What is Botox?
Botox, which is derived from the bacterium named Clostridium Botulinum under laboratory conditions, is one of the most potent poisons known that acts on the nerves. Botox is not a medication name, but a generic brand name. The full name of the active chemical is Botulinum Toxin Type A. Today, botox is successfully used in the treatment of many disorders. Botox is used in medicine in relaxing the muscles that have contracted following the paralysis, in aesthetic surgery for cosmetic purposes, in eyelid paralysis, excessive sweating, migraine, vaginismus, strabismus treatments and bruxism.
The use of botox in aesthetic medicine
In recent years, botox is one of the most important instruments, especially in the treatments fighting against wrinkles. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it takes the first place. Botox injections are used to correct the lines formed on the forehead and around the eyes due to the contraction of dynamic muscles called mimic lines. Toxin cleaves to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that provides muscle and nerve transmission, and prevents the contraction of the target muscles. This actually is not a paralysis. We have motor stimuli and sensory stimuli. Botox does not affect our emotions because acetylcholine is not the substance that makes us feel. The substance used is actually a liquid that temporarily reduces or completely stops muscle movements.
Does Botox cause an artificial look?
It is possible to prevent dull and artificial appearance after botox. The aim should be to reduce muscle movements; not to stop them. In this way, it is possible to make a completely natural looking face. For example, if an eye area is completely blocked with 12 units according to the theoretical information, a natural appearance can be obtained by using 7-8 units instead of 12. Thus, a more consistent result can be obtained with the patient’s age and social status. A 60-year-old person would not need to have an over-stretched skin.
How long do the effects of botox last?
The effects are not permanent. The effects disappear when the nerve that stimulates the muscle repairs itself, stimulates the muscle and the muscle starts to contract again. So if you don’t have botox injection again, after a while, the muscle resumes. Muscle should not be completely blocked, instead, the functions of the muscle should be ceased. Because tiny capillaries pass through the muscles and they also nourish the skin.
In which areas is botox injected?
Forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet) and between the eyebrows. In addition, applications such as smoothing the neck lines, elevating or dropping eyebrows, bunny lines on the nose, vertical lines over the lip, sulking lines on the lip corners, lifting the nose tip.
Botoks hakkında en doğru bilgiler
- It is not snake venom. It is a protein and is produced from bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum under laboratory conditions.
- It is one of the safest, easiest and most economical methods of removing wrinkles and fine lines appearing on the face and neck.
- The patient does not feel any pain or ache during the application, except for the needles. It is applied in 10 minutes and its effects last for 3 to 6 months.
- Patients who have the application can continue their lives on the same day.
- It is applicable to almost everyone. There are no side effects registered in the literature. The exceptions are pregnant women and people with muscle diseases.
- It is not permanent. Generally, it should be reapplied after 4 months. This period may extend up to 6 months for some people.
- It is a method that can be applied only to the muscles with definite both ends. So it is not applicable to every part of the face.
- It does not regenerate the skin, but prevents the emergence of new wrinkles and deepening of the existing ones, helping to reveal smoother and radiant skin. The effect occurs indirectly by blocking the muscle that causes the formation of wrinkles.
Masseter Botox
It is an aesthetic procedure of thinning of the lower face where the Masseter muscle is located. Treatment of deformities in the lower face is targeted. A more proportional face shape is obtained by thinning the square face shape, which gives a masculine and stern expression to the face. Some habits directly affect the jaw muscles to over-develop and enlarge. The most important one is the habit of jaw clenching. In addition, excessive gum chewing can also lead to the development of the masseter muscle.
Reshaping the face with Masseter Botox
Nowadays, women who have particularly round or square type faces, resort the masseter botox process to gain a more aesthetic and attractive appearance. Botox provides a new and a good option for non-surgical technique to refine and reshape the face. Moreover, this process allows you to turn the round and square face shapes into triangular, oval or heart shaped ones by thinning the chin without cuts, pain, or sutures. Usually, the masseter muscle softens within a week, and after 6 weeks it is possible to see the final shape of the new chin. With Masseter botox, long-lasting, symmetrical and aesthetic results are achieved. Patients are recommended to receive a second treatment 2 to 4 months later following the first one. Most people don’t need a third treatment, but another session can be required for faces that need more refinement.
Does pain occur when eating after Masseter botox?
No pain is felt while eating. However, sensitivity may occur during chewing gums, jelly candies and hard foods.
Who are not recommended to have Masseter Botox application?
As the effects of botox injections are not permanent, critical side effects are also very few. As a precaution, botox is not applied to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, to people with health problems or bleeding problems related to nerves and muscles, and to those who have skin diseases in the area where treatment is desired to be applied. Masseter botox is not applied to individuals with active dental infection.
How many types of botox are there?
In our country, there are two FDA approved brands, including Botox® and Dysport®, which contains botulinum toxin, which is currently in use.