The consequence of active facial expressions - expressions of surprise, admiration, dissatisfaction - are wrinkles on the forehead and in the area between the eyebrows. Every day, unbeknownst to ourselves, we frown and raise our eyebrows, which negatively affects the condition of our skin. Constant muscle tension leads to the fact that facial wrinkles become pronounced and noticeable even under a layer of corrective products.
The procedure of botulinum therapy - Botox injections - allows you to smooth out wrinkles and give your face a calm, rested look.
Botox for forehead wrinkles - what is this procedure?
A Botox injection blocks nerve impulses transmitted to muscle tissue. The muscle relaxes, which leads to restoration of symmetry and smoothing of wrinkles. The skin remains smooth for a long time.
Regular injections of the drug (first every six months, then once a year) maintain the muscles in a certain condition. The cumulative effect of botulinum therapy persists even if you stop taking injections.
In cosmetology practice, Botox helps remove:
Eyebrow wrinkle Wrinkles on the forehead “Crow’s feet”
Why is Botox done under the eyes?
Almost every woman, regardless of age, wants to remain beautiful and well-groomed. When she sees the first wrinkles in the mirror, she begins to panic, goes through options for rejuvenation and, in general, is ready to give everything she can just to somehow reverse the aging process.
And then cosmetologists appear with their “magic” procedure for instantly smoothing out wrinkles using Botox injections.
What age-related changes in the area around the eyes are proposed to be solved with Botox:
- wrinkles near the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”) and in the lower eyelid area,
- swelling and bags under the eyes,
- drooping (ptosis, drooping) of the upper eyelids,
- low location of eyebrow arches.
But what does the client get as a result, and at what cost?
Indications for the Botox procedure
Botox injections are indicated for:
Abundance of facial wrinkles in the forehead, eyebrows, eyes;
Active facial expressions (including those related to professional activities: actors, singers, animators always have an acute problem with facial wrinkles);
Facial asymmetries
With active facial expressions, one eyebrow may appear higher than the other, and it is known that it is the symmetry of facial features that is responsible for the attractiveness of the appearance. You can contact a cosmetologist if wrinkles are not very pronounced, as well as if there is noticeable asymmetry. Botox injections can be done even at a young age.
For patients with pronounced signs of aging, plastic surgery with concomitant botulinum therapy is recommended subsequently. Botox is effective against wrinkles, but it will not help with sagging tissues, blurred facial contours, or deep wrinkles.
Pros and cons of Botox under the eyes
If your goal is to get rid of wrinkles, then Botox is definitely not your option. Botulinum poison does not remove wrinkles. It gives a temporary effect due to muscle paralysis and does not in any way solve the problem of skin losing elasticity and strength. Botulinum toxin only works on facial wrinkles and does not affect deep ones.
And we haven’t yet talked in detail about the dangers of botulinum toxin and the mass of ugly side effects! The disadvantages of Botox injections under the eyes, like any other botulinum therapy procedure, can be listed endlessly. Judge for yourself. Botox under the eyes is:
- A blow to facial expressions and beauty.
The face loses facial expressions and becomes stony. At best, you won't be able to express your emotions. At worst, a paralyzed person will replace some emotions with others. It will seem to others that you are wincing in disgust, although you are smiling at that moment. Or you will seem angry when you are surprised by something. In addition, various side effects may occur on the face - a very common occurrence. This could be ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid, swelling, bruising, facial distortion, new wrinkles, and the like (read details in the next chapter). - Bad feeling.
After Botox, the injection areas often cause headaches. Fever, vomiting, dizziness and other health problems also occur. - Danger.
Since botulinum venom has diffusion, that is, it spreads beyond the injection zone, it can cause various complications in the eyes and not only. - Acceleration of aging.
Botox accelerates age-related changes. Paralyzed muscles do not fully recover, and the neighboring muscles that worked for them wear out faster. As a result, not only the wrinkles exposed to the poison return, but also new ones appear. - Botox addiction.
When, several months after Botox injections, the effect of the drug stops, the patient goes for a new portion of the poison. This happens over and over again. An addiction to botulinum toxin develops. The frequency of visits and dosages are increasing. Appearance is disfigured, health is undermined.
