Botox
Botox
What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment method containing botulinum toxin type A. This protein, derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, helps reduce wrinkles and treat various medical conditions by temporarily relaxing muscles. Used safely in aesthetic medicine for over 30 years, botox has become the gold standard in facial rejuvenation procedures.
Botox application prevents dynamic wrinkles by reducing muscle activity and helps the skin achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance. As a minimally invasive procedure, botox offers effective results without requiring surgical intervention.
Who Can Get Botox?
Botox application can generally be performed on adults over 18 years of age, but the ideal age range for aesthetic purposes is between 25-65. Ideal candidates for botox include:
- Individuals with dynamic wrinkles (lines formed by facial expressions) on their face
- Those who want to prevent or reduce signs of aging
- Individuals with frown lines, forehead lines, or wrinkles around the eyes
- Those experiencing excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Patients suffering from migraines and chronic headaches
- Those with jaw clenching (bruxism) problems
- Individuals with a square jaw appearance due to overdeveloped masseter muscles
However, botox application is not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, those with neuromuscular diseases, and people with allergies to botulinum toxin. Additionally, if there is an active infection or skin disease in the treatment area, the procedure should be postponed.
Which Areas Can Botox Be Applied To?
Botox applications can be used in a wide variety of areas for both aesthetic and medical purposes. Here are the most common areas for botox applications:
Facial Area
Forehead Botox: Horizontal lines forming in the forehead area are one of the most prominent signs of aging. Forehead botox prevents the formation of these lines and softens existing wrinkles by limiting the movement of the frontalis muscle, which becomes active when raising the eyebrows.
Between Eyebrows Botox (Glabella): Botox applied to the vertical lines that form between the eyebrows as a result of frowning gives the person a more rested and friendly expression. This area is one of the most frequently treated with botox applications.
Eyebrow Lift Botox: Applied for eyebrows that droop with age, this treatment allows the eyebrows to naturally lift slightly through strategic injections at the tail sections of the eyebrows. This creates a more open and youthful appearance around the eyes.
Eye Area Botox (Crow’s Feet): Botox applied to the fine lines that become prominent at the outer corners of the eyes during smiling provides a smoother skin appearance around the eyes. These wrinkles, known as crow’s feet, are one of the areas where botox is most effective.
Under-Eye Botox: This special botox technique applied for under-eye puffiness and fine wrinkles creates a more refreshed appearance around the eyes by relaxing the lower eyelid muscles.
Nose Botox (Bunny Lines): Botox applied to the lines that form at the bridge of the nose during smiling or facial expressions eliminates these small but noticeable wrinkles.
Jaw and Mouth Area
Masseter Botox (Jaw Clenching): Botox applied to the chewing muscles (masseter) serves both aesthetic and medical purposes. While slimming the square jaw appearance caused by overdeveloped jaw muscles, it is also effective in treating teeth grinding and jaw clenching problems.
Chin Botox: Botox applied for the orange peel appearance and wrinkles at the chin tip creates a smoother and more refined chin appearance by relaxing the chin muscles.
Lip Botox (Gummy Smile): Botox applied in cases of excessive gum visibility during smiling (gummy smile) provides a more aesthetic smile line by limiting the movement of the upper lip muscles.
Mouth Corner Botox (Marionette Lines): Botox applied to the lines extending from the mouth corners toward the chin creates a happier and more youthful facial expression by slightly lifting the mouth corners.
Neck and Décolletage
Neck Botox (Platysma Bands): Botox applied for vertical bands and wrinkles that become prominent in the neck with age helps achieve a more youthful and smooth appearance in the neck by relaxing the platysma muscle.
Décolletage Botox: Décolletage botox applied for vertical lines and wrinkles forming in the chest area provides smoothing and rejuvenation of the skin tissue in this area.
Medical Botox Applications
Excessive Sweating Botox (Hyperhidrosis): Botox applied for people experiencing excessive sweating problems in areas such as underarms, palms, and soles significantly alleviates this discomfort by reducing the activity of sweat glands.
