The first thing that reveals a person’s age is the wrinkles on the face. If you remove them and continue to use your usual skincare products and decorative cosmetics, you will look much younger than your age! Isn't that what you deserve?
Injections of Botox, a drug developed specifically for this purpose, will help “erase” wrinkles. They will temporarily immobilize the necessary facial muscles, they will stop wringing the skin - and it will smooth out. Skin wrinkles on the face, neck, and décolleté can be corrected in this way. In experienced hands, such injections are not only not harmful, but also useful: during the time the muscle does not contract, the skin can recover.
The essence of the procedure
In modern cosmetology, the term “Botox” is used to refer to any drug where the active ingredient is group A botulinum toxin.
The concept acquired a common meaning due to the great popularity of the original product, which has been produced since 1988 by the Irish-American concern Allergan Inc.
Botox was the only one for a long time; now many analogue products have been developed for botulinum therapy.
In its pure form, botulinum toxin is a powerful neurotropic poison, poisoning with which poses a mortal danger - disruption of the diaphragm and heart muscle.
The medical toxin uses a minimal dosage in combination with additional components, so there is no threat to life and health.
Areas of use
Botox Cosmetic has been developed for the face, neck and body, which is a complex of group A botulinum toxin and associated proteins.
Most often, the upper part, as well as the lower third of the face, is pierced. Let's consider the main zones, as well as the required amount of substance.
- horizontal wrinkles - 10-25 units;
- interbrow area - 15-20 units;
- bridge of the nose - 3-10 units;
- areas around the eyes - 10-20 units;
- radial wrinkles on the upper lip - 2-5 units;
- raising the corners of the mouth - 5-10 units.
Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):
The number of conventional pharmacological units is indicated only for the classic drug “Botox”. When injecting analogues, dosage fluctuations are possible.
Efficiency
Botox injections are carried out using injections. The injection occurs into the target muscles. The molecule can only attach to the surface of the nerve, finds and penetrates neurons, affecting a specific protein. By breaking the chain of signals, the substance immobilizes muscle fibers. The loss of the ability to contract leads to the gradual smoothing out of wrinkles that arise due to constant muscle work.
The procedure completely changes the face: it tightens the contour, lifts the forehead, corrects the location of the eyebrows and their shape, dynamic wrinkles and pronounced folds disappear.
Young skin (from 30 to 40 years old) is smoothed due to the elasticity of the skin, so no additional procedures are required.
In adulthood, Botox is not enough to remove wrinkles. An integrated approach is needed - first the toxin is injected, and then other rejuvenating techniques are carried out. Biorevitalization works well, but sometimes various peelings are enough.
The first result is visible after 3-5 days, the maximum effect is achieved after a couple of weeks and lasts up to six months.
Side effects
Fortunately, side effects are quite rare. Although, when looking through the reviews, it turns out that there are quite a lot of dissatisfied and even desperate ladies. So is Botox harmful? The most common side effects include headaches, problems with facial expressions, facial pain, muscle weakness and the spread of botulinum toxin into adjacent muscles, double vision, nausea, flu-like symptoms, and respiratory problems. Approximately 3% of patients experience the effect of the so-called “drooping eyelid” or “drooping eyebrow” - as a result of significant weakening of the muscles, the eyebrows and eyelids droop.
And before the procedure, you should always know what the harm of Botox is. In turn, if the doctor performs the operation unsuccessfully (injecting too much botulinum toxin or in the wrong place), this can lead to more serious damage to the facial muscles. Problems arise with facial expressions and even when performing simple actions: eating, speaking changes, and vision problems arise if the muscles around the mouth or eyes are paralyzed. If the dosage of Botox injection is too high, a “mask effect” may occur. Women then look like porcelain dolls, incapable of deep facial expressions and expression.
Indications for use
- Horizontal folds on the forehead.
- Wrinkles between the eyebrows and the glabella.
- Crow's feet around the eyes.
- Drooping corners of lips.
- Pronounced creases in the area of the nasolabial triangle.
- Dermatochalasis (skin above the eyelid).
- Hemifacial spasm.
- Blepharospasm.
- Asymmetry of facial features.
- Hypertrophy of the masticatory muscle, when the lower jaw is very massive.
- “Gummy smile” (the upper gum is exposed).
- Violation of lip symmetry caused by paresis.
With the help of Botox, you can correct the shape of the nose and oval of the face, correct errors in the position of the lips, expressed in the constant elevation of both parts.
