Botox (Botulinum toxin), contrary to popular belief, is obtained from a bacterium, not from a snake. It is an exotoxin of the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum A. This toxin temporarily inhibits the release of substances necessary for muscle contraction from nerve endings. Thus, it is an effective, reliable and reversible treatment that is used in eliminating the wrinkles on the skin due to mimics and excessive sweating by blocking the contraction of the muscles in the applied area.
Mimic wrinkles on the face occur as a result of the effects of the muscles used during facial expression on the skin. The lines on the forehead and around the eyes give the person an older look, and the lines between the eyebrows give the person a frowning, angry look. Botox is used to remove horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the two eyebrows, horizontal lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), eyebrow lifting, lines on the nose and vertical lines on the lips. It can also be used to shrink the overgrown chin muscles (masseter) around the chin. By applying Botox to the mimic muscles, the movements of these muscles can be weakened, the decrease in muscle movements also reduces the folding of the skin on it with muscle movements and the lines due to folding. In this way, a significant improvement is achieved in the facial expression that looks old and angry.
Another application area of botox is the elimination of excessive sweating and various related ailments. Botox has found a lot of use in recent years against sweating disease, which is concentrated in the armpits, hands and feet and is called “hyperhidrosis” in the medical language. Botox is applied to the sweating area frequently with very fine-tipped needles. Depending on the person, it is possible to stop the excessive sweat secretion from the sweat glands for a certain period of time and thus, the sweating of the armpits, palms and soles can be eliminated, especially in the summer months.
Its effect starts between 3 and 7 days after application. The duration of this effect is 3-6 months in the treatment of facial wrinkles and 6-8 months in the treatment of excessive sweating. In long-term use, it does not cause any weakness in the muscles. On the contrary, it delays the effects of aging as it prevents muscle contractions.
After the application, it is recommended not to wash the face for 2-3 hours, not to wear make-up, not to massage, and not to wear tight bands like a tennis player’s band on the forehead. It is also recommended not to apply high heat (such as a blow dryer) to the treated area for 1-2 days. You can go back to work immediately. Its effect starts in about 5-7 days. The full effect is seen in about 10-12 days.
There may be a slight redness and ecchymosis (bruise) after the toxin application. A short-term drooping of the eyelid (4 to 6 weeks) may occur, albeit very rarely.
If applied correctly, botulinum toxin will not make a dull facial expression. A natural look can be achieved. Botox application requires a very good knowledge of facial anatomy. It is a method that eliminates problematic lines and provides vitality to the face when applied by specialist doctors.
