ProDerma offers varied treatments with Botox – Contact us for a price
Wrinkle treatment with botulinumtoksin type A (Botox, Vistabel, Xeomin, Dysport, Azzalure)
Botox needs no introduction; it’s known the world over as a fountain of youth for those who desire a wrinkle-free face. This neurotoxin produced by a certain kind of bacterium relaxes the muscles it’s injected into, the result being smoother skin. What you maybe didn’t know is that Botox also has several important uses in medicine, for example the treatment of migraine headaches, teeth grinding and hyperhidrosis.
What is Botox?
Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a neurotoxin discovered in 1820 as a cause of food poisoning. It was suggested that the toxin might be used therapeutically. Later, Clostridium botulinum was found to be the bacterial source of the toxin and it was isolated and purified for medical use. In the 1970s and 80s, ophthalmologists used Botox for treating eye muscle disorders. They observed that these patients also enjoyed diminished frown lines between the eyebrows and this revolutionized the entire aesthetic industry. Today, Botox is used by clinics across the world as the gold standard in wrinkle treatment. It’s injected directly into muscles and the mechanism of action is such that the muscles are prevented from contracting. The result is smoother skin, wrinkles become shallower and can even disappear completely after repeated treatments.
What areas of the face can be treated with Botox?
- Wrinkles between the eyebrows that are visible when one concentrates, frowns or squints (glabellar lines).
- Fan-shaped wrinkles at the corner of the eye that are visible at maximum smiling or squinting (crow’s feet / smile wrinkles).
- Horizontal brow and forehead creases (transverse lines) that are visible at when raising the eyebrows or feeling surprise or worry.
- Smoothing of dimpled skin on the chin, called pebble chin or “peau d’orange”.
- Reduction of vertical lines extending up the neck when straining (platysmal bands).
- Lines around the mouth / lip edge and depressed mouth corners, also called “sour mouth”.
- Gummy smile (showing too much of the gums when smiling).
Does Botox have any medical uses?
Absolutely! Botox was first used in the 1970s by ophthalmologists for patients with strabismus (lazy eye). In addition, Botox is currently used on several medical conditions:
- Treatment for hyperactivity in sweat glands (hyperhidrosis), e.g. in armpits, hands and feet.
- Tooth grinding – relaxes tight masseter (chewing) muscles.
- Correction of facial asymmetry.
- Migraine headaches.
- Other disorders like cervical dystonia, cerebral palsy, and upper motor neuron syndrome.
Am I a candidate for Botox?
Most people between the ages of 18-70 are good candidates for Botox injection therapy. However, in people with the following conditions treatment is contraindicated:
- Pregnant or breast-feeding
- Acne, mouth ulcers (herpes), infection or other skin disorder in the treatment area
- Allergies to any of the ingredients
- Previous facial surgery or weakness of the muscles to be treated
- People with difficulty swallowing or suffering from a neuromuscular disease
How is treatment done?
Botox is injected from a disposable syringe with very thin tip. Because the tip is so thin, there is little discomfort. Many patients describe the feeling as a mosquito bite. The entire procedure takes approximately 10-20 minutes, depending on how many areas you are having treated.
What happens after treatment? Side effects?
There are few side effects and these are usually transient and directly associated with the administration technique. Small mosquito bite-like marks and localized pain, soreness and itching after treatment is common, but this goes away after an hour or two. A hematoma (bruising) may develop, but goes away after a few days to a week. Less common side effects include mild nausea, dry mouth and headache. An allergic reaction may occur, but this is extremely uncommon. In rare cases, Botox may migrate away from the injection site and afflict muscles where it is not desired. One result of this may be drooping eyelids or drooping eyebrows (called ptosis). This goes away on its own within 1-3 weeks. For more detailed information on side effects, see felleskatalogen.no (in Norwegian).
What should I do after a Botox treatment?
