Botulinum Toxin A (Botox)
What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin A is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While technically a brand name, Botox may refer to any injectable form of botulinum toxin type A. In Singapore, 3 types of Botulinum Toxin A are available, namely OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) and IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin).
In 2002, FDA approval extended to aesthetic therapeutic applications. Since then, Botox has been used safely and extensively in the treatment and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles of the face to create a more youthful appearance.
Botox works by blocking nerve signals within the targeted muscles where it is injected, leading to temporary muscle paralysis and relaxation. Small controlled doses of botulinum toxin have been safely utilized for many years to address various conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and in the treatment and prevention of wrinkles. It is even used for bad migraine.
Other common aesthetic applications include treating the jaw muscle (masseters) for a slimmer face, shoulders (trapezius, TrapTox) for a longer neckline, calves for reducing bulk. Xeomin can also be used in a hyperdiluted form for a whole-face 'Botox facelift'.
The effects of Botox are temporary. The molecule is consumed (broken down) over time, which causes the visible effects of Botox treatment to wear off.
Properties of Botox
This is ideal as any unwanted side effects caused by the spread of Botox to surrounding non-target muscles would be reversible with time. For example, eyelid droop or asymmetry of the brows or mouth.
The effect of Botox is predictable. Botox has a dose-dependent relationship where the more units are injected into the target muscle, the stronger the effect on muscle paralysis.
This allows our doctor to customise the outcome based on the individual's preferences. For example, some may prefer to eliminate all dynamic facial lines, while others may prefer a natural effect where they wish to reduce the severity of lines, but preserve muscles of expression.
Botox injection is a quick and safe bedside procedure done in the clinic with little to no downtime.
Botox alone may not be enough in treating deep-set lines called "static lines", that have set in over the years and are present even at facial rest. In these cases, additional therapies may be needed.
Botox is suitable in treating fine lines and wrinkles, but more importantly in preventing them from forming. Fine lines and wrinkles that form with facial expression are called "dynamic lines". When Botox treatment is started early, these dynamic lines can be softened to prevent them from settling into "static lines".
Who is Suitable for Botox?
Botox, as previously discussed, has a wide variety of applications. Commonly treated conditions are mentioned above.
Botox treatments last 3-4 months, but with regular treatment, intervals between treatments may be prolonged to 6-9 months. Lines and wrinkles do not become worse after stopping Botox treatment.
Botox for Hyperhidrosis
During research for aesthetic applications, researchers found that Botox also improves hyperhidrosis, a condition of excessive sweat. Excessive sweat is a disorder characterized by excessive functioning of the sudomotor sweat control system.
This can affect daily function or have negative psychosocial effects.
Sweat reduction can be achieved with botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and aims to restore function and mitigate the psychological and social impact from hyperhidrosis. The most common areas of Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis are the underarms and palms.
Similar to the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, the treatment is temporary and lasts for 3 to 4 months, varying between each individual. This is a fairly costly treatment as large amounts (more than the face) are required to treat all sweat glands in the area.
If you have any questions about other treatments with Botox, do reach out to us.
Works well with:
Fillers and Collagen Stimulators
Rejuran Healer
Additional therapies may be required to treat deeper lines and wrinkles, especially those that form due to natural ageing processes, such as loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. To optimise the results of treatment, we complement Botox with other energy-based devices and procedures that aid in restoring lost volume, collagen remodelling and tissue regeneration.
Profhilo / HA Skinbooster
Gouri
Dermal Fillers
EXOXE Exosomes
Skin Boosters (Non-Injectable)
Rejuran Skin Booster
