Botulinum Toxin Injections
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin (commonly referred to as “Botox” by patients), is a popular injectable treatment in Singapore that relaxes the facial muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, such as the “11” frown lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles around the lips (smoker’s lines) and marionette lines. When injected in the masseter muscle, it is also known to cosmetically slim the jawline and balance facial proportions while relieving clenching or teeth grinding.
What is Botox? A Closer Look at Botulinum Toxin
Did you know that while we commonly say ‘Botox’, it’s just one brand name among various formulations incorporate botulinum toxin for cosmetic treatments?
Botulinum toxin is a purified neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In the medical and cosmetic field, it is often administered in small doses as an injectable treatment to interrupt nerve signals to facial muscles with the primary objective of temporarily relaxing these muscles to address facial lines and wrinkles.
The Science Behind Botox Treatments
If you are considering Botox, understanding the mechanisms of this treatment is essential. Botox injections involves using a substance known as onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily immobilize muscles. This toxin originates from the microorganism that causes botulism, a form of food poisoning. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that the purified forms of botulinum toxin administered by licensed healthcare providers meet rigorous medical control standards.Typically, in aesthetic procedures, botulinum toxin type A is preferred.
Botox was the pioneering drug in utilizing botulinum toxin for medical purposes. Other variants of botulinum toxin include abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc), and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) — each with slight differences, particularly in dosage units, making them non-interchangeable.
Administered through an ultra-fine needle into facial muscles, botulinum toxin is commonly administered in these typical scenarios:
Facial Rejuvenation
Through the temporary relaxation of facial muscles, botulinum toxin (or Botox) effectively addresses dynamic wrinkles and reduces the appearance of fine lines resulting from expressive muscle movements like smiling, laughing, or squinting. This unique action also brings about a subtle lifting effect, often referred to as the ‘Botox Brow Lift’, as it relaxes the facial muscles that typically pull the brows downward into a frowning expression.
Facial Contouring
When administered into the masseter (jaw) muscles, botulinum toxin (or Botox) alleviates various conditions associated with tense masseter muscles such as teeth grinding, clenching, jaw pain, and headaches. For aesthetic purposes, it can also be utilised to reduce the size of jaw muscles for a more defined and angled V-shaped jawline.
Other Medical Conditions
In cases where medications prove ineffective, medical practitioners may turn to botulinum toxin as an alternative for treating chronic migraines, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), neck spasms, an overactive bladder, and lazy eye syndrome to provide relief to patients.
Prior to undergoing botulinum toxin injections, it’s imperative, as with all cosmetic and medical treatments, to consult a licensed doctor. A qualified professional can evaluate your suitability, offer personalised advice, and suggest treatment options based on your specific concerns. Each individual and case is distinct, and an expert’s insight ensures a customised approach to your needs.
Benefits of Botox Treatments
Whether you aim to revitalize your skin, enhance your facial contours, or address other specific concerns, Botox injections can deliver a range of benefits:
Gummy smile correction
Facial sculpting advantages, including subtle eyebrow lift and jawline contouring
Smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles such as crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, smile lines, or marionette lines
Management of various medical conditions like excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), chronic migraine relief, neck spasms, overactive bladder, and lazy eye syndrome
Additionally, Botox treatments are recognised as a quick, lunch-time procedure with minimal to no side effects and downtime, enabling patients to resume their daily activities after the treatment.
10 Areas Commonly Treated with Botox
Uncover the top 10 regions where botulinum toxin is commonly administered in Singapore. From the subtle enhancement of brow contours to the smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles across the forehead, eye region, mid-face, and extending to the neck, discover the versatility of Botox to rediscover a radiant and refreshed self.
Is Botox The Right Choice For You?
You may be an ideal candidate for botulinum toxin injections if you identify with one or more of the following concerns:
Brow sagging or droopiness
Displaying a gummy smile
Noticing a wide or square jawline
Formation of lines above the upper lip
Presence of frown lines between the brows
Makeup settling into facial creases and lines
Struggling with jaw clenching or teeth grinding
Dealing with hyperhidrosis, characterised by excessive underarm and hand sweating
For an in-depth consultation to determine your suitability for Botox treatments, schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors here.
