
THE HISTORY OF BOTOX
Botox is the most widespread, trustworthy method which has been being used for many years for facial rejuvenation applications. Following its discovery, it was first used for the therapy of strabismus, tics and spastic diseases and after the FDA admission was obtained; its usage for aesthetic applications has experienced a phenomenal increase and become really popular.
Nonetheless, there exists a lot of false information concerning Botox, which is perceived as correct. When Botox is applied in the correct doses at the correct regions, the mimic muscles continue to function. There occurs no unnatural and fixed expression on the face. Your relatives notice that you look great but they do not recognize that an aesthetic surgery has been performed.
In order to achieve natural results, every face should be evaluated differently. Because the position, length and strength of muscles in every face, the position of the eyebrows, skin structure and most importantly, mimics every person uses are different. In relation to this, the regions and depth of wrinkles are different.
Taking these differences into consideration in the operation, it is more effective to apply Botox in personalized doses to necessary regions only.
It optimizes the result to assess the effectiveness of Botox on a control examination 7-10 days after the application and to apply additional doses in small amounts if necessary.
Botox can also be applied prior to formation of any wrinkles. This method which has become very popular recently is called as preventive Botox. With this method which does not affect mimics and can be applied in the 20s, wrinkles are avoided even before they appear and at the same time the eye area appears much more energetic.
WHAT IS BOTOX, HOW DOES IT WORK?
Botox is a bacterial toxin which has been refined under laboratory conditions. It weakens the contraction strength by connecting temporarily to nerve endings which are responsible for the contraction of the muscles.
BOTOX FOR FACE REJUVENATION
In the 1980s, a Canadian doctor used a toxin similar to Botox for the therapy of involuntary tics in the eye area. The patients whom he treated reported that after the therapy their wrinkles in the eye area disappeared and they looked much younger. Today the usage of Botox as a means for rejuvenation, where it is used at most, has been discovered by such coincidence.
The vertical lines at the forehead, the horizontal lines between the eyebrows, the wrinkles around the eye area and the corner of the mouth, make the face the face look tired and old. Botox which is applied in the correct doses at these regions smoothes out wrinkles and assures a younger appearance. Especially thanks to its effect around the eye, it can also assure a fresher, more energetic and aesthetical face.
WHEN DOES THE EFFECT START AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
Within 2-3 days after the application, it slowly starts to show its effect and the full effect is seen in 5-7 days. Generally, this effect lasts for 3 months and then slowly starts to weaken.
The effect of Botox lasts approximately 4-6 months. The effective period can differ from person to person. The age and the region where it has been applied can change the period of the effectiveness.
WHO CAN APPLY BOTOX?
If Botox is applied correctly, there are nearly no side effects. For the correct application, the knowledge of the mimic muscles’ position on the face as well as the 3-dimensional anatomy of the veins and neural structure is very important. Therefore, Botox should be applied by experienced doctors, who has knowledge of the face anatomy very well.
WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION IN FACIAL AESTHETICS?
The wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, at the corners of the nose around the mouth region and also the lines on the neck arise because of the contraction of the mimic muscles. The increase of the wrinkles around the eye area as well as the slight sagging of the eyebrows downwards causes a tired appearance. While the wrinkles between the eyebrows and around the nose cause an angry expression, the thin wrinkles around the mouth can cause a sad appearance. With the application of Botox, the mimic muscles are weakened and without damaging the natural expression of the face, a younger, more energetic and aesthetical look is ensured.
HOW LONG DOES THE OPERATION TAKE AND IS IT PAINFUL?
Botox application takes 10 minutes on average. If desired, an anesthetic cream can be applied on the skin before the application. Botox application should be personal. The size, strength and length of the mimic muscles, the position of the eyebrows, etc. are different from person to person. During the preoperational stage, you will be asked to make mimic movements, in order to measure the muscles strength as well as the muscle movements and to see whether they leave wrinkles on the skin. With the evaluation of the neutral position, the injection points are marked. With the help of thin-ended needles, the injections are made. Botox application does not cause any disturbing pain, a slight burning sensation arises. After the application, you can return to your daily life immediately. Even shortly after the application, there is no abnormal appearance to be observed externally. Also, no bruise or swelling is expected.
IS BOTOX A SNAKE VENOM?
Of course not. Botox is a bacterial toxin which has been refined under lab conditions. It connects temporarily to the muscles and weakens the muscle strength. When its effect diminishes, the muscle return to its normal activity.
WHEN BOTOX WAS FIRST DISCOVERED, IT WAS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF STRABISMUS AND TICS AROUND THE EYE AREA.
BOTOX FOR THE SWEATING THERAPY
This is an application, which is preferred very often before the summer months. The wet look, which arises under the armpits of the clothes due to sweating on hot days, is quiet disturbing. Antiperspirants do not always show the desired effect. With a 10-minutes Botox application on the sweating parts (armpits, hands and feet), you can get rid of your sweating problem for a period of 6 months.
BOTOX FOR THE TREATMENT OF GUMMY SMILE
From the front view in the normal position, it is accepted aesthetic if the lower part of the upper front teeth is visible 2 mm. If the gums of the upper teeth are visible while smiling, it is called gummy smile. This problem which can be caused by the fact that the muscles, which lift the lips while smiling, are too strong, can be solved by applying Botox to the mimic muscles.
Patients, who have a gummy smile problem, would avoid smiling or need to hide their mouth with their hands while laughing. Generally, these persons whose tooth enamel is more visible even in the normal position feel the need to hide their teeth by pulling up the bottom lip. Due to the over contraction of the muscles which lift the bottom lip up, the jaw can also look very different and affect the proportion of the face.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED BOTOX IN THE THERAPY OF MIGRAINE?
In the emergence of some types of migraine it is assumed while nerves pass through muscles, the compression of muscles through strong contraction and the contraction in these nerves cause a migraine type headache. After a detailed examination and detection of the characteristics of the headache, the injection of Botox to the trigger points of the headache reduces the migraine pain. After the application of Botox, the usage of pain killers decreases as well as the strength and the frequency of the attacks.
The most important point for the therapy of migraine with Botox is the correct identification of the trigger points of the pain and also the correct measurement of the dose.
As no sufficient scientific data is available for pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is not recommended for them. Also for patients with muscle diseases like Myastenia gravis or for those who use anticonvulsant drugs or antibiotics, Botox should not be applied.