Botulinum Toxin – Botox

Botox, i.e. a toxin that beautifies and heals.

Despite its alarming sounding name, botulinum toxin is a substance that is a drug and is successfully used in medicine (ophthalmology, urology, surgery and orthopedics), including aesthetic anti-aging medicine. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that, when used in the right amount, provides spectacular results in reducing mimic wrinkles. It is one of the most frequently used preparations in aesthetic medicine due to its effectiveness, long-lasting effect and safety. Treatment with botulinum toxin, commonly known as botox, is one of the best ways to reduce mimic wrinkles, which are caused by facial muscle contractions, for example when frowning (anger), being surprised or smiling. It is a procedure of very high effectiveness and excellent effect in terms of eliminating signs of aging such as wrinkles, furrows or lines on the skin for both men and women of all ages. It is worth noting that the problem of mimic wrinkles also concerns young people, even under 30 years of age, who want to stop the process of deep furrows, may undergo treatment with botulinum toxin as part of anti-aging prevention.

Anti-aging treatments are not the only uses for botulinum toxin. Thanks to its properties that block neuromuscular conduction at the injection site, toxin therapy is used to treat hyperhidrosis, bruxism, and migraine.

Indications for treatment

The treatment is aimed at Patients of all ages, both men and women, who expect a natural treatment effect that lasts for a long time. Here are the problems that botulinum toxin treatments solve:

Wrinkles – as mentioned earlier, botulinum toxin is particularly recommended for Patients who have mimic wrinkles, which are those caused by contractions of facial muscles. The appearance of wrinkles of this type is inevitable and affects everyone regardless of age and gender. Botulinum toxin treatments produce the best results in terms of reduction and prevention:

• forehead wrinkles, including the so-called "lion’s wrinkle" and transverse wrinkles
• wrinkles around the eyes, commonly known as "crow’s feet"
• wrinkles lip contour
• other wrinkles on the face, as well as neck and neckline

Botox treatments are also effective in reducing gummy smiles and lifting drooping eyelids and mouth corners.

Excessive sweating – botulinum toxin is also used to treat hyperhidrosis of the armpits, hands and feet, as well as other areas of the body where excessive sweating occurs. The phenomenon of its effect is based on temporary elimination of the problem, not masking it – the toxin paralyzes the nerve endings, thereby blocking the secretion of sweat.

Migraine – Botox treatments are recommended for Patients suffering from migraine. This ailment, extremely bothersome and painful, can be alleviated with the appropriate therapy with botulinum toxin, which relaxes the muscles and has an analgesic effect.

Bruxism – Patients suffering from involuntary and excessive masseter muscle activity, which symptoms include teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep, may find relief with botulinum toxin therapy. Treating bruxism is especially important because the condition can lead to abrasion of tooth enamel, headaches, and inflammation of teeth and gums. The toxin is injected into the masseter muscles to reduce their activity.

However, that’s not all! As you can see, botulinum toxin is recommended not only in aesthetic medicine, but also in the treatment of diseases and ailments that are extremely painful and troublesome for Patients.

Course of treatment

Each treatment in our clinic, including the botulinum toxin, is preceded by a detailed interview with the Patient. The physician excludes possible contraindications and selects the appropriate preparation dose, as well as plans intervals between treatments. It is aimed at achieving the best possible and long-lasting results in accordance with the Patient’s expectations. The area of skin in which botulinum toxin will be injected is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Depending on the Patient’s sensitivity to pain, an ice pack or anesthetic ointment may be applied. Then the physician, using a thin needle, injects the preparation into the skin. The number of injections and the amount of preparation administered depends on the specific problem, and thus the treatment time may be shorter or longer, but usually does not exceed half an hour.

Botox Katowice – how does it work?

Botulinum toxin, produced by bacteria of the genus Clostridium botulinum, to which it owes its name, is divided into several types, but in medicine it is usually type A toxin that is used. In our Clinic we use only certified, original preparations containing botulinum toxin of renowned brands to ensure the best results and safety.

