Botulinum toxin (Botox®)

Treatments with this product, widely known as Botox by its commercial brand, have been highly successful worldwide thanks to its effectiveness, strong safety profile, immediate results and minimally invasive nature. It is commonly used to address the most frequent signs of aging such as wrinkles and skin laxity. Its effect can be described as a partial relaxation of the muscles to prevent continuous compression and the formation of expression lines.

Benefits

• It not only softens wrinkles and expression lines, it also helps prevent premature aging with continued use.
• It offers a high level of safety since it is a substance well tolerated by the body.
• The most common side effects are mild, such as temporary swelling or redness at the injection site.

Duration

It is recommended to reapply every six months, since it is a substance that is naturally absorbed by the body.

Application process

Intramuscular injections are applied in the targeted area using an aesthetic medicine technique known as mesotherapy. It requires careful control of dosage and injection depth to avoid affecting any nerves. According to Dr. Juan Carlos Lloreda, an expert in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine, “The physician must have a solid understanding of anatomy to prevent complications, although it is a straightforward procedure for a trained specialist. In my years of experience, I have never encountered an issue with its application.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Contraindications

Botox should not be administered to patients with neuromuscular disorders, or those with allergies to the neurotoxin or its excipients. It should also not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Regarding possible side effects, it is important to clarify that in most cases they are very mild. However, there is a risk of adverse effects if the product is improperly administered, such as:

An unnatural appearance that limits muscle movement and makes facial expressions difficult.

Muscle weakness: this may occur when more product than necessary is applied. It can be noticeable in the treated area, presenting as a crooked mouth or uneven eyebrows.

Facial asymmetry, where the face appears uneven and results in an unnatural expression.

Ptosis or drooping of the eyelid, which can occur if the product is incorrectly applied when lifting the eyebrows.

Dysphagia, characterized by difficulty chewing or swallowing, which may occur if the injection reaches the salivary glands or the sternocleidomastoid muscle when Botox is applied in the neck area.

Swelling and redness, which may include prolonged inflammation in the treated area and the appearance of minor bruising.

Headache

To correct these issues, time is required since the product will be naturally reabsorbed by the body. Radiofrequency, gentle massage and facial movement can help speed up the process, although improvement may still take between two and three months.

Recommendations

• Botulinum toxin is one of the most widely used treatments in aesthetic medicine to slow the visible signs of aging and deliver excellent results.
• Following medical recommendations for maintenance treatments helps not only soften visible signs of aging but also delay the formation of new wrinkles.
• For a comprehensive approach, patients should complement treatment with a diet rich in vegetables and low in dairy and processed foods, along with regular physical activity and proper sun protection. This supports skin improvement from the inside out.
• Along with Botox, other techniques can be combined such as biostimulators, hyaluronic acid, IV infusion therapy, enzymes, laser treatments and more.

References

Vivekanand Kattimani,1 Rahul Vinay Chandra Tiwari,2 Khalid Gufran,3 Bharti Wasan,4 P. H. Shilpa,5 and Anas Abdul Khader6 Botulinum Toxin Application in Facial Esthetics and Recent Treatment Indications (2013-2018), 2019 Apr 12. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry.