Among all the methods of aesthetic medicine, botox is undoubtedly the best known. Sometimes the most denigrated too, when stars are given injections with too visible results. How does botox work? How to make the right choice ? What are its side effects?

The little story of botox

Botox is first and foremost a drug. Moreover, the name botox, which has become common, is initially that of a brand. Its active principle is botulinum toxin, which is also used in conventional medicine to treat the symptoms of numerous pathologies. Among them, spasms, repeated stiff necks, as well as chronic neurological pain such as migraines. Because, like many drugs, it originates from a natural poison.

This botulinum toxin has the effect of paralyzing the nerves. Its use in small doses to treat various ailments was developed by an ophthalmologist in the 80s. Its process was then bought by the American laboratory Allergan. Its effectiveness on wrinkles, understood a posteriori, made the product famous, but did not enrich its original discoverer.

Botox injection, success of aesthetic medicine

The first authorization for the use of botox in aesthetic medicine dates from 1997. In France, it was not until 2003. At that time, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States authorizes its marketing to treat glabella wrinkles. In other words, to reduce the frown line: the one that forms vertical lines between the eyes.

By paralyzing the nerves that control the muscles in this wrinkle, botox actually softens the forehead. Gradually, botox became more popular and has since been used to smooth out frown lines, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead wrinkles.

Today, botox is also used to correct all other signs of aging and sagging of the face. This is particularly the case with the lips or, more exactly, the edges of the lips, where there are sometimes “lines of sadness” and other “folds of bitterness”.

Smoothing out wrinkles after a botox injection can take 2 to 10 days depending on the person. This is the time it takes for the product to work and for the muscle to respond to botulinum toxin by relaxing. It all depends on how you usually contract these muscles.

Likewise, depending on the person, the effect lasts between 3 and 8 months. Botox therefore requires regular injections to remain effective.

The price of a botox injection session varies according to the practitioner’s fees and the geographical area of ​​consultation. However, the price range is relatively stable between the firms.

For one area (lion’s wrinkle, crow’s feet), count around € 180. Some firms offer a more advantageous overall price for several zones, around € 300 for two, or even € 380 for three zones.

Side effects of botox

There are a few common side effects after a botox injection but most of the time they don’t last. You may thus have redness limited to the injection sites. Or, more rarely, however, bruises that disappear after a maximum of a week.

In the event of more serious or more annoying side effects, it is essential to see your practitioner.

Botox failed

However, failed botox can still happen. So that the recent testimonies of women disappointed, even in a deep disarray, by their injections of botox, invite to reflect. However, the effects of botox that alter facial expressions are transient.

Plus, we’re not in the 90s anymore, or even 2000, and botox injections have come a long way. For serious health professionals, it is above all a question of offering a subtle result by means of targeted injections.

Precautions to take

Even if it is not cosmetic surgery, but injections, the fact remains that botox is a very active product.

Remember that only medical specialists in the following fields are authorized to perform these injections (for medical or aesthetic purposes depending on the specialty):

• Reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery
• Dermatology
• Face and neck surgery
• Maxillofacial surgery
• Ophthalmology

Botox has been emulated and here we find this term about hair. However, no trace of botulinum toxin here. This abuse of language simply means that the treatment gives a youthful and fresh boost to the hair.

This is a Brazilian method that combines keratin and hyaluronic acid. Hair “botox” is in fact a classic treatment to be left on for about twenty minutes.

Keratin – the protein that makes up the hair – and hyaluronic acid – which retains water – thus sheath the hair fiber.