Botox can diffuse and migrate away from the injection site for a short period after treatment. We would prefer to avoid this for two reasons: 1. It can then leave less Botox where we want it thus possibly reducing the effect, and 2. We do not want to do anything that increases the risk that Botox will act anywhere other than where it is meant. This reduces the final response to Botox and increases the possibility of secondary complications. Generally, we advise our patients of the following:
- The most important thing is not to lie down for the first 4 hours. You should sit upright so that you do not fall asleep and unknowingly rub the treated area.
- Keep away from exercise and other strenuous activity for at least 24 hours. Exercise increases blood circulation in the body and thus the risk of Botox migrating.
- Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for the first 24 hours. Avoid spas, facials, facial massages and the use of dermal rollers on the face.
- To be on the safe side it’s best to avoid alcohol, strong food and cold wind in the face for the first 24 hours.
- Do not use anything that can put pressure on the forehead or compress blood circulation (hat, headband, etc.). Compression can lead to Botox migration down the eyelids and lead to drooping eyelids.
- During the first 24 hours it is beneficial to use your newly treated muscles as you normally do, which increases the absorption of Botox and the treatment effect.
- If you are careful not to press too hard, you can apply mineral make-up after treatment.
What results can I expect?
One benefit of Botox is that the effect is temporary. It lasts on average 3-4 months after the first treatment. After this, you can decide whether you want to repeat the treatment and possibly also get other areas treated.
There are several factors affect the duration of Botox’s effect, but Botox becomes more effective after each treatment and last longer. Factors affecting the length of treatment are sun exposure, age, previous Botox therapy, diet (especially smoking and alcohol), skin type and current skin status, muscle tone, and genetic factors.
Botox is primarily effective on dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that form as a result of moving the face). Over time with ageing, dynamic wrinkles become static (permanent). Botox can work on static wrinkles, but its effect is limited. With enough treatments, however, the skin will become smoother and smoother. It’s important to be aware that Botox takes away the ability for muscles to contract and thus has consequences for facial expression. Therefore, there are limitations with regard to its use if one is not willing to sacrifice a normal facial appearance. Botox is especially effective in the forehead area; it can also be very effective against facial asymmetry.
How many treatments should I have?
To maintain optimal efficacy, you should schedule treatments 3-4 times a year. The results of the first scientific studies with Botox used on wrinkles indicate that the effect lasts longer after each new treatment.
This is probably due to the muscles blocked by Botox gradually getting smaller and weaker. Another factor is that one unconsciously changes facial expression as a result of certain muscles being blocked by Botox.
Prices?
1 area: NOK 1500,-
2 areas: NOK 2500,-
3 areas: NOK 3500,-
Smokers’ lines (upper lip): NOK 1200,-
Pebble chin: NOK 900,-
Sour mouth: NOK 900,-
Bunny lines: NOK 900,-
Eyebrow lift: NOK 900,-
Gummy smile: NOK 900,-
Tight platysma (neck muscle): NOK 1200,-
Tooth grinding: NOK 3000, –
Migraine treatment: Starts at NOK 4000,- up to NOK 6000,-(deduction when you have your own Botox on prescription from Helfo (“blå resept”))
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) treatment in the armpits: NOK 4000,-
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) treatment hands (both): NOK 5000,-
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) treatment feet (both): NOK 8000,-
Correction or adjustment: from NOK 600,- (free within the first 3 weeks after a treatment)
Correction or adjustment for treatments done elsewhere: from NOK 900,-
NOTE: There may be extra charges for unusually large areas or extra powerful muscles.
Why choose ProDerma Scandinavia for your Botox wrinkle treatments?
Botulinum toxin A is actually quite safe, but a solid understanding of anatomy and how the various facial muscles move and interact with each other is of utmost importance when determining injection technique and dose. This is expertise we have through a long and rigorous medical education built on many years of experience and specialisation.
Disclaimer
The above information is given as guidance as a part of the decision-making process and is not an exhaustive description of the procedures and treatments. Information shall be up to date at the time of publishing and will be updated at our discretion. Our doctors will assess and determine your suitability before treatment. Consult The Norwegian Pharmaceutical Product Compendium (Felleskatalogen AS) for complete information about any described medicine. All rights reserved.