It is recommended to inject the drug after surgery to avoid the formation of scars at the incision site. Also, the toxin is used to treat neuritis of the facial nerve and tics that cannot be eliminated by medications.
Botulinum therapy is powerless when the defects are not related to muscle activity, so it is impossible:
- narrow the nose;
- remove bags under the eyes"
- get rid of pigmentation;
- get the effect of fullness of the skin (hide dents, pits).
How do botulinum toxin injections work?
As practice shows, a person’s face before and after the procedure has a completely different appearance. If there are a lot of wrinkles on your face, even deep ones, then literally a few days after the procedure the wrinkles will completely disappear.
With Botox you can give the ideal shape to any part of the body.
A description of the effect of this procedure, as well as before and after photos, can be found in this article.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Flaws |
|
|
Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):
It is important to get botulinum toxin injections only from an experienced specialist, since an insufficient dose does not lead to the desired effect. In this regard, it is necessary to re-administer the drug, which leads to the formation of antibodies to the drug. As a result, the effectiveness of injections is reduced.
Harm
Recently, European and American scientists have been actively researching the properties of Botox and its effect on the human body. According to experts, the public is still not aware of its benefits and harms.
But now, as more and more evidence appears about the dangers of this drug, cosmetologists around the world are stopping its use, replacing it with other substances that are less dangerous. These include hyaluronic acid.
Botox itself is a substance obtained from a very dangerous poison of a protein nature, from botulinum toxin bacteria. Such a serious drug has a lot of side effects that are common. These include headache, subcutaneous hemorrhages, watery eyes, weakness and dizziness, bruising and swelling. But there are also more serious ones - muscle paralysis, changes in facial proportions, impaired sensitivity and various aesthetic consequences.
Over the past few years, scientists have been saying that along with well-known side effects, there is also hidden harm to the body as a whole. Thus, Italian researchers came to the conclusion that some Botox particles do not disappear from the body, but remain in healthy cells and affect brain activity and the nervous system.
Moreover, American scientists claim that regular Botox injections can be fatal. A dose of 160 nanograms per 80 kg of human body can be fatal, they say.
Another danger is that Botox, once it enters the body, begins to interact with tissues and blood vessels. Regular injections can cause blood clots to form.
In addition, doctors' argument against Botox for wrinkles is that, by its nature, this poison can cause poisoning in some people, and it is difficult to predict such a reaction in advance.
What drugs are used
Botox
Manufacturer: Allergan (USA). Release form: glass bottle 100 units. Validity period: 6 months.
Ingredients: botulinum toxin type A, human serum albumin, sodium chloride.
A first generation drug that is considered a “golden classic”. It has the largest molecules (900 kDa), so the possibility of spreading into neighboring tissues is lower than that of its analogues.
Dysport
Manufacturer: Ipsen (France). Release form: glass bottle 300/500 units. Validity period: 5 months.
Ingredients: botulinum toxin type A, serum albumin, lactose.
It has been produced since 2002 and ranks second in popularity after the original drug. The molecular size is from 500-800 kDa. It has less impact, so you need 2.5 times more substance than Botox.
Xeomin
Manufacturer: Merz Aesthetics (Germany). Release form: bottle 50/100 units. Validity period: 4-5 months.
Ingredients: botulinum toxin without impurities of proteins of bacterial origin, albumin, sucrose.
It has a small molecular weight of 150 kDa, so it can be injected into small muscles. It is most often used in the upper part of the face to eliminate transverse and longitudinal folds on the forehead.
Rayfanex
Manufacturer: KC Pharmaceuticals Factory/MedicalReseachInstitute (Japan). Release form: glass bottle 50/100 units. Validity period: 7-8 months.
Ingredients: botulinum toxin type A, albumin protein, dextran, mannitol.
Japanese Botox has an improved formula and a low risk of negative consequences. Due to the minimal spread of the drug in the injection area, there is no chance of temporary muscle sagging.
Botulax
Manufacturer: Hugel Inc (South Korea). Release form: glass bottle 50/100 units. Validity period: 4-6 months.
Ingredients: neurotoxin type A, proteins, sodium salt of hydrochloric acid.
Korean relaxant with peripheral effects, stabilized by auxiliary components. In Russia, the product was registered in 2020. The official distributor is Martinex.
Rules
Rejuvenation will be safe and effective if you prepare in advance. A week before the procedure, you should give up alcohol, stick to a simple diet and stop taking medications. Before administration, the doctor must conduct a diagnosis and make sure there are no contraindications.
