Botulinum toxin, more widely known as botox, is one of the most popular aesthetic medicine procedures. It is used to relax the muscles responsible for facial expressions, which significantly reduces facial wrinkles. The procedure is short and safe, and the risk of complications is negligible if performed by an experienced physician.
What age is it best to start using botox? Opinions seem to be split, we assume that prevention is better than cure, so we recommend our Patients the treatment with botulinum toxin when the first mimic wrinkles appear, because at that time we can completely eliminate them and prevent their deepening. At the age of 40-50, when the wrinkles are already fixed, botulinum toxin will make them shallower but not eliminate them.
Botox power can be adjusted – you can reduce wrinkles with a natural facial expression without a mask effect or completely block the work of the muscles responsible for wrinkles, thus creating the effect of perfectly smooth skin.
The second, less known effect of botulinum toxin is its therapeutic properties. At Princesse, we also use it to treat migraines, bruxism, hands, feet and armpit hyperhidrosis.
We use only the highest quality preparations of Azzalure® and Botox® brands.
1
On the forehead, we distinguish horizontal wrinkles, which are accentuated when we make a surprised face, and vertical wrinkles, such as the lion’s wrinkle between the eyebrows. With botox injections, we can easily relax facial muscles of the forehead, thus removing unsightly wrinkles. With botulinum toxin, we can also elevate the eyebrows slightly, adding a youthful touch to the face and visually opening the eye.
2
Crow’s feet are usually the first wrinkles that appear at a very young age. They are located around the eyes and accentuate when smiling. They often cause unsightly make-up clumping. Their elimination is very simple – just a few injections of botulinum toxin. The muscles around the eye relax and the crow’s feet disappear. Botox can also be successfully used to reduce fine wrinkles under the eyes.
3
Botulinum toxin has many applications. It removes rabbit wrinkles, which are located at the base of the nose, smoker’s wrinkles around the mouth, smooths out marionette lines running from the mouth to the chin.
Botox can also be used to elevate the corners of the mouth, smooth out marbled chin, or “holes” caused by excessive muscle tension, and eliminate the effect of a turkey neck with strongly visible, tense tendons.
4
Bruxism is excessive jaw clenching and involuntary teeth grinding. It causes pain, tooth wear, and an unsightly growth of the masseter muscles, which optically widen and masculinise the face. Basic treatment should be applied in the orthopaedic clinic, but it is a long-term process. A good solution is administering Botox in the meantime, which will reduce the symptoms. In a healthy person, injections of botulinum toxin into the masseters will also reduce them and optically slim the face.
5
Hyperhidrosis is a very unpleasant condition, affecting social interaction and causing considerable discomfort. At Princesse, we use botulinum toxin injections to eliminate hyperhidrosis of hands, armpits and feet. With the injections, we can block nerve conduction in the given parts and completely or partially block sweating. The treatment is also recommended to people without excessive sweating but allergic to antiperspirants or those who simply do not like to use such products. Our Patients usually decide to undergo the procedure in the summer.
6
The causes of migraines are not fully understood. There are many factors that cause them. Migraine treatment at Princesse consists in administering botulinum toxin to the appropriate points. According to the Polish Headache Society and the International Headache Society, botox treatment is considered the most effective for chronic migraine. This type of treatment is more effective than prophylactic medications used before. It is effective in case of approximately 80% of Patients.
Botox is a common name for botulinum toxin, which is a potent neurotoxin produced by anaerobic bacteria, the Clostridum botulinum bacilli. There are several types of botulinum toxin and they are designated by the letters A through H. In medicine, type A is usually used, less often type B. When administered intramuscularly, it blocks muscle and nerve conduction by inhibiting the production of acetylcholine. This results in temporary immobilization of the muscle for a few months, which then returns to full function.
Botox was initially used in neurology and ophthalmology, for example, to treat excessive muscle tension in newborns, after a stroke, or to treat strabismus. Another miraculous effect of botulinum toxin – relaxation of mimic muscles causing wrinkle disappearance – was also noticed in strabismus treatment. Thus, botox has “burst onto the scene” and became a permanent tool in every aesthetic medicine clinic in the world.
Nowadays, it is called “a lunchtime procedure”. It is fast, safe, requires almost no recovery period.
Botox procedures prevent the myoaging process, i.e. aging related to activity of mimic muscles, hence they are helpful in anti-aging prevention. This is due to the way the toxin works, which by limiting activity of mimic muscles causes the skin, which is strongly connected with muscles, to stop contracting e.g. when squinting, smiling or raising and creasing eyebrows.
During the aesthetic procedure, small fragments of muscles are immobilised and the face still looks natural.
Effects may be different in different Patients. It depends on natural physiognomy and the amount and technique of botulinum toxin administration. During the consultation, the Patient can inform about their expectations and together with a physician determine the best treatment plan.
