Botulinum toxin (Botox) has been used as an approved drug in neurology since the early 1980s, primarily for the treatment of specific movement disorders such as blepharospasm (eyelid spasm) and certain types of spasticity in adults and children, such as spastic pointed foot.
When Botox is injected into the muscles of the face, it temporarily restricts muscular movement. This smooths out unwanted wrinkles in the skin. Botox injections are a tried and tested method that has been in use for years. They have few side effects.
Botox is one of the best anti-wrinkle treatments available. Almost no other treatment works as reliably and has as few side effects. After gaining many years of experience with the active ingredient, Dr Kristof became a trainer, teaching other doctors how to use Botox.
How does Botox work against wrinkles?
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a naturally occurring bacterial protein. When botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle, it blocks nerve impulses there in a targeted manner, preventing the muscle from tensing in the usual way. It does not affect other nerve functions, such as sensation or touch through the skin. The effect occurs within three to five days and usually lasts four to six months. This means that repeated treatments are usually required to achieve a lasting effect.
What side effects can occur?
- Skin irritation
- Skin infection or skin swelling
- Bruising
- Pain; asymmetrical facial expression (reversible and can usually be corrected with another injection)
All of the side effects mentioned above are extremely rare.
- What to bear in mind after treatment with Botox
Do not touch the injection sites with your fingers for ten to twelve hours. Do not do anything that will increase blood flow to the muscles (e.g. going in a sauna) - Use the treated facial muscles repeatedly and frequently for several hours (e.g. by frowning) so that the injected botulinum toxin is evenly distributed throughout the muscle.
- You can apply light make-up and wash the area gently
What can be treated with Botox?
- Forehead wrinkles: one of the best areas for Botox treatment. The depth of wrinkles decreases massively or the wrinkles disappear completely
- Crow’s feet around the eyes: here, too, the depth of wrinkles decreases massively or they disappear completely
- Lip wrinkles: the lines known as “smoker’s lines” can be treated effectively, especially with a combination of Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers.
- Marionette lines: Botox treatment combined with hyaluronic acid is also very effective here
- Bunny lines on the nose
- Frown lines: this is the classic indication for Botox. Interestingly, some patients report that they feel much happier after treatment with Botox because they can no longer unconsciously look angry. This has not been scientifically proven in studies, but it is an interesting observation
- Eyebrow lift: injecting Botox into the muscle that pulls the eyebrow down makes the eyebrow sit higher on the outside than before the Botox treatment. This results in a very nice lift of the outer third of the eyebrow.