TOXINE BOUTULIQUE for the treatment of wrinkles

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin is a drug used since 1975 in neurology and ophthalmology initially to treat blepharospasm, among other things.

In aesthetic medicine, the doses are on average three times lower than those used in neurology. In Switzerland, several molecules are marketed under different names. We cannot advertise them according to Medisuisse's recommendations, but some brand names have become commonplace.

Molecule B is the oldest and best known, but molecule A generally acts more quickly and is more potent, which is quite advantageous for men who often have more toned facial muscles. What is the mechanism of action? Botulinum toxin limits the action (release of acetylcholine). This neurotransmitter acts at the neuromuscular junctions; its absence reduces, or even blocks depending on the dose, muscle contraction.

Scientifically, it has been proven that this phenomenon is completely reversible within 4 to 6 months, which corresponds to the usual duration of action of botulinum toxin treatment. The toxin is injected directly into the muscles via mesotherapy or injection, thus modulating muscle contraction. Strictly speaking, botulinum toxin does not act on the wrinkle itself, but rather on muscle contraction. It therefore works on dynamic wrinkles, but not on established wrinkles, which are more like breaks in the skin and would require filling with hyaluronic acid.

Consequently, in terms of of aesthetic medicine, Patient follow-up over several years allows for optimization of treatment. Dr. Smarrito As a specialist in eyelid surgery, he can assess the forehead to determine whether wrinkles are due to simple aging and contraction of the frontalis muscle, or to sagging eyelid skin. In the latter case, the strategy will lean more towards a minor surgery called blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids rather than injecting the forehead. We also guarantee an optimal strategy based on age; indeed, the older the patient, the lower the dose will be to avoid an excessively smooth forehead. Expected side effects: As you can understand, the side effects described are mild and reversible. Sometimes, headaches may occur the same evening.

An eyebrow that remains high after injection can be corrected with a touch-up during a follow-up appointment. Any increased heaviness of the eyebrow generally stabilizes within 3 to 4 weeks, except in cases where blepharoplasty would have been a more appropriate option. Occasionally, a small bruise or hematoma may appear at the injection site, which will disappear within a few days.

How long should I wait before repeating the injections?

Unlike women, where injections are typically given every 6 months, in men the injection sequence is usually every 4 to 5 months. This is because the muscles are more powerful and the current philosophy is to avoid an overly smooth effect, so injections need to be repeated more frequently than in women.

Other treatments using the toxin. We frequently treat men with hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) using the same product but at higher doses, which can stop excessive sweating for several months. We remain at your disposal for any further information and would be pleased to welcome you for a precise diagnosis, drawing on our more than 20 years of experience with this molecule.

Botulinum toxin injection site

Botulinum toxin injection sites and dosage. The Doctor Smarrito You will be told about the different areas to be treated, as well as the dosage of the toxin. It's worth noting that today, the injection can be highly concentrated for a frozen effect or more diluted to soften fine lines and wrinkles while maintaining a natural, present muscle contraction. Preventative treatment is also possible for younger patients. Mesobotox is another option; this is a true mesotherapy treatment using the product. Forehead wrinkles and frown lines are improved with Botox injections, resulting in a softer appearance. The face looks less harsh and negative expressions are softened. For crow's feet, the injection is moderate, allowing for normal eye movements when laughing and closing the eyelids, while the fine lines themselves diminish. This is also an area where preventative treatment is essential to prevent these lines from becoming permanent and turning into creases. The expression remains natural in any case. It is well known that these injections can improve the position of the eyebrow with a slight lateral lift. Care must be taken when administering these injections around the eyebrow, as forehead wrinkles can be caused by excess skin on the upper eyelid. In this case, the surgeon will likely recommend an upper blepharoplasty rather than this toxin injection. The toxin injection can lower the eyebrow and thus accentuate the heaviness of the upper eyelid. It is also possible to inject into the chin to smooth marionette lines; these injections have very good results on the superficial muscles acting on the skin. They cannot be effective on broken skin or deeper areas. For Asian patients, it is quite common to inject the masseter muscles. Similarly, in cases of bruxism (teeth grinding), the injections can have a soothing effect on this condition. Injecting the masseter muscles thus allows for a less square, less harsh face.

What precautions should be taken? First, it's essential to consult an experienced doctor and verify their credentials. While any doctor can administer injections, only certain categories of doctors are truly experienced, or even insured, for these procedures. The analysis must also be precise to rule out inappropriate indications. For example, if the muscle is already relaxed, the injection will accentuate the problem. The main errors we see in consultations involve injecting the eyebrow when the eyelid already has excess skin and blepharoplasty is indicated; this exacerbates the issue. Similarly, at our clinic, we prohibit overly intense injections that result in frozen features and expressionless faces. We rarely encounter this problem with our clients by correctly dosing the injections. However, we have observed complications following Botox treatments performed in England or Switzerland by beauticians. The results can be disastrous, especially since in many cases it's not just a simple botulinum toxin but mixtures made with various products, the traceability of which is problematic in the context of these Botox parties. Similarly, some very expressive faces are treated differently in order to preserve an expression, but above all, to avoid disrupting a feature's balance through muscular action. In most cases, the injection of this toxin has no side effects, although some patients describe a transient migraine, with a stable result over time and very easy to achieve, resulting in a very high patient satisfaction rate. So much so that some patients have been treated at the clinic for many years and come two to three times a year for wrinkle injections.