IMPROVEMENT OF WRINKLES USING BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX) INJECTIONS
Commonly called Botox and sold under different brand names (Vistabel at Allergan, Azzalure at Galderma, Bocouture at Mertz), this product is injected into certain facial muscles to treat so-called “expression” lines:
- Frown lines located between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet wrinkles
- Horizontal lines on the forehead
- “Bitterness” wrinkles in the corner of the mouth
- Stretched lines on the neck
- Sagging tip of the nose, etc.
Botulinum Toxin remains one of the most interesting therapeutic innovations of recent years for the rejuvenation of the upper third of the face.
WHAT IS BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX)?
In February 2003, type A botulinum toxin, more commonly known as BOTOX obtained MA (marketing authorisation) for aesthetic use: “the treatment of vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows observed when frowning, where this causes a considerable psychological impact on the patient”. This medication has been used for over 25 years for many pathologies (squint, blepharoplasty, equinus foot in children, dystonia, hyperhidrosis, etc.).
By administering botulinum toxin injections at the level of the eye muscles in patients with blepharospasm, two doctors, Jean and Alastair Carruthers, noticed an effect on the erasure of wrinkles in their patients and released their first publication in 1989.
Mode of pharmacological action: Clostridium Botulinum is an anaerobic bacterium able to secrete different botulinum toxin serotypes, which free acetylcholine at the level of the neuromuscular junction of striated muscles, leading to “paralysis” of the muscle.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR BOTOX (BOTULINUM TOXIN) INJECTIONS?
Vistabel, developed by Allergan Laboratory, has been authorised in France since 2003 to treat frown lines. Azzalure (Galderma Laboratory) has been authorised since 2009 and Bocouture (Merz Laboratory) since 2010.
Botulinum toxin, or BOTOX, treats wrinkles linked to excessive muscle contraction, or so-called “expression lines”, which can give an angry, worried or tired appearance: frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet.
HOW DOES BOTOX TREAT FACIAL WRINKLES?
To rejuvenate the eyes and forehead, Dr Gauthier adapts her technique to each case after a thorough analysis of each face. Her objective is to obtain a natural result which allows movement of the forehead muscles and eyebrows.
Dr Gauthier’s perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the facial muscles enables you to retain all your beautiful facial expressions.
Expression lines will be reduced by relaxing the responsible facial muscles. Botox is particularly effective in rejuvenating the forehead (horizontal forehead wrinkles, frown lines or glabella lines), but also favourably treats other expression lines (crow’s feet, smoking lines, etc.).
Wrinkles visibly fade, renewing the face. The patient looks rested and rejuvenated without using surgery. The term medical lifting takes on its full meaning here.
HOW DOES THE BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTION SESSION TAKE PLACE?
The treatment of wrinkles with Botox takes place in the surgery during consultation with the doctor. During examination, the doctor listens to the motivations and expectations of the patient and assess the areas to be treated. If Botox injections are recommended, treatment can begin.
Dr Gauthier will precisely define the injection points. She will administer measured quantities of the product in order to relax the muscles responsible for wrinkles. The experience and precision of the doctor are essential obtaining a natural result.
The injections are practically pain-free thanks to the use of microcannulas or ultra-fine needles. If necessary, the patient can apply a local anaesthetic (EMLA cream) one hour before the procedure.
THE EFFECTS OF WRINKLES TREATMENT USING BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX) INJECTIONS
You can immediately resume your activities, whilst observing these precautions:
- You can frown on the injected areas, just avoid frowning or massaging the treated areas during the first few hours following treatment.
- Avoid doing intense exercise and putting your head upside down for several hours following treatment.
- Small marks or swelling that could appears on the skin will disappear within an hour of treatment.
- Treatment can take up to 15 days to fully act, but results will begin to appear from the second day.
It is good to schedule a follow-up meeting to adjust the requirements and sometimes the results, because Dr Gauthier takes great effort to ensure complete satisfaction with each treatment. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
The results of your treatment with botulinum toxin are not permanent. The effects of treatment (no wrinkles when the face is at rest) last between 4 and 6 months, depending on the patient and his/her muscle characteristics.
To prolong the duration of each treatment beyond 4 months, follow your appointment schedule and frequently renew treatment. During the first year, we recommend having one Botox injection every 4 months, then every 6 months.
WHEN WILL THE RESULTS APPEAR?
The effects of botulinum toxin injections appear progressively, sometimes from the first 24 hours, and can be fully observed after approximately 10 days. Wrinkles are diminished for 4-6 months, depending on individual patients. The treatment must be renewed, on average, two times a year.
However, it is important to know that the more these injections are repeated, the more they should be spaced out over time because the results last longer.
COUNTERINDICATIONS FOR WRINKLE TREATMENT USING BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX) INJECTIONS
All patients who suffer from neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with a history of an allergy to albumin.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE UNDERGOING A COSMETIC PROCEDURE: CLICK HERE