Botox Injections (Botulinum Toxin)

Written By: Dr Kristie McNealy                               Reviewed:17 August 2010

Botox injections are a non surgical cosmetic procedure approved for the reduction of frown lines and wrinkles. Botox has been used for over twenty years and over two million people receive treatments every year.

What is Botox?

Botox is a neuromodulator produced by a type of bacteria called clostridium botulinum. Botox injections temporarily weaken or paralyse target muscles by interfering with nerve impulses responsible for muscle contractions. BOTOX® is the commercial name for Botulinum Toxin Type A.

What areas can Botox be used on?

Botox works best on muscles that dermatologists call "lines of negative facial expression" or alternatively, lines that form on your face when you frown, feel angry, sad or concerned. Botox will remove or reduce crow's feet, creases and wrinkles between the brows, lines above and below the lips and across the forehead. Botox has also been used very successfully to address lines and wrinkles on the neck.

Is Botox right for me?

Botox is suitable for young to middle aged men and women who have lines and wrinkles on the face or neck that are causing them to feel older than they actually are. It is important that candidates don't have an unrealistic expectation of what Botox can achieve. While the results are almost immediate and can be striking, Botox is not the same as a facelift, lines on the lower half of the face will be reduced but may not disappear completely. Treatments will need to be repeated in order to maintain results.

People who have nerve or muscular disorders, are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant, will need to discuss with their doctor whether Botox injections are a good option.

How long does Botox last?

Botox injections usually take about three days to start working and the full effect is achieved in about 7-10 days. The full effects usually last for around two months. During the third month you will start to feel some movement and the treatment usually wears off after about four months.

Some people choose to have treatments every four months while other will wait for about 6 months before undergoing another round of treatment.

Is Botox a poison?

In very large quantities the bacteria clostridium botulinum will kill by paralysing the muscles until breathing stops. However through purification and dilution we have a cosmetic medicine that is both safe and effective.

Are Botox injections painful?

Botox is administered in a series of small injections. Treatment may be uncomfortable, however it is not usually painful and any discomfort only lasts for a few seconds.

What are the side effects of Botox injections?

As with any medicine there are potential side effects that you should be aware of. While still rare the most common side effects of Botox are nausea, headache and mild flu like symptoms. Less common side effects include bruising, swelling, numbness and bleeding.

On the aesthetic side it is possible that treatment may result in asymmetries or changes that simply don't 'look right'. These can include uneven brows, droopy eyelids or saggy lips that make it difficult to speak clearly or purse your lips. Aesthetic side effects like this are usually short lived and very rare. You can reduce your chances of side effects by having treatment through an experienced doctor, dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.

Alternatives to Botox Injections

• Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers typically replace levels of collagen or hyaluronic acid in order to plump up the skin, ad volume and restore a more youthful appearance.

• Collagen Injections: Collagen injections are used to remove crow's feet, smile lines, nasolabial folds (under the nose) and frown lines.

• Skin Peels: Skin peels are cosmetic procedures used to make the surface of the skin look smoother, younger and more evenly pigmented.

• Laser Skin Treatment: Lasers can be used effectively to treat skin problems such as uneven skin tone or pigmentation, scars and blemishes, as well as reduce or remove lines and wrinkles.

• Facelift Surgery: Facelift surgery, otherwise known as rhytidectomy, can tighten the skin and give the face a more youthful look.

• Mini facelift: Less invasive than a traditional facelift, the mini facelift is sometimes called the "weekend" facelift because of the short and easy recovery time.