BOTOX

General

WHAT IS BOTOX?

Botox is a diluted, purified form of Botulinum Toxin. A very effective muscle relaxant. This product has been used for years in treating muscle spasms. However, the dose that is used for this purpose is often 100 times higher than those which we use in cosmetic treatment. Even in these doses no significant side effects have been described. Botox is a product that is injected into the muscle, so that this muscle is relaxed.

WHAT IS BOTOX USED FOR?

It is mainly used in the muscles that cause wrinkles in the upper half of the face. Here we often see wrinkles caused by over activity of certain muscle groups.

Indications

Frown wrinkles between the eyebrows:  are caused by the contraction of certain forehead muscles. This ensures that we have a sullen and angry facial expression. When one injects these muscles with Botox it will relax the skin between the eyebrows, and the face gets a more relaxed expression. This treatment also has a preventive effect, preventing permanent deep grooves from arising between the eyebrows.

Horizontal forehead wrinkles: can give a tired and tense impression. By injections in these specific muscle groups one can relax the forehead, blurring the wrinkles and improving the overall appearance.

Crow’s feet: are laughing wrinkles around the eyes. Injections into these muscles will fade those wrinkles and tighten the skin.

Neck Wrinkles: vertical bands in the neck, called platysma bands can also be faded with Botox. Mainly with younger people, this gives a very good result. When there is clearly too much loose skin present in the neck, the treatment is less successful.

 Excessive sweating: the armpits [hyperhidrosis]. Here, too, Botox is injected with small needle pricks into the skin. This treatment is virtually painless and gives good results for 9 to 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Botox

WHAT DOES A BOTOX TREATMENT ENTAIL?

First, the treated area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The doctor looks at which muscle groups are active and determines the strength of the muscles. Thus, one can individually adjust the dose in order to achieve a natural result. The treated muscles are marked beforehand if necessary. As stated above, Botox is injected into the muscle itself. This is done with a very fine needle. This gives a slight stinging sensation. The treatment result can already be seen after three to six days. The skin is visibly relaxed and the wrinkles are less deep. After fourteen days, the effect is optimal. The effect of the Botox treatment lasts three to four months. When a Botox treatment is repeated often it has amore prolonged effect on wrinkles. This ranges from six to nine months.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AFTER THE TREATMENT?

After the treatment you have no pain and can resume your normal daily activities. You can stimulate treated muscle groups for 2 to 3 hours after treatment [e.g. frown, pull your eyebrows or use your laugh]. These exercises help to better fix the Botox intramuscularly. While this can help, it does not affect your treatment if you forget this.
Avoid massaging the treated areas or rubbing it for 24 hours after your treatment [note with makeup or when removing makeup].

HOW FAST DOES BOTOX WORK?

The effect will be clearly visible a few days after the treatment. After two weeks the full effect is achieved.

HOW LONG DOES BOTOX WORK?

The effect of Botox is always temporary. Depending on the strength of the muscles, the treated zone and the amount used, the result remains 3 to 6 months. The duration of the effect is considerably increased when a particular muscle group is treated more than once.

WHEN SHOULD I COME BACK?

To maintain a maximum result in the long term, it is important to re-treat the muscles before they have regained their full range of motion and cause wrinkles again. This way the doctor can tune the treatment perfectly to your face.

WHEN CAN WE NOT USE BOTOX?

Botox is a product that acts on the muscles. It goes without saying that this cannot be used when you are suffering from a muscular disorder. Tell the doctor about all of your medications. Blood thinners and aspirin may give slightly more blue spots after the treatment, but are normally no problem for the treatment.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF BOTOX?

As stated above, Botox is injected into the muscle itself. This is done with a very fine needle and therefore gives a slight stinging sensation. After the treatment you have no pain and you can resume your normal daily activities.
Small swellings or marks disappear within a few hours after treatment. Sometimes it may result in minor bruising at the injection sites. You can carefully camouflage these. They will disappear spontaneously after a few days. Very occasionally patients report a slight headache the first days after the treatment, but this too will disappear spontaneously.

HOW DO I KNOW IF BOTOX IS THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR ME?

It is advisable to have an introductory meeting with your doctor. This can tell if Botox treatment is the best option for you.