Botulinum toxin, contained in preparations for performing injections, thanks to its unusual properties, has the ability to inhibit the production of acetylcholine responsible for carrying nerve impulses leading to muscle tension. This results in their "paralysis" and relaxation – in other words, for a while, the muscles, as well as the skin over them, stop contracting. As a result, the skin is smoothed out, and wrinkles and furrows are less visible. What is important, botox works only in the muscles to which it was injected, and its effect disappears with time – the restoration of nerve-muscle endings occurs after about 3-4 months. Other nerve functions of the treated area, such as skin sensitivity to touch, do not change.

Effects

Depending on the problem the Patient is facing, the following results can be expected:

Wrinkles – mimic wrinkles become less visible and visibly shallower, thanks to which the face, neckline or neck gain a youthful, radiant appearance. There is no need to be afraid of the simultaneous effect of artificiality and paralysis of existing facial expression, the primary aim of the botulinum toxin procedure in Zakrzewscy Clinic is to maintain a natural, fresh look, without a caricatured effect. The first effects should be observed after 3-5 days from the treatment, while the final result will be visible after 10-14 days. The effects usually last from 4 to 6 months and it depends on the individual conditions of the Patient. Then you can repeat the therapy, but the benefits of even one treatment are very long lasting. This is due to the fact that during the preparation, the skin rests from constant muscle contractions, so wrinkles do not deepen.

Excessive sweating – by paralyzing nerve endings, botulinum toxin significantly reduces sweating in skin areas such as the armpits, feet or hands. The Patient can expect a visible minimization or complete reduction of sweating for 9-12 months.

Migraine – the therapeutic properties of botulinum toxin in the treatment of migraine are already visible after a week after the procedure, and the effects persist for 4 to 6 months, at which time the procedure can be repeated. Botulinum toxin acts as a drug with prolonged action, thus relieving the Patient from pain and allowing to fully or partially withdraw from pharmacotherapy. After 3 cycles of treatment, pain can be reduced by up to 70%.

Bruxism – the muscle relaxation caused by the use of botulinum toxin causes involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding to ease or disappear. Consequently, the Patient also notices an improvement in the complaints caused by bruxism – headaches or tinnitus are reduced or disappear. The first effects are visible after a few days and last up to 4 months, and thanks to systematic use of the treatment, the Patient can enjoy permanent subsidence of symptoms.

It is worth mentioning the beneficial effect of botulinum toxin in terms of lifting drooping eyelids and mouth corners. As in the case of wrinkle reduction, the effects can be observed after 3 to 14 days. By injecting the preparation in precise anatomical points of the face, you can get the effect of a youthful, natural look while maintaining natural facial features without the mask effect. After the treatment the eyes are more "open,” the look becomes more cheerful and the mouth corners do not droop. The overall facial expression is significantly improved, it is happier, more cheerful, and expresses positive emotions. Botulinum toxin also helps to reduce gummy smiles by relaxing the circular muscles of the mouth.

Indications before surgery

Ten days before the procedure, the Patient should not take anti-inflammatory medications. He or she should also abstain from alcohol to increase the procedure effectiveness, as well as to ensure its complete safety and minimize the possibility of side effects.

Indications after surgery

There are certain recommendations that should be followed in order to make the effects of procedure as effective and long-lasting as possible, and to minimize side effects. The Patient should avoid:

• massaging the treated areas
• intensive physical activity for several days
• use of sauna and solarium for 2 weeks
• consuming alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure

Recovery

Botulinum toxin treatment, thanks to the fact that it is safe, does not require any period of convalescence and the Patient can usually return to daily activities immediately after the injection of preparation. After the procedure, a slight swelling may occur, which disappears within a few hours, as well as bruising, which should reduce to a few days after the procedure.

Contraindications

Botulinum toxin treatments, despite their high degree of safety, are not recommended for all Patients. Below is a list of contraindications to perform the procedure:

• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• neuromuscular disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome and others)
• allergy to any component of the preparation,
• local skin infections or infestations
• taking aminoglycoside antibiotics

Treatment cost: from PLN 500

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