Botulinum Toxin A (known as Botox®/Dysport®)

Botulinum toxin A (known as Botox®/Dysport®) is a muscle neurotoxin used in aesthetic medicine for wrinkle reduction. Although the substance is the most poisonous toxin known, the dosage is so low that its use is without risk. The treated muscles, primarily those around the glabellar frown lines and forehead, eye and laugh lines, flag approx. two to ten days after it is injected. Botulinum toxin must be administered by an experienced physician, as too much muscle flagging can lead to undesirable and sometimes one-sided effects. Results from this treatment are often amazing, as it gives the patient a more relaxed and fresh appearance without creating a mask-like appearance or change in facial expression.

The effects of botulinum toxin A last approx. six to nine months. First muscle activity begins as early as three months after it is administered, thus, further treatments should be carried out before the effect has fully subsided. Treatment should be repeated at the first sign of muscle activity—especially for the first few treatments—approx. three to four months following the first injection. Later, the treatment intervals can lengthened, spacing them up to one year or more apart.

The great advantage of notulinum toxin is that there are no long-term side effects or change to facial expressions. Also, this method of smoothing wrinkles is bloodless, so it can be performed without the risks of an operation. As a general rule, the patient is able to resume a normal social life within minutes following the injection. Only in rare cases does redness (erythema) or minor bruising (hematoma) occur.

Botulinum toxin is also very effective in treating overproduction of the sweat glands (please also see Over Production of Sweat Glands).