What is botox?
Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. The botulinum toxin is used to treat a number of health and cosmetic problems, including treating muscle spasticity, migraines, chronic pain and facial rejuvenation.
Botox treatment works by injecting the drug into the area to be treated. The botox injection then weakens or paralyses certain muscles in the area being treated. These effects last for a period of several months to a year, depending on the problem being treated.
Botox treatments are popular in Singapore for being a minimally-invasive and quick procedure to achieve youthful-looking skin and a more rejuvenated appearance. A keen eye for detail and a pair of skilful hands are important in helping patients achieve their desired results.
Keep reading to find out more about botox treatments in Singapore.
What is botox treatment used for in Thomson Specialist Skin Centre?
At Thomson Specialist Skin Centre, botox injections are used primarily in cosmetic treatments. It is used in the reduction of facial wrinkles and frown lines, especially around the forehead and eyelids. Botox injections around the lips also reduce laugh lines around the area. A botox injection into the muscles surrounding the facial wrinkles cases the relaxation of those muscles. This then results in a smoothing of the skin surface – the changes before and after the treatment are very visible. Smoothing of the facial wrinkles becomes more visible about three days after the botox treatment and the effects last for approximately three to four months after the procedure.
Apart from using botox treatments for cosmetic purposes, botox can also be used to reduce excessive sweating in the underarm region.
Is botox treatment safe?
Botox injections are considered safe, especially in clinical settings. There are some possible side effects such as partial paralysis of the facial muscles – which is generally the result of the toxin being injected into the wrong muscle group or spreading beyond the injection site. In some instances, temporary drooping eyelids may also occur.
Some of the most common side effects of botox treatments are pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site (due to the mode of application), but will usually resolve on their own within a few days. Should any of these side effects persist, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
You should practise caution when opting for this form of cosmetic treatment and not undergo botox treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Botox injections on an area which has an infection must be avoided too. You should also not go through this procedure if you are allergic to the botulinum toxin. Before undergoing botox treatment, refrain from taking cold or allergy medication, muscle relaxants and sleeping pills. Consult with your doctor and make sure you understand the risks before undergoing this procedure.
Is botox treatment painless?
A botox injection may cause pain similar to that of an acupuncture treatment. As the needles used for botox injections are small, the pain is usually minimal. Before injecting, the area to be treated is usually numbed with a topical anaesthetic or cold pack to minimise the pain.
How long does botox treatment last?
It generally takes around 3 to 5 days for the botox treatment to take effect. After 10 to 14 days, you will notice the full and final results of the procedure. So why are the effects of the neurotoxins not immediate? Well, this is because it takes time for the neurotoxins to block off the specific chemical signals from the nerve that causes your muscles to contract.
Naturally, one of the most pressing questions you would have is: how long does my botox treatment last? While we all wish for botox to last forever, the unfortunate news is that its effects are temporary. Eventually, the neurotoxin will wear off, and you will require further botox treatments in Singapore to maintain your treatments’ efficacy.
The duration of the treatment’s effects varies from person to person. Some patients may find that the results wear off after 2 months while there are patients who enjoy the benefits of botox for as long as half a year! However, in general, the effects of botox treatments last around 3 to 4 months. Some patients may even find that the results last longer during their second treatment compared to their first.