The most difficult stage is marking. To do this, the specifics of the patient's facial expressions are studied. Having identified the points and calculated the dosage, the specialist dilutes the drug with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution and begins injections.
Sequence of procedure:
- Cleansing and disinfection of skin.
- Treatment of the face with an anesthetic.
- Injection of toxin. The injections are made to a depth of 2-3 millimeters, the muscle is first compressed with the fingers. After removing the needle, the area is slightly rubbed.
- Wiping the face with a damp swab.
The manipulation lasts up to half an hour and can be accompanied by 20-25 injections, which account for 200 units of the drug. However, most often a session consists of 10 injections, when up to 80 units are administered.
After the procedure, the specialist records the name of the toxin, the schedule of administration, its quantity and gives recommendations regarding further care.
Course duration
Botox works while the innervation of the nerve endings is restored. The process starts when it enters the cell, but the substance is suppressed after 3-4 months. The effect fades away gradually over several more months.
There are opinions about addiction to Botox. These are not myths, since with constant injections in small doses, insensitivity appears due to the production of antibodies to the toxin.
Some cosmetologists use a minimal amount of the drug during the first injection, and then add it later.
It is important that the interval between injections is at least six months, even with small volumes. The next procedure is prescribed only after the muscle has been restored.
Aftercare
Botulinum therapy is not accompanied by long-term rehabilitation. After injections, you do not need to change your lifestyle, just follow some rules.
To ensure uniform distribution of the substance during the first hours, you cannot:
- tilt;
- take a horizontal position;
- massage and touch your face with your hands;
- wash with hot water.
Further, the following restrictions must be observed:
- avoid exposure to the sun;
- avoid sudden changes in temperature;
- do not massage;
- do not injure the skin with aggressive means and procedures;
- do not drink alcohol;
- do not exercise;
- do not take medications (containing prostaglandin, low molecular weight dextran, and calcium channel blockers);
- sleep on a high pillow.
Deadlines
The effect is not visible immediately after the injections; it takes time to distribute the drug. The first effect will be noticeable on day 5, the final result will occur in 12-14 days.
Read about when the results of the procedure begin to appear here.
How long does it last?
Botox will gradually break down in the body over 6 months - 1 procedure, after the second the effect can last 9-12 months. Use no more than 2 times a year.
How long the effect of Botox lasts is discussed in a separate article, and how often the procedure can be performed is described here.
We invite you to watch a video about how long the Botox procedure lasts:
Precautionary measures
Side effects:
- hematomas, compactions, itching;
- headache;
- flu-like syndrome;
- ptosis;
- facial expression disorder;
- facial asymmetry;
- spasms of the eyelids;
- loss of sensation at injection sites;
- rash, pimples with purulent contents;
- swallowing disorder;
- difficulty blinking;
- blepharoptosis.
If negative consequences occur or the result is unsatisfactory, compensatory injections are performed.
If the result is not satisfactory, then the toxin can be removed. For this purpose, medication and physiotherapeutic treatment are used. In particular, microcurrent therapy. Myostimulation activates blood circulation and restores the functionality of facial expressions. A direct antidote is the substance dimethylethanolamine, which tones the muscles.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy, lactation;
- acute form of ARVI;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- oncology;
- epilepsy;
- hernias on the upper and lower eyelids;
- gravitational ptosis;
- myasthenic syndromes;
- neuromuscular disorders;
- autoimmune diseases;
- epilepsy;
- damaged skin on the face.
Beauty injections are not for everyone
You can hear everywhere that fillers are completely safe for health, and “hyaluronic acid” is eliminated from the body and is not addictive. However, if everything is so good, why are there indications for which, despite all the “safety” of the drugs, the following injections still cannot be given:
- Autoimmune and endocrine diseases;
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Panic fear of blood or needles;
- Problems with blood vessels;
- High risk of allergies.
There are also high-risk areas on any face where blood vessels are particularly close. When filler is injected into this area, blockage of blood vessels can occur, which in turn can lead to a lot of troubles, including tissue necrosis.
Of course, cosmetologists promise girls who want to become even more beautiful a stunning effect without any consequences
It is important to remember that any intervention in the body can lead to unpredictable results, so before deciding to inject fillers, think carefully!
Alternative to Botox
Patients who are immune to the action of botulinum toxin type A can use the American drug Myoblok, which is based on type B toxin.
The product is produced in California by Solstice Neurosciences and differs from its analogues in its potency and safety. One unit is 100 times weaker than a unit of Botox. The effect lasts from 3 to 4 months.
To replace injections, Thai liquid Botox is used. YaYa's Alternative Botox Serum spray contains predominantly natural ingredients .
