Botulinum toxin has been used by cosmetologists all over the world in their practice for more than 15 years. Preparations containing botulinum toxin are surrounded by a mass of conjectures and myths – moreover, both cosmetologists and their patients would like to know the truth about it, since research on its properties continues, and the list of indications for which botulinum toxin preparations could become useful for patients is constantly expanding.
Let's try to figure out what is true in the flow of information about botulinum toxin and what is not. Especially for readers of estet-portal.com Irina Ivanovna Venediktova - cosmetologist at the Arbat Estetik clinic, an international-class trainer-expert on Merz injectables, a specialist in the field of functional and anti-aging medicine^ will help dispel the most popular of the current myths about botulinum toxin injections.
Irina Ivanovna Venediktova
cosmetologist at the Arbat Estetik clinic,
international expert trainer in injectables Merz,
specialist in functional and anti-aging medicine
Some patients associate Botox with a poisonous substance – botulinum toxin and are afraid when a cosmetologist recommends botulinum therapy to them. How to convince the patient that his fears are groundless?
How safe are botulinum toxin injections?
I.V. Botox has already become a household name. In fact, this is the brand name of the drug, which is produced by Allergan. There are its analogues (Xeomin, Lantox, Dysport), produced in different countries by different companies, essentially identical to each other. All of them are group A neurotoxins. But, nevertheless, despite different brands and manufacturing countries, these drugs are commonly called Botox.
There is an opinion that Botox injections are highly toxic, because the drug belongs to the group of neurotoxins. Indeed, botulinum toxin causes dangerous food poisoning. But the safety of botulinum toxin injections is ensured by acceptable therapeutic dosages, point injection into certain muscles. This limits its systemic action in the body.
Botulinum toxin injections are not only used for wrinkles on the face, as many people think. Therapeutic doses of the drug are administered to children with muscle spasms and cerebral palsy. In fact, the effectiveness of botulinum toxin against wrinkles has been proven during clinical studies in the treatment of muscle spasms. Now it is used in the treatment of sweating, migraines, strabismus, the treatment of various types of scars and many other diseases.
Can Botulinum Toxin addiction develop if multiple injections are used
I.V. It is not true that frequent injections of botulinum toxin can lead to addiction. The drug does not have a cumulative effect, so there can be no dependence on it. Insensitivity to the drug may develop. This is due to the body's production of antibodies to the drug. According to statistics, this is usually a quarter of the total number of patients. The reasons may be different - both frequent uncontrolled use, and the condition of patients after certain vaccinations, when antibodies are already formed.
It is more likely that patients who have been injecting this drug for many years have noticed an obvious benefit from it, rather than harm. Especially today, when there are so many drugs used in contour plastics on the market, and there is something to compare with. But still, botulinum toxin injections are still in demand procedures.
Does the patient experience pain when receiving botulinum toxin preparations?
IV Botox injections are painless because very thin needles are used during injection. For those with a low pain threshold, an anesthetic cream is applied.
It happens that patients are afraid of losing facial expression – believe that botulinum toxin can distort facial expressions and cause it to freeze…
I.V. Indeed, one of the common misconceptions is that Botox changes facial expressions. Yes, within a week after the procedure, the effect of limiting facial expressions develops. The result of the procedure depends entirely on the administered dose of the drug, on the experience and professionalism of the specialist conducting it. He chooses the place of injection of the drug and its amount. If the dosage is exceeded and the drug is administered incorrectly, the effect of it may not please the patient. Therefore, the procedure must be performed by an experienced doctor with a proper certificate confirming his professionalism in this field, and, of course, only in a specialized clinic.
Is it possible to inject Botox often? Does the drug lose effectiveness with frequent use?
I.V. Botulinum toxin injections should not be given often, as this contributes to the early production of antibodies. Accordingly, the effectiveness of any botulinum toxin preparation decreases over time. This can happen with the introduction of large doses of the drug, and if there was a break between injections of less than two months. To date, there is a drug on the market in which the content of the complex forming proteins is minimized. For this reason, the effect of the procedure lasts the same, but for certain problems it can be injected more often.
Are there many complications after Botox?
I.V. Many patients are afraid of unexpected side effects after botulinum toxin injections, but they are all reversible, and most importantly – completely disappear after a certain time. Of the already observed adverse reactions – eyebrow ptosis and facial asymmetry, impaired articulation of speech, difficulty swallowing. From injections, bruises, pain, redness can sometimes appear – this is a valid state after any injections.
It is also believed that the most common complication after injections of botulinum toxin — drooping eyelids (ptosis). It develops within two weeks after the procedure. Such a reaction can occur after the introduction of botulinum toxin into the frontalis muscle. The doctor should warn the patient not to rub the injection area, because. this may increase the diffusion of the drug into adjacent muscles, stay up for 4 hours after the procedure and do not drink alcohol on that day.
Recovery from unwanted side effects occurs naturally within 4 months. But there are methods and procedures that allow you to speed up the recovery of lost facial functions of muscles.
Can Botox be used for lip augmentation?
IV In fact, botulinum toxin preparations are absolutely not suitable for lip augmentation. Gel preparations based on hyaluronic acid are used for this purpose. They are completely safe for the human body. This includes, for example, Belotero Basic or JuvidermSmile - special preparations used to correct the volume of the lips. But botulinum toxin really helps to correct purse-string wrinkles around the lips.
Can I save money by doing injections at home or in a salon?
What is your opinion?
I.V. Actually, you can save money. But in this case, there are risks that the patient should be aware of: he may be injected with expired, unlicensed or dubious drugs. Is it worth it? I personally - I think that health comes first!
Injections should only be performed by qualified professionals otherwise there is a risk of unsightly and unwanted side effects – such as:
- artificial face effect ("mask");
- ptosis (drooping) of the eyebrows, upper eyelid;
- facial asymmetry;
- no result.
Therefore, you need to be very careful about your health and turn only to competent specialists.
Source estet-portal.com
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