Non-Surgical Procedures
BOTULINUM TOXIN
BOTULINUM TOXIN
Botulinum toxin smooths out lines and wrinkles caused by facial muscle contractions.
Procedure
Botulinum toxin type A, better known as BOTOX®, is a product used in aesthetic surgery to correct annoying expression lines in the face. The correction occurs because botulinum toxin temporarily paralyses the muscles responsible for these lines. This allows the skin to recover from years of squinting and frowning.
Since the early 1990s, botulinum toxin has been used to treat disorders such as exaggerated blinking, facial spasms, and muscle contractions, affecting partly paralysed patients.
These applications have provided sufficient experience to know the product well. It is perfectly safe so long as it is used properly. The aesthetic effects of botulinum toxin were discovered over a decade ago. Since then, it has also been successfully used for this purpose.
There are several brands of botulinum toxin available* including BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®. The best indications for treatment with botulinum toxin lie in the upper third of the face, for correction of vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal furrows on the forehead and crow's feet. Other uses are less common and are best performed by experienced practitioners. Light under-treatment is usually preferred. Over-treatment can result in a diminished expression in the face.
Ten to thirty minutes.
None of the topical anaesthetic creams is needed.
Outpatient.
Immediately after Botulinum toxin treatment, only the small pinpricks are visible. Light bruising may occur. Some patients experience a slight headache during the first week.
There are no permanent risks in healthy individuals. Asymmetry can occur but can be corrected with small touch up injections. Drooping of the eyelid can occur in one to five per cent; it always recovers spontaneously within three to four weeks. Myasthenia Gravis is a contraindication.
The effect only arises after three to four days and lasts for two to six months (on average 3 to 4 months). When treatment is not repeated, the original movement always comes back spontaneously.
Correction of expression wrinkles, which improves with repetition of the Botulinum toxin treatment. The patient will notice a more relaxed facial expression with fewer lines and wrinkles.
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The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa was formed in 1956. All our members are fully qualified Plastic surgeons that have been approved for APRASSA membership and will endeavour to provide you with excellent care throughout your plastic surgery journey.
