Discover the Power of Botulinum Toxin to Erase the Evidence of Time
How does Botulinum Toxin work?
Botulinum Toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When inserted in small, controlled doses into specific facial muscles, it blocks nerve signals, temporarily paralysing the muscles and preventing them from contracting. This results in a smoother appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly those caused by repetitive facial movements.
There have been more than 20 years of use of Botulinum Toxin in Aesthetic Medicine, and the treatment still remains as popular as ever — a testament to how effective and satisfying the treatment is. Here at Freia Medical, we carry different brands of Botulinum Toxin, and if you do not have a preference, our experienced doctors will choose the best one for your skin.
What conditions can Botulinum Toxin treat?
Botulinum Toxin is one of the best ways to reduce unwanted facial wrinkles, slim broad jaws and, little known to many, calf reduction and control excessive sweating.
Botulinum toxin is highly effective in treating concerns, including:
- Dynamic wrinkles (e.g. frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, improvement of square jaw (masseter hypertrophy)
- Calf, trapezius (shoulder) and deltoid muscle reduction
Who is this treatment for?
Botulinum Toxin treatment is suitable for adults seeking to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and/or reduce the bulk of specific muscles.
What to expect?
The treatment session takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes. With numbing creams and adequate distraction, most patients just feel a small prick with the injection, and it is very tolerable. Many of our experienced patients even request to do without the numbing cream. There is no downtime associated with Botulinum Toxin injections. However, there may potentially be some bruising at the injection site or small bumps on the skin from the volume of Botulinum Toxin if injected superficially — but these lumps do clear in a few hours.
- Doctor's Consultation
- Cleansing of Treatment Area
- Application of Numbing Cream
- Treatment
- Post-procedure Recovery Cream
FAQs
Patients typically begin to see the effects of Botulinum Toxin within a few days after the treatment, with optimal results appearing within 1 to 2 weeks. The duration of results varies from person to person but generally lasts 3 to 4 months.
While most patients may achieve their desired results with a single Botulinum Toxin treatment, the effect does wear off after 3 to 4 months. Most individuals benefit from regular maintenance injections every 3 to 4 months to sustain the effects.
Botulinum Toxin is often compared to dermal fillers, which work by adding volume to the skin to smooth out wrinkles and enhance facial contours. While both treatments can address signs of aging, they target different types of wrinkles and we do use them in combination for optimal results.
Complementary treatments to consider include dermal fillers to add volume and enhance one's features, or energy-based devices such as ultrasound treatments, microneedling radiofrequency, and lasers can also help with skin tightening and smooth out some lines as well.
After Botulinum Toxin treatment, patients are advised to avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for 24 hours and to refrain from strenuous exercise or excessive heat exposure.
While Botulinum Toxin injected correctly is generally safe, some potential risks and side effects may include temporary bruising, swelling, redness, or headache. Rare complications such as eyelid drooping, asymmetry, or allergic reactions may occur but are exceedingly uncommon.