Botox® is the best-known name for an active substance that many people know but few know in more detail: botulinum toxin type A. In aesthetic medicine it has been used for years to smooth expression lines – for example the frown line between the eyebrows.
Before a treatment the same questions usually come up: How does the product work? How long does it last? And what can happen? The following ten points give a factual overview. They do not replace the personal consultation, but help you go in well prepared.
10 things you should know
1. Botox® relaxes muscles – it does not fill anything
Botulinum toxin temporarily inhibits signal transmission from the nerve to the muscle. The treated muscle contracts less strongly, the skin above it becomes smoother. The effect is completely reversible: after a few months the body forms new nerve connections and muscle activity returns.
2. It acts on expression lines, not on loss of volume
Botulinum toxin is suitable for wrinkles that arise from muscle movement. Typical areas are the frown line, horizontal forehead lines and the crow's feet at the eyes. Products are approved in Germany for these areas. Other areas are possible, but are treated outside the approval and are discussed separately beforehand.
Botulinum toxin does not solve deep wrinkles at rest or lost volume, for example on the cheeks or lips. Here hyaluronic acid is more likely to come into question. Our article Hyaluronic acid vs. Botox® explains the difference.
3. It is also used medically
Botulinum toxin has been an established medicine for decades, for example in neurology. In our practice we also use it to treat excessive sweating of the armpits (hyperhidrosis). More on this on the page Anti-sweat treatment.
4. Before the treatment comes the consultation
In the conversation the physician clarifies your wishes, pre-existing conditions, medication and previous treatments. She explains which areas make sense, what is realistically achievable and what risks there are. Only then do you decide whether you want the treatment.
5. The treatment itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes
With a very fine needle the product is injected into a few precisely determined points. Most people find the pricks brief and quite bearable; anaesthesia is usually not necessary. Afterwards you can continue your day.
6. The effect comes after days, not immediately
First changes usually appear after two to five days. The full effect is reached after about two weeks. Only then can the result be assessed.
7. The result usually lasts three to four months
How long the effect lasts is individual. It is often three to four months, sometimes shorter or longer. Muscle strength, metabolism and the treated area play a role. Whether and when a further treatment makes sense, you discuss with the physician.
8. Side effects are possible
Brief redness, slight swelling or small bruises at the injection sites are common, occasionally headaches. More rarely an eyelid or an eyebrow can droop temporarily, or the facial expression looks uneven. These effects recede as the effect wears off. Allergic reactions are very rare.
9. Not everyone should be treated
Treatment is not carried out during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The same applies in certain diseases of the nerves and muscles, such as myasthenia gravis, and in cases of inflammation in the treatment area. Some medications, for example certain antibiotics or blood thinners, can play a role. That is why the physician asks precisely beforehand.
10. After the treatment: observe the instructions
In the first hours you should not massage or rub the treated areas and should not lie flat. On the day of treatment it is better to avoid sport, sauna and sunbeds. You receive the precise instructions for your treatment at the practice.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and belongs in medical hands. This includes precise knowledge of facial anatomy, the right dosage and the ability to react correctly in case of problems.
Deciding well informed
Botulinum toxin can visibly smooth expression lines, but acts only temporarily and is not the right product for every wrinkle. An open consultation clarifies whether the treatment suits you and what you can realistically expect.
The cost follows the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ) and the number of treated areas. Health insurers do not usually cover aesthetic treatments.
Read on:
- Procedure, prices and appointment booking: Botox® treatment in Bonn
- Prevent early? Preventive Botox® from 30
- Wrinkles or volume? Hyaluronic acid vs. Botox®
The Alpha Skin practice is located at Theaterplatz 1b in Bonn-Bad Godesberg.