Aesthetics Services
Botulinum Injection
You might have seen celebrities who have undergone BTX treatments, only to end up looking a far cry from their original faces. Or you may have seen celebrities (and even regular people!) who have undergone the same treatment but actually look good.
The right doctor with a keen eye for aesthetics matters, especially in BTX treatment.
What is BTX?
BTX was first introduced to reduce the effect of ageing and dull skin. It uses a neurotoxin clostridium botulinum to minimise facial muscle activity that causes fine lines.
A small amount of clostridium botulinum is injected into the deepest layer of your skin, slowly reducing but preserving muscle movement. When injected in the right perimeter of your face, it can help to gently lift your complexion and over time reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
What are the different types of BTX?
The different types and brands of BTX include:
● BTX type A or onabotulinumtoxina
● Bocouture
● Xeomin
● Dysport
● Myobloc
What can BTX treat?
BTX is an approved treatment for wrinkles and fine lines particularly in the area between your eyebrows, forehead, and around your eye.
- Frown lines – These lines make you appear angry or upset.
- Forehead lines – These lines make you appear older and can become permanent if nothing is done about it.
- Crow’s feet – Every time we make a facial expression, tiny muscle contractions happen to give us that expression. These repeated muscle contractions can cause lines around the corners of your eyes to develop over time.
- Square face – Jaw Botulinum toxin, as it is referred to, involves injecting Botulinum toxin into the masseter muscles located at the angle of the jaw. While Jaw Botulinum toxin can help you achieve that V-shaped face, it is actually used to treat medical conditions such as temporomandibular joint syndrome, or to correct habits like clenching the jaw or grinding teeth.
Similarly, BTX can be used to address other medical conditions.
- Hyperhidrosis
BTX is FDA-approved to treat severe underarm sweating, or hyperhidrosis. A study found that it helps 9 out of 10 patients, and reduces sweat by as much as 75%.
- Chronic migraines
BTX is also FDA-approved to treat chronic migraines. In one study, people who had BTX injected for migraine treatment experienced 50% less attacks in a month after just two sessions. After a third session, the frequency dropped to 75%. If you’re looking for BTX as a migraine treatment, be sure to go to a BTX Singapore doctor who is trained to use BTX as a medical treatment, and not just for cosmetic purposes.
- Overactive bladders
People with overactive bladders often feel an urgent need to pee, sometimes eight to 10 times a day. Although the first line of treatment is usually anticholinergic medications, Botulinum toxin can be used to relax the muscles and nerves around the bladder.
FAQs
What is a typical BTX session like?
In general, a session should not take more than 15 minutes. A very fine needle is used for the injection, so the procedure is almost painless and there is minimal to no bruising post-injection.
After the injection, you may see some redness or mild swelling at the treatment site but this should subside in an hour. You should also avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
The full effect of Botulinum toxin treatment can take anywhere between 7 to 10 days to show. Thereafter, you will be scheduled to return for a review. Your next appointment would be within the next 3 to 4 months.
You are recommended to repeat treatment when lines start to show, and not when lines are fully seen.
Is BTX painful?
As the needles used are very small, the injection itself is almost painless. Some patients may experience some discomfort at the injection site, but it is a temporary side effect that will subside within an hour.
Applying a cold compress to the injection site before the treatment can help ease the discomfort and reduce the risk of bruising.
Are there side effects?
Apart from some redness and bruising at the treatment area, most people do not experience other side effects. In very rare cases, there may be some facial asymmetry due to different absorption of the BTX into the muscles, or the BTX effects felt in muscles not meant to be injected – but this only happens in the hands of an inexperienced doctor.
On the other hand, there are also patients who see no visible effects. In this case, the dose of your BTX may be adjusted to produce visible results.
How soon can I see results?
You should see early results within 3 to 4 days of your treatment, and the full effects should show about 10 to 14 days after your treatment.
How long the effects last hinge on the strength of your facial muscles. On average, it should last up to 4 months. For better and long-lasting results, you should go for maintenance treatment.
When should I start doing BTX?
Before, women only considered BTX when they entered their 40s, or when they noticed noticeable fine lines. Today, women are starting to take a proactive approach to anti-ageing, using BTX as a prevention rather than a treatment.
Another trend making waves is Baby BTX. Baby BTX uses a much smaller dose, precisely injected into treatment areas. This method is suitable for first-time users who are worried about unnatural results.
How much is BTX in Singapore?
The cost of BTX varies largely due to the number of units required for treatment and the area of treatment.
