Botulinum toxin is a gold standard treatments in facial rejuvenation. It consists of infiltrating, by using a fine needle, the skin and certain small facial muscles, with small doses of a purified natural protein which relaxes reversibly and transiently (about 4-6 months ) these muscles which are involved in the formation of forehead wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet. Properly used, the results with botulinum toxin are natural, so the normal facial expression is not changed. The results are visible from the third or fourth day after product injection. Wrinkles are eliminated progressively giving a younger and more relaxed expression. After first treatment, for maintained results over time and also to prevent the formation of more facial wrinkles, the second treatment should be performed 3 or 4 months later, and then it is recommended to repeat the procedure approximately every 5 to 6 months, unlike infiltration with hyaluronic acid which is usually done annually. The duration of the effects of botulinum toxin depends on the type of toxin used, its dose and injection technique, as well as on the patient type of muscle contraction.
Although botulinum toxin is used to attenuate or eliminate wrinkles, it is not a filler. Hyaluronic acid fillers are sometimes useful to complement and enhance the results, especially at older ages (from age 50). There is no definite age to start treatment with botulinum toxin; it depends on each individual case and how the patient gesticulates, but the results are more spectacular when the toxin is injected from the 30s.
Botulinum toxin is a safe and harmless treatment that requires no prior allergy testing. The treatment is performed in an outpatient consultation and does not require anesthesia because it is nearly painless. Immediately after treatment you will not observe any changes on your face; you need about one week to see the effects on wrinkles. Very rarely, after therapy, there may be some redness or bruising, easy to conceal with makeup; it disappears in a few days, allowing immediate restarting of daily activities.