Are there any benefits to Botox under the eyes? In cosmetology - no. Only an illusion that turns into terrifying consequences. Even in medicine, where the use of Botox is justified for therapeutic purposes, this drug is feared. According to neurologists, the consequences that botulinum toxin can lead to have not yet been sufficiently studied.
Injection techniques
Classic injection
The technique of injecting the drug deep into the facial muscle. Botox immobilizes her, so she assumes a calm position for up to six months or more. This technique is used to eliminate deep wrinkles and severe muscle tension.
Mesobotox
An easier correction option that involves maintaining mobility of the facial muscles. It is good for getting rid of fine and moderate wrinkles. In this case, the injections are not made as deep as with the classical technique.
History of Botox
Botulinum toxin is the substance that forms the basis of Botox. It is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Initially, the substance was used to solve other problems. This is how people with facial nerve neurosis were treated. Muscle tension forms on the face due to nervous tension and psychological problems. A person does not fully control his muscles, and they are constantly in good shape due to psychological pressures. Botulinum toxin was used to relax them.
Doctors noticed that after administering the drug, the network of wrinkles on the face completely disappears. And deep wrinkles become barely noticeable. This is how Botox was discovered as a cosmetic product.
Detailed procedure
- Consultation with a cosmetologist to identify possible contraindications. In their absence, the doctor names the number of units of the drug required to effectively get rid of imperfections.
- The face is cleansed. Anesthesia is used if necessary. Typically, we give Botox injections without pain relief.
- Injection of the drug at certain points. The doctor distributes it evenly over the correction area. The procedure lasts no more than half an hour and is comfortable.
- You receive recommendations and leave the clinic.
A follow-up examination is scheduled two weeks after the injections. In some cases, additional correction may be required.
Usually after a couple of days the patient notices that the face has smoothed out and wrinkles have disappeared. Subsequently, the effect of the injections increases.
If you read reviews that Botox did not help with wrinkles on the forehead, consider a number of factors:
· the specialist could work with an uncertified drug;
· the patient could violate the doctor’s instructions during the rehabilitation period;
· a small percentage of people are resistant to botulinum therapy.
We pay great attention to the quality of drugs and the experience of doctors. The Medial Clinic cooperates only with trusted Botox suppliers, and all of our cosmetologists have been trained in the correction of facial wrinkles.
Which Botox is better to inject?
The modern cosmetology market offers several drugs that contain botulinum toxin type A. The most popular, in addition to the world-famous American Botox, can also be considered the French drug Dysport. The main differences between these products are the dosage of botulinum toxin, as well as the speed of formation and duration of the final effect. An experienced cosmetologist will help you choose the most suitable drug for yourself, but most experts recommend giving preference to the classic American Botox from the Allergen company, due to the greater knowledge of this product.
Photos before and after
Consequences and side effects of Botox under the eyes
But there are many known consequences of Botox that botulinum toxin treatment victims experience everywhere. We are especially interested in the side effects that occur after injections of botulinum venom into the area around the eyes. Let's name the main ones:
- Dry eyes and skin tightness.
Lasts several days in most patients. - Bruises, hematomas.
Capillaries are injured during injections in everyone, which is why bluish dots appear on the face, and often even ugly hematomas. The story may drag on for several weeks. - Pain when touching the eyes.
- Ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid.
Happens frequently. Occurs due to uneven distribution of botulinum toxin. The extreme form is the inability to open the eye. For the problem to disappear, it will take more than two months to completely remove the poison from the body. - Headache.
They may bother you for up to two weeks or more. - New wrinkles.
They arise due to the fact that neighboring muscles, trying to replace atrophied ones, worked in an increased mode and spasmed. - Severe swelling.
Due to unhealthy muscle tone, lymph flow is disrupted, resulting in swelling. It can be pronounced and not go away for a long time. - Facial asymmetry.
In the case of Botox in the area around the eyes, it usually appears in the form of asymmetrical eyebrows: one raised, the other lowered, and so on. - Eye pathologies.
Due to damage to non-target areas by the drug, eye complications may occur: paralysis of the eye muscles, anisocoria of the pupils (different sizes), mydriasis (pupil dilation), strabismus, blindness. - Allergy.
