Botox is a purified botulinum toxin that temporarily blocks the release of acetylcholine, preventing muscle contraction. Result: the muscle relaxes → reduction in wrinkles, improvement in certain pathologies (migraines, bruxism, hyperhidrosis).
Injectable Areas & Indications
1. Face (aesthetics)
- Forehead: horizontal wrinkles.
- Glabella (frown lines): wrinkles between the eyebrows.
- Crow’s feet: wrinkles around the eyes.
- Bunny lines: nose wrinkles.
- Gummy smile: reduction of gingival exposure.
- Chin: “orange peel” appearance.
- Masseter:
- Aesthetics → refinement of the lower face (jawline slimming).
- Therapeutic → treatment of bruxism (clenching/grinding of teeth, jaw pain).
- Temporal: sometimes associated with the treatment of bruxism.
2. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Armpits: most common treatment.
- Hands & feet: in case of debilitating perspiration.
- Mechanism → blocking of stimulation of sweat glands.
3. Trapezius
- Aesthetics: refine the neck, lengthen the cervical line.
- Functional: reduce chronic muscle tension.
4. Chronic Migraine & Headaches
- Injections into specific areas (forehead, temples, neck, trapezius).
- Reduces the frequency and intensity of migraines (especially if ≥ 15 days/month).
Expected Effects
- Aesthetics:
- Smoothing of expression lines.
- Opening and rejuvenation of the gaze.
- Refinement of the lower face (masseters).
- Neck lengthening (trapezius).
- Therapeutics:
- Relief from bruxism.
- Reduction of chronic migraines.
- Reduction of excessive sweating.
- Targeted muscle relaxation (tension, pain).
Deadlines & Duration of Action
- Onset of action: 3 to 7 days.
- Optimal result: 10 to 15 days.
- Average duration: 4 to 6 months (varies depending on area, dose and metabolism).
- Gradual return to the initial state (no rebound effect).
Contraindications
- Absolutes:
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding.
- Neuromuscular diseases (myasthenia, ALS, Lambert-Eaton).
- Allergy to botulinum toxin or its excipients.
- Relatives / Precautions:
- Infection, inflammation or skin injury in the area.
- Coagulation disorders or anticoagulants.
- Interaction with certain medications (e.g. aminoglycoside antibiotics).
- Patients with unrealistic expectations or unstabilized psychiatric pathologies.
Possible Side Effects
- Redness, small bruises at the injection site.
- Transient headaches.
- Feeling of heaviness.
- Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid) if unwanted diffusion.
- Localized muscle weakness (rare, reversible).
In summary, Botox is a versatile treatment, both aesthetic and therapeutic, which acts on:
- facial wrinkles,
- bruxism and masseters,
- hyperhidrosis (armpits, hands, feet),
- trapezius muscles (aesthetics & pain),
- chronic migraines.