Botox (botulinum toxin) is commonly used to temporarily block nerve signals that cause muscle contraction, reducing the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other facial wrinkles.
At BMF Clinic, we use Allergan Botox®, which is US FDA-approved for 11 therapeutic indications, Singapore HSA approved for use locally, while its safety and effectiveness has been studied in more than 16 years of research in over 4,700 published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Botulinum toxin, more often known as Botox, is a common procedure used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It works by temporarily paralyzing or weakening the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles, typically in areas such as the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.
During the procedure, small amounts of Botox are injected into specific muscles, which blocks the nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. As a result, the muscles relax, smoothing out wrinkles and preventing them from deepening.
The effects of Botox typically last for three to six months. After which, further treatments may be required to maintain the desired results. Therefore, Botox is usually the preferred way to achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance with minimal downtime.
Botox can also be used in smaller doses, known as Baby Botox or Micro Botox, for overall skin rejuvenation and to treat conditions like rosacea and acne.
What Skin Conditions Can Botox Treat?
Botox treatments can target various facial wrinkles and concerns, including:
Besides targeting signs of aging, Botox can also be used for concerns such as:
Will Botox cause me to look plastic or fake?
Many people worry that Botox might produce a fake or stiff appearance. While this is a valid concern, such cases are few and far between, happening only when excessive Botox is injected.
When done properly, the results actually look very natural. It keeps your facial expressions while slowing down aging. In such cases, the average person would not be able to tell that you have done the procedure; they would just think you look more youthful.
Limitations of Botox
Although Botox treatments are common today and recognized for their anti-aging effects, its results are not permanent and regular touch-ups will be required to maintain a wrinkle-free appearance.
While there is no magic number on the number of touch-ups required in a year, treatments are commonly scheduled 3-6 months apart, depending on the patient's intended results.
Botox is also regarded as a minimal-risk treatment with little to no downtime, but it is important to be aware that side-effects, while very rare, includes:
Avoid lying down for 4 hours after treatment
Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours after treatment
Avoid facial massages for 24 hours after treatment
Avoid entering the sauna or taking hot baths
Avoid alcohol as it can increase the risk of bruising
Avoid sun exposure; sunburns can worsen swelling and redness
When done early, Botox prevent wrinkles from becoming heavy creases on the skin. In individuals with prolonged signs of wrinkles, the lines can be deeper, and hence more difficult to treat. The use of fillers may also be considered in conjunction.
Botox can also reduce muscle bulk to give a sharper face, smaller arms or calves, and even reduce the activity of sweat glands to reduce sweaty palms or armpits. When handled by trained professionals, Botox can also help in skin lifting. As with any procedure or treatment, results can vary by the individual.
Tiny amounts of purified botulinum toxin are injected into specific facial muscles. This relaxes those muscles, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Results typically last 3 to 4 months.
No. At BMF Clinic, we aim for a natural look. The procedure targets only the muscles causing wrinkles, leaving your natural expressions unaffected.
However, you may experience some tightness around the treated areas following the procedure. This is normal as it is limiting muscle contractions to minimize the formation of wrinkles, and will subside within 1-2 weeks.
No, your sense of feeling remains unchanged.
While botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles that contribute to wrinkle formation, it does not affect our skin receptors.
You can safely receive another treatment in the same area after a week.
However, as it may take approximately 10 to 14 days for the full results to show, it is recommended for subsequent treatments to be done after the second week.
Most patients experience minimal downtime and can resume normal activities immediately. Makeup can also be applied right after the procedure.
However, patients should avoid strenuous activities and massaging the treated areas for at least 24 hours to prevent the injected solution from spreading into unwanted areas.
Side effects, if any, are usually mild and temporary, such as:
Rarely, patients can also develop a mild headache or temporary drooping of the brow or eyelid.
In extreme cases, patients may also develop symptoms resembling botulism, including difficulties in breathing, swallowing, or speaking. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult your doctor immediately.