Botox

The miracle substance used in aesthetic medicine known as BOTOX is in reality botulinum toxin, a toxin produced by bacteria. Its action is myorelaxant, meaning it temporarily reduces the contractions of the treated muscles.

Its use has been established since 1975 in ophthalmology and neurology, and since 2003 botulinum toxin has been approved for aesthetic use. It is currently the most widely used method in the world for smoothing existing wrinkles and preventing the appearance of new ones. The action of Botox is transient; the contractions of certain facial expression muscles are significantly reduced. This is why Botox treatment is called a dynamic facial treatment.

This treatment requires excellent technical injection expertise and perfect anatomical knowledge of the face. For these reasons, the use of Botox is primarily authorized for Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Ophthalmologists, ENT surgeons, Maxillofacial Surgeons, and Stomatologists. By law, the aesthetic use of botulinum toxin is not authorized for general practitioners. Laboratories are not permitted to sell botulinum toxin to general practitioners.

The benefits of Botox treatment are twofold:

• Preventive: reducing muscular contractility through decreased activation of certain facial expression areas slows or prevents the appearance of expression wrinkles in these zones. The example of Japanese women who maintain smooth skin for a long time is attributed to their extremely minimal facial expressions.
• Curative: when wrinkles have already appeared, they remain permanently, as the mechanism is entirely mechanical -- namely, fracture of subcutaneous collagen mesh. These lesions are irreparable. However, by using Botox, you can substantially smooth wrinkled areas through relaxation of the underlying muscles.

If one day you feel that your age is not in harmony with your self-perception, if wrinkles and fine lines are beginning to bother you, if your face is starting to look tired, it may be time to find small solutions without resorting to surgery. Here, Botox injection will be both curative and preventive, helping you avoid further deterioration. As part of preventive treatment, you can begin injections early in life precisely so that wrinkles do not appear.

Botox can treat:

• Crow's feet,
• Frown lines,
• Forehead wrinkles,
• Supra-eyebrow wrinkles,
• Drooping eyebrow tail,
• Chin creases,
• Less commonly, excessive tension in other facial muscles, for example:
• Gummy smile treatment.
• Nasal tip that drops downward when smiling.
• Neckline (platysmal bands)

The primary effect of Botox is to give a refreshed appearance with smoother skin and a more relaxed face.

For a successful botulinum toxin injection session, it is essential to find a practitioner who is genuinely trained in this field and has years of expertise. Extensive knowledge of anatomy is extremely important for mastering faces in three dimensions. Only a cosmetic surgeon can offer you a comprehensive therapeutic assessment, because in addition to Botox injection, they are familiar with a wide range of surgical techniques. You must always have access to traceability before and after the injection, and you should insist on knowing the type of product used for the injection.

It is very important during the consultation to analyze the extent of expression and emotion lines. Botulinum toxin injection by a cosmetic surgeon, with their extensive anatomical knowledge, provides a certain guarantee of quality. Knowledge of anatomy and muscular dynamics is essential. Botox serves to prevent aging or to halt and at least slow down the aging process. During the consultation, it is important to identify any facial asymmetry. After injection, the patient must retain their facial expressions and the features must remain natural. Frozen faces are not part of the treatments performed by Dr Weiss.

Dr Weiss, thanks to his expertise in Botox injection after years of treating a very large number of patients, ensures above all a harmonious, natural, and never "exaggerated" result. The essential point is that the relaxed muscle does not alter the proportions of the facial features. The smooth, frozen Hollywood look is to be avoided. Dr Weiss assesses the contraction strength of the muscles to be treated by evaluating the difference between rest and active facial expression. Dr Weiss exclusively uses botulinum toxin produced by ALLERGAN, VISTABEL. In France, the trade name BOTOX is reserved for therapeutic uses. There is no specific preparation required before botulinum toxin injection. Dr Weiss evaluates any potential contraindications such as pregnancy, herpes, neuromuscular diseases, aminoglycoside antibiotic treatment, use of anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, hypersensitivity, or injections performed too closely together.

The procedure in the office: After assessing the injection points, the injection itself is performed with extremely fine, minimally painful needles that do not require anesthesia.

The Botox injection procedure takes place in the office.

• During the consultation, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form and a quote.
• A photo session before and after the injection is conducted.
• The injection area is cleansed of makeup if necessary and disinfected.
• Dynamic examination of the face.
• The injection is performed using very fine, minimally painful needles that do not require anesthesia.
• Injection sessions last between 10 minutes and half an hour.
• The patient can reapply makeup immediately after the injection.

The main drawbacks immediately after the procedure may include slight tingling, redness, and minor bruising that is easily concealed with makeup.

After the injection, for 24 hours it is advisable to avoid very hot showers, steam rooms, saunas, and strenuous physical activity. It is not recommended to massage the injected areas or to adopt inverted postures (head down).

The most important advantage of botulinum toxin treatment is that its effect is transient and reversible, lasting on average 4 months. Dr Weiss does not recommend more than 2 Botox injections per year, as muscles that are used less become weakened and the effect persists until the 6th month. After certain periods, it is possible to reduce injection frequency to once per year. The result is noticeable after one week. Botox treatment produces a very positive "Facial Feedback" effect, where expressions of sadness or anger are temporarily reduced. This effect can alleviate depressive tendencies in the patient. Botox injection, very common among women, is becoming increasingly popular among men.

If the result does not meet your expectations, you simply stop the injections and your face will return to its previous state.

The most common treatment combination with Botox is Hyaluronic Acid injection to treat the static face, meaning volume. Botox should not be combined with a surgical procedure due to the risk of unusual diffusion.

Today there is no alternative that can achieve the effect obtained through botulinum toxin injection. Major cosmetic surgery procedures that could generate a similar effect, such as various types of brow lifts, are increasingly rare.