The product fights external signs of aging and does not affect facial expressions. After use, muscle relaxation and smoothing of small facial wrinkles are noted.
Cost of the procedure
The cost of botulinum therapy depends on the type of drug and the area being treated. You can buy drugs in specialized online stores and pharmacies.
Attention! Prices in salons are per unit of administered substance.
Moscow
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Center for cosmetology and hair removal "Doctor Laser" | Michurinsky Ave., 25, bldg. 2 | 320 | +7 |
| Beauty salon "Else style" | st. Generala Glagolev, 26, p.4 | 450 | +7 |
| Beauty salon "Mont Plaisir" | st. Sergeya Makeeva, 1 | 430 | +7 |
Krasnoyarsk
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Clinic "Face & Body" | st. Alekseeva, 8 | 350 | +7 |
| Laser cosmetology center "O.K." | st. Alekseeva, 111 | 400 | +7 |
| Medical and cosmetology | st. Vzletnaya, 26g | 360 | +7 |
Novosibirsk
Botox
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Beauty salon "Marlene" | st. Pisareva, 53 | 300 | +7 |
| Medical | st. Dusi Kovalchuk, 270/3 | 350 | +7 |
| Clinic of medical cosmetology "Art-Medica" | st. Zheleznodorozhnaya, 22 | 300 | +7 |
Orenburg
Dysport
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Clinic "Maximed" | st. Avtoremontnaya, 1, building 4 | 130 | +7 |
| Medical | st. Eastern, 42/2 | 120 | +7 |
| Cosmetology “Universe of Harmony and Beauty” | st. Ostrovsky, 45 | 120 | +7 |
Belgorod
Xeomin
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Cosmetology clinic "East-West" | st. Pushkina, 67 | 460 | +7 |
| Family Medicine Center "Life-Giving Spring" | st. Vokzalnaya, 26a, building 1 | 350 | +7 |
| Unite Clinic | 330 | +7 |
Irkutsk
Dysport
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| "Center for Innovative Medicine" | st. Timiryazeva, 16 | 140 | +7 |
| Center for Medical Cosmetology "Ashi" | st. Deputatskaya, 25 | 110 | +7 |
| Center for Aesthetic Medicine "Satel" | st. December Events, 100 | 160 | +7 |
Bryansk
Botox
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Center for Aesthetic Cosmetology "Larus" | Boulevard 50 Let Oktyabrya, 3 | 280 | +7 |
| Cosmetology "Ethel" | st. Romashina, 32 | 280 | +7 |
| Medical | st. Krakhmaleva, 47 | 320 | +7 |
Samara
Botox
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| "Postnikov Clinic" | st. 6th clearing, 165 | 300 | +7 |
| Medical Clinic "Daliz" | st. Alexey Tolstoy, 78 | 330 | +7 |
| Clinic "Doctor Bormental" | st. Sadovaya, 335 | 250 | +7 |
Ufa
Dysport
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Surgery Clinic "Uhelp" | st. Academician Uraksina, 3 | 150 | +7 |
| Medical | st. Salavata, 13 | 100 | +7 |
| Clinic "Be Healthy" | Oktyabrya Ave., 6/1 | 100 | +7 |
Ekaterinburg
Xeomin
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Medical | st. Tveritina, 16 | 320 | +7 |
| Clinic "Magnolia" | st. Bolshakova, 61 | 300 | +7 |
| "Family Clinic" | st. Klyuchevskaya, 15 | 300 | +7 |
Volgograd
Dysport
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Medical | st. Pugachevskaya, 7b | 110 | +7 |
| Clinic "Olympus" | st. Rokossovsky, 62 | 110 | +7 |
| Clinic "Movement" | st. Rionskaya, 2 | 150 | +7 |
Tambov
Botox
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Center for diagnostics and treatment "Tambovmedservice" | st. Kronstadtskaya, 14b | 350 | +7 |
| Clinic "Doctor Profi" | st. Sovetskaya, 181 | 250 | +7 |
| Beauty Clinic | st. Svobodnaya, 12a | 300 | +7 |
Arkhangelsk
Botox
| Name of the clinic/salon | Address | Price | Telephone |
| Clinic "Persona" | st. Vyucheyskogo, 25 | 260 | +7 |
| Medical Clinic "Academy of Health" | Dzerzhinsky Ave., 7, bldg. 4 | 340 | +7 |
| Clinic "Aesculapius" | st. Loginova, 21, bldg. 1 | 400 | +7 |
