Botulinum toxin vs hyaluronic acid: which one to opt for?
What is botulinum toxin ?
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin blocks the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected, and therefore prevents the muscle contraction that is usually responsible for facial wrinkles. It causes temporary muscle paralysis and consequently smoother skin on the upper face. Botox injections are reversible after a certain period of time.
What are the indications for botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxin has been used for 25 years in neurology, ophthalmology and paediatric medicine. The substance has several therapeutic indications like neurogenic overactive detrusor, multiple sclerosis, medulla injuries, ocular motricity disorders, blepharospasm, spasmodic torticollis, severe axillary hyperhidrosis, and so on.
Botulinum toxin may be combined with several medications like aminoglycoside antibiotics, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotic medications, muscle relaxants, and so on.
The doctor has to conduct preliminary examinations and talk thoroughly with the patient before opting for botulinic toxin as a treatment.
By using botulinum toxin, one can notice a significant improvement in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) starting from the first session after injections. The results of botox injections can last for a period of 4 months. It is to be noted that results can last up to a year in certain cases. Other botulinum toxin injections sessions can be scheduled, but a period of 4 months should be respected in-between injections.
What are the indications for botulinum toxin in cosmetic surgery?
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin is a popular injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial fine lines and wrinkles. The most commonly treated areas are frown lines, forehead creases, and crow's feet near the eyes. Several other areas have been treated such as thick bands in the neck, thick jaw muscles, lip lines and gummy smiles.
After a thorough analysis of facial skin quality and wrinkles, the doctor may recommend combining several products and techniques to reduce facial aging (in general).
Muscular relaxation achieved a few days after your injections is indeed reversible. It usually lasts from 4 to 6 months. In order to keep botox results intact, re-injections are needed after a period of 4 months or so.
-to treat frown lines between the eyebrows, toxin is injected into three muscles: two of them are situated at the level of the eyebrows and another at the bridge of the nose.
-to treat horizontal wrinkles in the forehead, toxin is injected into the frontal muscle (ensuring eyebrow raise).
-to treat crow's feet wrinkles (wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye), toxin is injected into the lids’ orbicular muscle.
Results of toxin injections are visible after two weeks and post-injection effects are usually mild. Wrinkles of the upper face are temporarily reduced, if not removed, and the face looks younger than ever. Face mimic muscles activity and talking should be avoided at all costs so that product injections be diffused locally in an appropriate manner.
What are the uses and benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in soft connective tissues of the body and in the fluid surrounding eyes. It is also found in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. Our bodies produce an approximate amount of 5 g per day; mostly used for the rejuvenation of skin tissues.
Hyaluronic acid is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers in the world of cosmetic surgery. The substance has been revolutionary in its treatment of wrinkles and bitter facial aspect.
What are the medical and cosmetic indications for hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid treatment is voluminazing and can be therefore used to correct certain morphological imperfections like a receding chin, flat cheeks, cutaneous imperfections or scars (acne, chickenpox, facial trauma, etc.). Deformations and regions of the body that lack volume can be also corrected through hyaluronic acid injections.
However, if the correction demands important volume injections, it is recommended to undergo a lipofilling instead.
The more known indications of hyaluronic acid injections are imperfections of the face like wrinkles, fine lines (lion’s wrinkles, crow’s-feet wrinkles, etc.), furrows of the face (nasolabial folds, bitterness folds, chin and lip folds, etc.), the neck, the lips, bitter facial aspect, and loss of volume that is due to aging (cheeks, under eye, chin, cheekbones, mandibular contour, nose, etc.).
However, it is to be noted that hyaluronic acid lasts for a longer period when injected into the lower face.
Few hours after your injection, it is recommended to avoid face mimic muscles activity and talking. It is also advised not to drink alcohol or expose treated zones to the sun for a few days after the injection. Post-injection effects may include bruising and temporary redness. If you have been injected in the lips, bruising can last up to a week. It is important to be patient as results can be only appreciated after a few days.
The period after which you will be able to enjoy definitive results of your injections may vary according to skin type and quality, the treated zone, and the viscosity of the product (which may be viscuous or liquidy).
Hyaluronic acid injections can be used on their own or combined with other medico-surgical techniques of rejuvenation such as a blepharoplasty or a face lift surgery. Hyaluronic acid injections may be also combined to botulinum toxin injections (when needed or requested).
When to use botulinum toxin and when to use hyaluronic acid?
To conclude, in cosmetic surgery:
-botulinum toxin blocks the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected, and therefore prevents the muscle contraction that is usually responsible for facial wrinkles. It causes temporary muscle paralysis and consequently smoother skin. That is why botulinum toxin is only injected into the upper face; that is where the skin is mostly tense.
-hyaluronic acid is voluminazing and can be therefore used to correct certain morphological imperfections like a receding chin, flat cheeks, cutaneous imperfections or scars. It gives a plumpier aspect to the zone it was injected and is mostly used for the lower face.
Both injection types can be combined for a more harmonious look; by giving more volume to bitter zones of the face and blocking signs of aging. The results are not permanent; therefore, re-injection sessions must be scheduled with your doctor in order to maintain already-achieved results.
