Botulinum toxin acts by blocking the messages, created in the nerve, from reaching a certain muscle. Thus it prevents the muscular contraction. All these effects are temporary, and do not cause any permanent change in the muscles. Facial expression muscles situated under the facial skin are weakened by the effect of botulinum toxin, with intent to prevent wrinkle formation. When the muscle cannot contract, the wrinkles on the skin that covers that muscle become less noticeable.
Botulinum toxin is mostly used to eliminate or reduce the wrinkles created by facial expressions. Botulinum toxin gives favorable results when applied to wrinkles developing in the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and around the mouth. Botulinum toxin is also used in the treatment of migraine and excessive sweating.
Botulinum toxin is a procedure applied to patients between 18-65 years of age, who seek a nonsurgical remedy for the wrinkles on their faces. Starting the application at younger ages ensures these wrinkles not to develop. It should be noted that the effect created by using botulinum toxin is temporary, and the procedure is not an alternative to certain surgical operations such as face lift, and brow lift.
Today, botulinum toxin has become a procedure carried out almost in every treatment. Since it is a technique intended for blocking the movements of very fine and sensitive muscles, it should be applied by people who know the facial anatomy and physiology well. The number of those who have not received any education or who perform this procedure based on simple certificate programs and under certain titles, which has no scientific value, has significantly increased in recent years. Before botulinum toxin application, you must definitely be sure about the quality of the medicine to be used, and about the educational background of the person who will make the intervention. The process takes totally 10-15 minutes. There may be a slight redness at the injection site. The effect of botulinum toxin becomes evident from the first week after injection, and lasts for a period of about 3-8 months; therefore, it should be repeated if its effect is desired to continue.
It is possible to make the effect of botulinum toxin permanent, by weakening the functions of certain muscles through simple surgical operations. These are surgical interventions that can be made under local anesthesia, and take less than half an hour.
More excellent and more permanent results can be obtained by using filling materials in conjunction with botulinum toxin, or after the application of botulinum toxin.