Migraine Botox: An FDA-approved method for chronic migraine treatment, botox reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks by being injected into specific points in the head, neck, and shoulder area.
Bruxism Botox (Teeth Clenching): Botox applied to the chewing muscles in people with teeth clenching and grinding habits, especially during sleep, both prevents tooth damage and reduces jaw pain by decreasing muscle activity.
What Are the Types of Botox?
There are many botox brands on the market. Each contains botulinum toxin type A, but their formulations and properties may differ:
Botox® (Allergan): Used since 1989, it is the oldest and most widely known botox brand. FDA-approved Botox has a wide range of uses for both cosmetic and medical purposes. It is a reliable product preferred by millions of people worldwide.
Dysport® (Galderma): A French-origin botox brand. It acts faster than Botox and has the property of spreading over a wider area due to its molecular structure. It is preferred especially in treatments that need to be applied to large areas.
Xeomin® (Merz): German-origin Xeomin is known as “naked” botulinum toxin because it does not contain protective proteins. Thanks to this feature, the risk of allergies is lower and the likelihood of the body developing antibodies decreases. The risk of losing effectiveness in repeated applications is less.
Jeuveau® (Evolus): A relatively new product and has received FDA approval specifically for aesthetic use. Also referred to as “Newtox,” Jeuveau is effective in treating wrinkles in the glabella area.
Myobloc® / Neurobloc® (US Worldmeds): Unlike others, this product contains botulinum toxin type B. It is used as an alternative especially in patients who develop resistance to botulinum toxin type A and is preferred in medical conditions such as cervical dystonia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox
Does botox make the face look frozen?
No, when applied by a professional physician at the right dose and to the right areas, botox does not make the face look frozen. Modern botox applications aim to reduce only unwanted wrinkles while preserving natural facial expressions. A feeling of stiffness in the face may occur in cases of excessive dosage or incorrect application technique, so it is important to consult an experienced specialist.
How long is botox effective?
The effect of botox application lasts an average of 3-6 months. This duration may vary depending on the person’s metabolism, muscle structure, lifestyle, and the area treated. While the effect duration may be shorter in initial applications, this period may extend with regular applications.
How often should botox application be repeated?
When the botox effect begins to diminish, it is generally recommended to repeat at 4-6 month intervals. However, this period may vary depending on personal factors. In people who have regular applications, application intervals may lengthen over time due to the muscles becoming accustomed to botox.
Is botox application painful?
Botox application is a minimally invasive procedure and generally causes very little discomfort. Since the needle is very fine, no pain is experienced except for a slight needle prick sensation. If desired, topical anesthetic cream can be applied to the area before the procedure or a cold compress can be used.
Can you return to daily activities immediately after botox application?
Yes, botox application is also known as a “lunchtime procedure” because it does not require recovery time. You can immediately return to normal activities after the procedure. However, it is recommended to avoid bending the head forward, doing intense exercise, and rubbing the application area for the first 4-6 hours.
At what age can botox be started?
Although legally the minimum age for botox application is 18, aesthetic botox is generally recommended to start between the ages of 25-30. Application as “preventive botox” at an early age can prevent the formation of wrinkles. In medical botox applications, the age limit may vary depending on the situation.
Is botox application safe for pregnant or nursing mothers?
No, botox application is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During these periods, application is not preferred for safety reasons as the potential effects of botox on the baby have not been sufficiently researched. Those planning pregnancy are also advised to wait for a certain period before and after botox.
What is the difference between botox and fillers?
Botox and fillers are two separate procedures used for different purposes. While botox prevents dynamic wrinkles by temporarily limiting muscle movement, filler materials (such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite) add volume to areas with volume loss and fill static wrinkles. Botox is a protein-based toxin, while filler is a gel-like substance injected under the skin.
Can you wash your face after botox application?
Yes, the face can be gently washed 4-6 hours after botox application. However, rubbing or massaging the application area should be avoided. It is recommended not to use very hot water within the first 24 hours and not to go to the sauna or Turkish bath. It is important to make gentle movements when washing the face and avoid wiping the area harshly.