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During the consultation, we discuss the expected effect and chose the best method for the Patient. Before the treatment an anaesthetic ointment is applied, which significantly reduces pain sensations – the injections feel similar to mosquito bites. During the procedure botulinum toxin is injected with a very thin needle into the appropriate part of the muscle.
Redness, which usually occurs after botulinum toxin injection at the injection site, disappears within a day. For several hours after the procedure, the Patient should not to lie down or make sudden movements of the head, so as not to dislocate the preparation. For two days the Patient should not use the sauna and solarium, as well as heat the place of treatment.
The effects of muscle relaxation usually begin to appear after about 3-4 days, and the full effect is visible after two weeks.
Very rarely, about 2% of Patients may experience dizziness and nausea on the day of Botox administration or the day after, or a sub-febrile state may occur. This is an immune reaction of the body in particularly sensitive individuals. It is not dangerous, however, it is worth inform us about it, because it will help us in the future to adjust the appropriate dose for the Patient.
The procedure does not require much preparation.
Do not consume alcohol, caffeine or drugs 24 hours before the procedure.
One week before the procedure, do not take common painkillers, as they thin the blood and may cause more bruising after insertions. Garlic and onion have a similar effect.
If you take NSAIDs, talk to your GP and ask if you can discontinue them two weeks before your procedure. If your GP refuses, don’t discontinue your medication on your own! The procedure can still be performed, but you must expect more bruising.
Two weeks before the procedure, you can start taking vitamin C, which will strengthen capillary walls and thus reduce formation of bruises.
The effects of botulinum toxin appear within a few days and its full potential is visible after two weeks. In case of wrinkle therapy, the effect is smoothing of mimic muscles, shallowing of folds and inhibition of excessive facial expression. In case of hyperhidrosis treatment, we observe complete or partial cessation of sweating in selected treatment sites. Botox effects usually last from 3 to 9 months, on average about 6 months.
Is it possible to become immune to the effects of botox? Yes, people who frequently use botulinum toxin may produce antibodies and immunisation causing the effect to disappear quickly. In this situation, there are two options – you can take a one-year break or change the type of preparation used for the treatment.
There are not many contraindications to botox, but they must be taken into consideration. Below you will find the most important of them.
Asymptomatic carrier of hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Viral hepatitis often affects autoimmune reactions. It mainly depends on the stage of the disease as well as its activity. Only your attending physician may decide whether you are eligible for a aesthetic medicine procedure. Ask them for a written consent for the procedure. Only then, we can perform the procedure.
Diabetes.
In case of advanced diabetes wound healing is impaired. However, when treated and controlled, diabetes is not a problem. If you have diabetes, please ask your attending physician for a written consent for the aesthetic medicine procedure and present it to us on the day of the procedure.
Active cancer.
Cancer that occurred less than 5 years prior to the procedure.
Chemo- and radiotherapy
Autoimmune diseases apart from thyroid disease, acquired vitiligo, and alopecia areata. For example, these diseases include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis.
Treatment with Izotec or its substitutes less than 6 months prior the procedure date.
Steroids, except asthma medications and inhaled steroids, taken less than one month prior to the scheduled procedure.
Fungal medications or antibiotics taken less than one week prior to the procedure.
Tendency to keloids.
Hemofilia.
Epilepsy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. We do not perform procedures in pregnant ladies or nursing mothers, even with the physician’s consent. When it comes to children, one can’t be too careful!
Asymptomatic HIV infection or active AIDS.
Skin diseases in the planned treatment site.
Fever, viral or bacterial infection on the day of the procedure.
Our clinic was established in 2005, which has allowed us to gain extensive experience. We have already performed over 35,000 treatments. Our metamorphoses are known as the most spectacular in Poland. We can easily create very natural or extremely expressive effects for you.
At Princesse® we use only the highest quality preparations coming directly from the manufacturers. The high quality of services is confirmed by over 800 customer opinions collected on Booksy and Facebook, the average of which is 5/5.
In our treatments, we focus on strict adherence to procedures - regardless of which of our locations you choose, you will encounter the same advanced treatment techniques, which is due to our central training center for employees and very high staff requirements.
Princesse® is a modern aesthetic medicine clinic and training centre. It was established in 2005. Thanks to extensive experience and over 35,000 procedures performed to date, we have been able to select only the best procedures and equipment.
Princesse® employs highly specialised medical and cosmetology staff, who continue to improve their skills by participating in seminars and conferences devoted to the fields they practice, both in Poland and worldwide.
At Princesse®, we focus on naturalness and perfection as well as spectacular effects presented by models and celebrities. We believe that aesthetic medicine procedures are meant not to be a disguise, but to emphasise and highlight the strengths that each of us has.
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Sat-Sun: closed
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Warsaw, Włochy
ul. Instalatorów 5a/U2
02-237 Warsaw
Wrocław, Krzyki
ul. Rymarska 14
53-206 Wrocław
Cracow, Old Town
ul. Józefa Dietla 50/15
31-039 Cracow
Trams no. 18, 22, 52.