It occurs due to both botulinum toxin and auxiliary components. Possible anaphylactic shock.
How many units do you need?
The number of wrinkles and their severity determine the number of Botox units. For some, 5 units are enough, for others, 30 are needed.
On average, up to 25 units of the drug are needed to correct eyebrow wrinkles with Botox.
Recommendations after the procedure
1. First hours. You cannot lie down or bend over. It is prohibited to touch or knead injection sites with your hands.
2. The first days after injections. Active facial expressions are recommended for uniform distribution of the drug. You cannot use decorative cosmetics. Do not wash your face with cold water. During this period, skin redness, peeling, and discomfort are possible. All this will pass in a couple of days. On the fifth day, you can evaluate the result of the procedure.
3. 14 days after the procedure. During this period, it is better to refrain from drinking alcohol, spicy and salty foods. Facial massage is prohibited. It is better to postpone intense physical activity until later. After two weeks, you need to see a doctor, especially if not all the wrinkles have smoothed out.
No other cosmetic procedures are performed during the rehabilitation period. Your doctor may approve light face masks. Home care may also need to be adjusted. Do not hesitate to ask questions to a specialist. This is the key to the most effective transformation!
Can Botox be done during pregnancy?
The use of Botox during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied to date, so it is better to avoid this procedure while pregnant. At the same time, Botox is not contraindicated when planning pregnancy, since this procedure does not have a systemic effect on the woman’s body.
If, however, beauty injections were given at a time when the woman was not yet aware of her interesting situation, there is no reason to panic. The vast majority of the fair sex, who decided to take care of their beauty during this difficult period, did not notice any side effects or complications during pregnancy. As for the question of whether Botox can be injected while breastfeeding, there can be no restrictions here, since the drug does not pass into the milk of a nursing woman.
Cost of the procedure
One unit of Botox at the Medial clinic costs 380 rubles. We do not increase prices for botulinum therapy so that our patients can take care of their appearance on the most favorable terms. Below are approximate prices for Botox for forehead wrinkles:
Region | Number of Botox units (estimated) | Price |
Forehead | 5-25 pcs. | from 1,900 to 9,000 rubles. |
Between the eyebrows | 15-35 pcs. | from 5,400 to 12,600 rubles. |
Forehead + eyebrow | 20-40 pcs. | from 7,200 to 14,400 rubles. |
An analogue of Botox is Dysport. A unit of Dysport costs 95 rubles. Cost of correction with Dysport
Region | Number of Dysport units (estimated) | Price |
Forehead | 20-100 pcs. | from 1,900 to 9,500 rub. |
Between the eyebrows | 60-140 pcs. | from 5,700 to 13,300 rubles. |
Forehead + eyebrow | 80-160 pcs. | from 7,600 to 15,200 rub. |
Call to make an appointment for the procedure
Botulinum toxin preparations for rejuvenation of the frontal zone
To improve the aesthetics of the frontal zone, various botulinum toxin preparations are used. The most reliable and safe ones include the original Botox (Botox, USA), Xeomin (Xeomin, Germany) and Dysport (France). In some Moscow clinics, patients are offered an analogue of Lantox (China), which has been on the pharmaceutical market for a long time. Other drugs do not have a sufficient evidence base, that is, studies of their safety and effectiveness have either not been conducted at all or there are very few of them.
Any of the three branded botulinum toxin preparations can be used for the frontal area, but there are minor differences between them. The original Botox from the American pharmaceutical concern Allergan is less susceptible to diffusion. A comparable ability to migrate in tissues is characteristic of Xeomin, but Dysport spreads most actively to neighboring areas.
When introduced into the skin of the frontal zone, active diffusion of botulinum toxin is considered an advantage, since it allows for a more uniform distribution of the substance in the correction area. For this reason, some cosmetologists believe that Dysport is better suited for this procedure than Botox.
On the other hand, Botox injections into the forehead provide a more lasting effect. The result after injections of the American drug lasts from 6 to 8 months, while after the introduction of Dysport - from 4 to 6 months. Taking into account a combination of factors, the cosmetologist will recommend you the drug that will allow you to get an ideal and lasting effect.
