Botulinum toxin A, more commonly known as botox, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is also widely known by its brand names such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin.
It is used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically remove wrinkles by temporarily paralysing muscles.
At Mizu Aesthetic Clinic, we carry all three brands for botulinum toxin procedures.
Botox relaxes the muscles, and prevents strong contractions at areas such as the forehead, corners of the eyes, frown lines etc. Lines and wrinkles develop due to repeated creasing of the skin due to contraction – by relaxing muscle contractions, botox reduces lines and wrinkles.
When diluted and injected into the dermal layer instead of the facial muscles, diluted botox, or more commonly Dysport, is used to cause tightening of the skin. When injected around specific regions of the face, it can result in tightening and lifting of the whole face.
Calf reduction and contouring can be achieved with botox similar to jaw reduction by relaxing calf muscles. A slimmer, more contoured calf can be achieved within 4 weeks.
Probably the most popular botox procedure, jaw reduction works by relaxing the bulky lower jaw muscles with botox. Once relaxed, the muscles start losing 20-30% of its bulk as it is less worked. The muscle atrophy occurs over 3-4 weeks to achieve a sharper, more feminine face.
Botox, when used superficially on facial skin, stops oil production and tighten pores by inhibiting the signals to the oil glands. Skin is also tightened superficially and results in smaller pores.
Botox injections can also be used to inhibit the production of sweat at the underarms or palms of our hands. People suffering from sweaty palms or body odour from underarms can be treated with botox effectively.
Botulinum Toxin A is administered into the muscle or skin through very tiny injections. The procedures usually take 15 minutes or less. Numbing cream can be applied in some cases to make the procedures pain-free.
For lines and wrinkles, starting early gives the benefits of delaying wrinkle formation in the future. It is recommend to start preventive botox from your late twenties or early thirties onwards.
For jaw reduction, the sooner you start, the faster and more prolonged results can be. For some, after 3-4 repeated jaw reduction 5-6 months apart, results become semi-permanent!
Dr YZ Tan is a trainer with Dysport to train future doctors in the technique of facial injections (Dysport is one of the brands of botox commonly used in Singapore). With multiple certificates and courses under his belt from various countries, Dr Tan prides himself in his techniques focusing on maximum results with minimal discomfort.
