Contrary to popular belief, Botox is not a snake venom, but a toxin of a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum (Botulinum Toxin Type A). The toxin obtained from this bacterium in the laboratory environment is purified, diluted and bottled as a medicine.

In Turkey, 3 different brands of botulinum toxin originating from America and Europe are used, except for Chinese or Indian products. Although Botox is actually the market name of the botulinum toxin produced by the Allergan company, it has become the name used for all botulinum toxins in general, since it is the first product to come out. Other brand names are Dysport and Neurobloc.

After it was determined that the toxin of the microorganism C. botulinum caused temporary muscle paralysis, Botox was first used by orthopedists to relax spastic muscles and by ophthalmologists in the treatment of strabismus. It was envisaged that it could also be used to prevent the movements of the facial muscles that cause mimic lines over time, and for this purpose, FDA approval was obtained and it was put into aesthetic use. It is currently the most common non-surgical aesthetic application in the world.

Wrinkles on the facial skin are caused by the contraction of the muscles we use to make our facial expressions. Since not everyone does the same mimics at the same frequency, and the thickness and structure of the skin are not the same, the age and places where these wrinkles or lines begin to form are not exactly the same. Even at the age of 20, the lines between the eyebrows can become quite evident in people who tend to frown. People who smile by squinting or whose eyes are constantly squinted because their eyes are very sensitive to the sun may also develop lines called crow’s feet at a very early age. People who use their forehead muscles a lot while talking may have horizontal lines on their foreheads. Some people may have droopy eyebrows due to aging, while others may have genetic reasons. This lowness can be treated with surgery, as well as for those who do not have time for surgery or who are afraid of surgery, the edges of the eyebrows can be lifted with botox. Botulunium Toxin A is a treatment method applied especially for horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles around the eyes called crow’s feet, and eyebrow lifting.

When botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle that causes the mimic we do not want, it temporarily reduces or stops the contractile function of the muscle, and thus the skin on the muscle becomes flat because it cannot be wrinkled. Botox application is an easy injection procedure that can be done in outpatient conditions. A slight swelling and redness may occur in the injection areas, which disappears within half an hour. The effect of the drug usually begins to appear after 2-3 days and fully settles in 7-10 days. After the first application, the effect usually lasts for 4 months, with repeated applications, this effect can last up to 8 months. The amount of dose administered, its location, and the number of times it is administered are also factors affecting the duration.

Botox should not be applied to those who have certain neurological diseases, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those who use aspirin/blood thinners and have active infections in the areas where the injection will be made, botox should be applied after the anticoagulant drug is stopped and/or the infection at the injection site is treated.

Botulinum toxin does not spread to the body in cosmetic application doses. Allergic complaints are almost nonexistent all over the world. The side effects of botulinum toxin are drooping of the eyelid, depending on the application area. With some drops, this miscarriage can be treated in 2-3 weeks.

It is not possible for new wrinkles to form or to deepen existing wrinkles in areas under the influence of botulinum toxin.

Uncontrolled sweating is the last thing we need while trying to catch up with today’s busy work pace. Almost everyone uses deodorant products, also called “anti-perspirants”, to keep sweating under control during the day at the start of the day. However, for some, these products are not enough and the person realizes that they sweat excessively during the day and feel uncomfortable. There is now an easy solution for this condition called hyperhidrosis, which means excessive sweating. Botulinum toxin A, which is often applied to remove facial expression lines and wrinkles, is a product that has been FDA approved for use in the treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin A is also commonly known commercially as Botox® or Dysport®. Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin and just as it weakens the mimic muscles by blocking the transmission from the nerves to the muscles, it also blocks the transmission of the stimulus from the nerves to the sweat glands. In this way, the person feels comfortable, relaxed and dry.