You can learn more about the use of botulinum therapy in rejuvenation programs and for the correction of hyperkinetic wrinkles at a consultation with a cosmetologist at the Soho Clinic (Moscow).
Contraindications for Botox for the face
Despite the fact that botulinum therapy is a safe technique, there are a number of conditions that are considered contraindications for administering Botox to the face:
- pregnancy period;
- weakness of the facial muscles due to pathological conditions or as a result of taking muscle relaxants;
- the presence of chronic diseases of internal organs in the acute stage;
- acute and chronic infectious conditions;
- skin diseases in the facial area;
- allergic reactions and individual intolerance to botulinum toxin preparations.
In addition, it should be noted that approximately 1-2% of people have a lack of sensitivity to Botox, which also causes the absence of a visual effect after the procedure.
Age-related changes in the lip area
Plump lips in a charming smile are one of the main features of a woman’s attractiveness. But with age it is lost. Already at 25 years old, the first age-related changes may appear in the form of drooping corners of the lips. Gradually, wrinkles will be added to them. And by the age of 35-40, age-related changes will already become noticeable.
What happens to the lip area over the years:
- Volume disappears.
The lips “deflate” as the fat layer decreases. The visible red part of the lips becomes smaller. - Wrinkles appear around the mouth.
Basically, these are purse string wrinkles (smoker's lines, running up and down from the lips in a vertical direction) and marionette wrinkles (sorrow lines: from the corners of the mouth to the base of the chin). This is due to the fact that the skin becomes thinner, subcutaneous tissues change, and muscles become overstrained. Due to the constant load, the orbicularis muscle, which works during talking, eating and other actions, spasms. The peculiarity of its structure is that the bundles are woven into the skin, and not into the bones, which provokes the appearance of premature folds. - The corners of the lips droop.
This occurs due to structural changes in the skin of the lower face. In the epidermis, the content of collagen, elastin, some fats, and water - the main components of youth - is reduced. The skin loses elasticity, strength, and begins to sag. This gives the face a sad, tired look. - The upper lip lengthens.
Visually, the upper lip suffers more, as it no longer protrudes above the lower lip. There is a physiological explanation for this. Over the years, the skin of the upper lip stretches, becomes longer, and the distance between it and the nose increases. She closes her teeth tighter than before.
Targeted Botox injections in the lip area
There are other, more specific options for using Botox in the lip area:
- gummy smile correction,
- raising the corners of the lips,
- increase in lip volume.
Let's look at them in more detail.
Correction of a gummy smile with Botox
A gummy smile is a special form of smile in which not only the teeth are visible, but also the gums. It confuses some women, especially if their teeth are far from ideal. The goal of correcting a gummy smile is to reduce the visualization of the gum so that 2-3 mm of it remains visible. How does Botox play into this? The cosmetologist marks two points on the corners of the lips and injects them. The poison enters the muscle that lifts the upper lip and the wing of the nose, and paralyzes it. The lip drops. True, the shape of the nose may also change after it: the tip will begin to “peck”.
Lifting the corners of the lips with Botox
A person has a muscle that extends down from the corner of the mouth. When she is very tense, she pulls the corner of her mouth behind her, which gives her an exhausted appearance.
Paralyzing this muscle with botulinum toxin temporarily creates the effect of raised corners of the mouth. But this is only an appearance. Search the Internet for reviews of women who have tried to solve this problem with Botox. Many people write that they have only made the situation worse.
As you age, your facial skin begins to sag. This is a natural process. Poison can only harm the target muscle and provoke spasms of neighboring muscles, which will be forced to work for it while it is immobilized. All this will cause more sagging of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles.
Lip plumping with Botox
Fillers are mainly used to enhance lips. You cannot “pump up” your lips with Botox, since this drug creates an effect by changing muscle tone. You can correct the contours of your lips and give them a fuller appearance, but this is not the main application of Botox. Typically, botulinum toxin is used in combination with hyaluronic acid fillers to enlarge lips.
There is an easy way to find out whether a person has had lip botox or not. If there was no intervention with poison, then he will easily curl his lips into a “tube”.