Botulinum Toxin - pruksaclinic

Botulinum Toxin is one of the top procedures used to contour the face, reduce wrinkles, reduce sweat, and reduce body odor. It is very popular in Thailand. Although the results are not permanent, it is undeniable that injections lead to noticeable and significant changes. The effects are seen quite quickly, which is why many people are now interested in using Botulinum Toxin to contour their face and enhance their youthful appearance.

What is Botulinum Toxin?

Trade name : Botulinum Toxin Type A, or many people called Botox. which is a substance extracted from a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. It has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).

How does Botulinum Toxin work?

Botulinum Toxin is used in the field of cosmetic enhancement. When injected, it acts as a neurotoxin affecting the nervous system. It temporarily reduces muscle activity and muscle movement, helping to reduce wrinkles, slim the jawline, contour the face, and tighten the skin. Therefore, is popularly used to reduce wrinkles caused by facial expressions on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. It is also used to reduce the size of the jaw muscles, contour the face to make it slimmer, and lift the face to make it look more firm. Additionally, Botulinum Toxin is used to reduce sweating in areas such as the underarms, palms, and soles of the feet.

Results from Botulinum Toxin Injections

The time it takes to see results varies depending on the injection site, the brand of Botulinum Toxin, the size of the muscle, and the amount of Botulinum Toxin used. The approximate time to see results in each area is as follows:

Jawline: About 4-6 weeks
Wrinkles: About 2 weeks
Face lift: About 2-4 weeks

After Botulinum Toxin injections, the effects typically last around 4-8 months, depending on various factors such as the injection site, the brand of Botulinum Toxin, and post-injection care.

Where can Botulinum Toxin be injected and what are its benefits?

Jawline: Helps relax and weaken the jaw muscles, reducing their size and making the face appear slimmer. Suitable for individuals with large jaw muscles, but not recommended for those with sunken cheeks and significant facial sagging.
Face Lift: Helps tighten the skin around the jawline, creating a more defined jawbone and well-contoured face. It can also make the face appear slimmer. Suitable for patients without significant sagging issues.
Underarms or Sweat Reduction: Helps reduce the activity of sweat glands, leading to less sweating, especially in the underarm area. As sweating decreases, body odor also reduces.
Nose Wings: Helps narrow the appearance of wide nasal wings, making the nostrils look smaller.
Wrinkles: Helps reduce wrinkles that appear with facial expressions on the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and on the nose. This leads to smoother, tighter skin, a more youthful appearance, and can prevent permanent wrinkles on the face.
Calf Reduction: Helps slim down the calf muscles, allowing for a more confident display of slender legs.
Pores: Helps tighten large pores and reduces facial oiliness.

How many brands of Botulinum Toxin are there and what are they?

Currently, there are several Botulinum Toxin brands from various countries that meet Thai FDA standards. Each brand has different manufacturing processes, resulting in unique properties and highlights. Pruksa Clinic offers four brands as follows:

Dysport

Dysport is a Botulinum Toxin brand from the UK, with its own unique units. Its main feature is a wide distribution of the drug, rather than being concentrated in narrow spots. It is ideal for lifting the face, tightening the skin, reducing sweat, and shrinking large muscle groups like the upper arms and calves. Its wide distribution makes its effects more noticeable.

Allergan

Xeomin

Xeomin is Botulinum Toxin Type A from Germany. It temporarily reduces muscle activity and size, helping to decrease wrinkles. It is suitable for patients who have developed resistance to other Botox brands. It is commonly used for reducing facial wrinkles, such as on the forehead, between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and fine lines under the eyes. Xeomin is highly pure, and its drug does not concentrate too narrowly, resulting in a natural look without stiffness.

Nabota

Nabota from South Korea is approved by the US FDA and has a purity level of 98.7%. This Korean brand shows quick results, helping to contour the face, reduce the jawline, and diminish wrinkles, giving a youthful appearance. It is particularly effective for urgent needs due to its relatively quick effects compared to other Korean Botulinum Toxin brands.

Preparing for Botulinum Toxin Injections

Choose a reputable clinic and an experienced doctor.
Always verify the Botulinum Toxin product before injection to ensure it is genuine and meets FDA standards. Check that the information on the box and vial match or use the QR code some brands provide to verify the product.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the injection.
If you are taking blood-thinning medication, consult with your doctor beforehand.
Avoid vitamins that can make blood clotting difficult, such as Vitamin E, fish oil, ginseng extract, and ginkgo biloba.
If you have any chronic medical conditions, inform your doctor before receiving Botulinum Toxin injections.

How to Care for Yourself After Botulinum Toxin Injections

After the injection, immediately move and contract the injected muscles 1-2 times.
Avoid lying down for 3 hours.
Avoid all forms of heat and activities that cause facial flushing for about 2 weeks.
Refrain from consuming alcohol, eating barbeque, grilling, shabu-shabu, or any food that requires sitting near a hot stove.
Avoid facial treatments and massages for 2 weeks after the injection.

Is Botulinum Toxin Injection Dangerous?

Genuine Botulinum Toxin is not dangerous. After injection, the drug completely dissolves without leaving any residues. Additionally, safety also depends on the experience of the injecting physician.

How Often Should Botulinum Toxin Be Injected?

Typically, Botulinum Toxin should be injected at least 4-6 months apart from the last injection. It should not be injected too frequently, as this can lead to Botox resistance.