What To Expect During Your Treatment
BOTOX CONSULTATION
Our aesthetic doctor will evaluate your skin’s condition, quality, concerns and desired outcomes to determine if you are a suitable candidate for botulinum toxin injections.
PRIOR TO THE TREATMENT
For individuals who are uncomfortable with needles, we offer the option of applying an anaesthetic cream to the treated area to minimise any potential discomfort.
THE INJECTION PROCESS
Conducted by qualified doctors, tiny amounts of botulinum toxin will be administered into your skin. The units required vary based on the current condition of your skin and anticipated outcomes.
Meet Our Aesthetic Doctor — Dr. Jonathan Lee
GUIDE ON SELECTING THE BEST BOTOX CLINIC OR DOCTOR IN SINGAPORE
If you’re considering Botox treatments, it’s imperative to consult with an experienced doctor capable of offering personalised advice for your specific skin concerns.
Typically, general practitioners (GPs), dermatologists, and other medical spas often offer a limited range of cosmetic services.
In contrast, aesthetic clinics present a diverse menu of cosmetic treatments and possess the expertise to thoroughly discuss all available options — including their pros, cons, benefits, and expectations, in addressing your unique skin concerns.
An experienced doctor comprehends the nuances of combining different treatment modalities for optimal outcomes and collaborates closely with you to understand your needs. Their wealth of experience in administering Botox and other aesthetic treatments equips them to navigate and manage any potential unfavourite outcomes, ensuring you achieve the best results with confidence and safety.
Avoid the misconception of choosing treatments based solely on price or luck. Instead, seek the expertise of a knowledgable doctor who can assist you in making the best choices based on your existing skin condition, budget, and desired outcomes and manage any potential side effects that may arise.
Delve into the significance of your safety and why it matters here.
Before and After Photos of Botox Results
As dictated by Ministry of Health, we are not allowed to publish ‘before’ and ‘after’ images of aesthetic treatments. If you are interested in seeing the full before-and-after results please provide us with your name and email below, and we will send the images to your email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
DOES IT HURT TO GET BOTOX INJECTIONS?
A common question we often get from our patients is whether the procedure is painful. Undergoing any injectable treatments may seem daunting, and most would assume that receiving Botox injections would be painful. The needle used to administer the botulinum toxin injection is extremely small, and many individuals describe the process as surprisingly tolerable, with a mild sensation that’s similar to a pin prick.
While it is not necessary, patients can also opt for topical anesthesia to be applied before the procedure for an extra layer of comfort.
IS BOTOX (BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTION) SAFE?
Yes, Botox injections are generally safe when administered by a licensed and experienced doctor familiar with the proper administration of Botox and equipped to handle adverse situations. Nevertheless, if administered incorrectly by an inexperienced individual lacking the necessary knowledge, the procedure can lead to undesirable outcomes and potential harm.
To minimise potential risks, it’s recommended to thoroughly research both the doctor and and the aesthetic clinic, opting for a well-established facility with a proven track record of delivering excellent patient care and results.
Making choices based solely on price is discouraged. As the adage goes, you get what you pay for, and the quality of the outcome often commensurate with the investment. The potential risks associated with poorly executed Botox or complications far outweigh any cost considerations.
CAN I GET BOTOX TREATMENTS IF I’M PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING?
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to refrain from undergoing Botox procedures while pregnant or breastfeeding. This precaution is essential to safeguard the well-being of both the mother and the child, ensuring that potential risks or adverse effects are minimised during these critical stages of maternal and infant health.
When will I see results? How long does a Botox treatment lasts?
It takes about 3-5 days to see the full effects of Botox.
The results typically last about 4 to 6 months — this varies depending on the individual as well. Overtime, our bodies naturally metabolizes the botox injection, leading to the slow return of muscle movement in the treatment area.
You may also opt to get Botox treatments as often as once every few months to maintain your treatments’ efficacy.
What are the possible side effects and downtime involved with Botox?
When performed by an experienced and licensed doctor, botox inejections are relatively safe. The most common side effect with botox is temporary soreness or bruising at the injection site which should subside quickly.
There is also no downtime involved — after the treatment, patients are free to resume their normal activities.
Got more questions? Contact our clinic for more information or schedule an appointment with our doctor