Botulinum toxin, better known as Botox, is the solution to treat frown lines. The face reflects our expressions, yet with time and repeated contractions of the face muscles, men and women often see wrinkles or facial lines appear. Wrinkles can form in our 20’s and over time, deepen and form static lines. This means that the wrinkles have evolved from being dynamic wrinkles; wrinkles that appear when we laugh, smile or frown; to static wrinkles; wrinkles that are permanently etched on our face, making us look angry or older when at rest. This is where Botox comes in useful to erase these lines and give your face a younger and more refreshed look.
Botox, is a safe anti-aging treatment designed to erase wrinkles. Wrinkles on your forehead, glabella, crows’ feet, nose and neck can be treated with just Botox to erase these lines and smoothen skin with a natural look.
Botulinum toxin is a protein used to temporarily relax facial muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines. They work by blocking the signals traveling from nerves to muscles, stopping the muscle from being able to contract. The muscles which we use to frown depress the brow and so by relaxing them using botulinum toxin, and preventing that effect, we can simultaneously smoothen the forehead lines and lift the brow making the eye look more open and awake. Although Botulinum toxin is popularly known as Botox, Botox is actually one of the brand names of Botulinum toxin. There are 3 main brands of Botulinum toxin that are HSA approved for use in Singapore- Botox®, Dysport and Xeomin. In Aesthetic Dermatology, Botox is mainly used to treat the following conditions: 1. Wrinkles 2. Jaw slimming or masseter muscle hypertrophy 3. Lifting of saggy skin For more information about Botox, please read this Botox 101 Botox® is also used by doctors to treat medical conditions such as chronic migraines, eyelid spasms, and even hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating in the armpits, hands and feet).
One of the common reasons for a square looking face or a large face is due to bulky jaw muscles. These jaw muscles at the sides of our faces are called the masseter muscles. The masseter muscles can be enlarged in a condition called masseteric hypertrophy. In patients with bruxism or habitual grinding of their teeth, their jaw muscles can also be enlarged. The treatment of square jaws, due to bulky masseter muscles, involves a quick and simple injection of Botox into these bulky jaw muscles to slim down the masseter muscle. Botox works subtly by weakening the masseter jaw muscle, resulting in a softer jaw angle. Effects can be visible in 3 weeks and the effect can last up to 6 months. Combining Botox and dermal fillers can deliver a sharper face shape and firmer jawline (the ‘V shaped face’) – With no surgery needed.
For patients desiring a non-surgical facelift, Botox can be used to lift up sagging skin. The use of Botox for lifting the skin was pioneered in South Korea and is called Dermalift. Tiny droplets of Botulinum toxin is placed under the skin for a tightening and lifting effect that can be seen immediately. Dermalift is also suitable for younger patients with early signs of sagging and aging.
Large pores and oily skin can be treated with tiny doses of botox in the dermis of the skin (“Mesobotox” or “Microbotox”). Mesobotox or Microbotox is based on the principle of Botox relaxing the muscle that opens the pore called the erector pili. This has a dual effect or shrinking pores and reducing the oiliness of the skin.
As soon as your wrinkles, pores or sagging appear, you can be treated with Botox. For some, these conditions can appear in our early 20’s so that is a safe age to be treated with Botox.
The effects of Botox can last 4-6 months on average.
Contrary to popular belief, botulinum toxins do not paralyse muscles but rather relax them. An experienced doctor knows how to use the right amount of BOTOX® injections to give you effective results in removing your wrinkles, improve the quality of your skin and enhance the way you look. With years of experience and Botox masterclasses under my belt, I can identify where Botox can help: lifting sagging skin, erasing wrinkles, sharpening the face and improving complexion without entailing a ‘frozen’ look. Our end goal shouldn’t be ‘plastic fantastic’. It’s about looking naturally great and younger.
