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The popularity of botulinum toxin injection has grown rapidly since the 1990s, and it is now one of the most commonly administered procedures in the world. Apart from aesthetic reasons, botulinum toxin may be used for the treatment of scars, excess perspiration in the hands and underarms and muscle contractures. Botulinum toxin treatments are effective, safe and reliable and deliver a high degree of satisfaction to individuals.
Botulinum toxin was discovered in the 19th century by a German physician, Justinus Kerner, who described botulinum toxin as a poison derived from improperly prepared meat and sausages. The toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium and was observed to cause paralysis in affected individuals. The first therapeutic use for botulinum toxin was reported in 1987, where it was used for treatment of eyelid and facial spasm. The physicians accidentally discovered that the frown lines in these patients improved as well, and started using them for aesthetic indications in the 1990s.
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium and exists in several subtypes. Botulinum toxin type A is the one commonly used for aesthetic purposes. It functions as a neurotoxin and prevents transmission of nerve impulses from the nerve to the muscle, therefore causing muscle paralysis.
When administered in an appropriate dose and manner, botulinum toxin administration will cause partial paralysis of the muscles that cause wrinkles, and create a natural-looking result that erases the wrinkles while retaining the individual’s emotional expressivity.
We frequently see or hear of people who look unnatural following aesthetic treatments. This is often due to practitioners who attempt to reverse all the signs of aging by using botulinum toxin alone, resulting in stiff and unnatural results. Botulinum toxin effaces wrinkles by partial weakening of the frontalis muscle but does not reverse skin and muscle laxity or fat atrophy. Attaining bespoke and attractive results that retain an individual’s expressivity is frequently possible and requires accurate assessment, appropriate product choice, precise administration by an experienced practitioner.
Delivering effective and safe treatments are the cornerstones of our philosophy at Picasso Plastic Surgery. The clinic uses only products obtained from licensed distributors.
Individuals with minimal skin laxity respond best to botulinum toxin injection. Individuals are with the following conditions: previous allergic reactions to botulinum toxin, neuromuscular disorders (e.g. myasthenia gravis), intention to get pregnant or breastfeed and treatment with medications require assessment before proceeding with treatment.
There are three main toxins available in Singapore – onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox®, Allergan), abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport®, Ipsen), and incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin®, Merz). Each product has its own unique characteristics. The choice of the botulinum toxin used is based on the most appropriate product suited to achieve the expected result and the individual’s treatment expectations.
An experienced practitioner customizes the dose and dilution of the toxin to achieve the desired effect in different parts of the face and in different individuals. Botulinum toxin is administered using very fine needles to minimize pain and bleeding from treatment.
Dr Yeo is an experienced botulinum toxin and filler injector and is a trainer for several botulinum toxin and filler product lines. He frequently delivers lectures and conducts workshops on effective and safe filler administration in the Asia Pacific region. Injection site pain is significantly reduced with the use of a proprietary pain distraction device at Picasso Plastic Surgery.
The following areas may be treated with high degree of satisfaction:
The effects of botulinum toxin generally take 1 to 3 days to be observed and will last between 4 to 6 months. The effect of botulinum toxin is not permanent, and it will be necessary to receive repeat injections for maintenance of effect.
Individuals are advised to avoid vigorous massage to the treatment area for 2 hours following the injection, to prevent spread of the botulinum toxin resulting in potential unintended adjacent muscle paralysis. Individuals may resume their usual activities immediately following the procedure.
