomfort are the usual side effects seen after the session. Occassional person may have headache on the same day. Rarely patients may have hematoma, lid lag and lid ptosis after the session. Contraindications include allergy to the product itself or people having neuromuscular disorders. It is not usually recommended during the pregnancy and breast feeding.

Does the effect stay permanently? Do I need to do botox every 6 months throughout my life? If I stop, will my wrinkles get worse?

The effects of botox are temporary and fade off over 3-6 months period. If you stop botox shots for some reason, the muscles return back to the same state (or even better according to some studies) and there is no worsening of wrinkles.

What are the precautions to be taken immediately after the injection?

It is advisable not to bend down for long in the first 3-4 hours. Use the injected muscles every 15 minutes during the first 4 hours. Avoid sports and exercises in the first 24 hours. The results start usually in 2-4 days time and show up fully in 7-14 days.