According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) over 20 million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures were performed worldwide in 2014.
Leading this list as the most accomplished procedure in the world is Botulinum Toxin type A, better known as BOTOX, a product used in aesthetic medicine to correct lines or wrinkles of facial expression.
Since the early 1990s, botulinum toxin has been used to treat disorders such as facial spasms, muscle contractions, giving physicians who use it the knowledge that the product is effective and perfectly safe.
There are several brands of botulinum toxin available, including BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and Azzalure®.
The best indications for treatment with botulinum toxin are on the upper third of the face, for correction of vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, horizontal furrows on the forehead.
It has a rapid recovery and results come after three to four days, lasting six to nine months; if treatment is not repeated at the end of this period, expression wrinkles return spontaneously, although less intense.
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Length
Ten to thirty minutes.
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Anesthesia
None or topical anesthetic cream.
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Inpatient/Outpatient
Outpatient.
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Possible Side Effects
Immediately after treatment only the small pinpricks are visible. Light bruising. Some patients experience a slight headache during the first week.
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Risks
There are no permanent risks in healthy individuals. Myasthenia Gravis is a contraindication. Asymmetry. Drooping of the eyelid can occur in one to five percent ; it usually recovers spontaneously within three to four weeks.
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Recovery
The effect only arises after three to four days, and lasts for four to six months. When treatment is not repeated the original movement always comes back spontaneously.
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Results
Correction of expression wrinkles, which improves with repetition of the treatment. More relaxed facial expression.
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