In the micro-plastic surgery project, which is the main user of botulinum toxin injection, different plastic surgery types adopt different methods, and their side effects are also different. Simply speaking of botulinum toxin, the side effects are not small. Below we Let’s take a look!

What is botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin, also known as botulinum endotoxin, is a bacterial endotoxin secreted by the deadly botulinum bacilli and is highly toxic. Botulinum toxin acts on the cholinergic motor nerve endings, antagonizing the action of calcium ions in a certain way, interfering with the release of acetylcholine from the motor nerve endings, preventing muscle fibers from contracting and causing muscle relaxation to achieve the purpose of wrinkle removal and beauty. The more toxic it is, the more toxic it is. , the better the wrinkle removal and beauty effect.

The functions of Botox 1. Remove facial wrinkles

1) Glabella lines

Glabella lines convey a negative emotion such as anger and sadness. , depression, etc. The wrinkle muscles involved in the formation of glabellar lines include the corrugator supercilii muscle (which can focus the eyebrows inward) and the proximal brow muscle (which can pull the eyebrows downward). The common dose of botulinum toxin injection to treat glabellar lines in women is 20 units; for men with horizontal eyebrows, 20-35 units are needed; if the muscle mass is relatively large, the dosage can be increased to 35-50 units per point, which can numb The above two groups of muscles.

A possible complication is ptosis, which is caused by the injected toxin dispersing and paralyzing the levator palpebrae superioris muscle through the orbital septum. It usually appears 7-10 days after the injection and manifests as drooping of the upper eyelids, blocking the upper part of the iris. It usually lasts for 2-4 weeks and can resolve on its own. Complications of ptosis can be corrected with medical treatment.

2) Frontal striations

Frontal striations are caused by the contraction of the frontalis muscle. Treatment uses a small-volume-multiple-point approach. The total amount of botulinum toxin injected into the lighter forehead lines is 25-50 units; the total amount of botulinum toxin injected into the severe forehead lines is 30-60 units.

Since the frontalis muscle has many roles, complete paralysis of the frontalis muscle can cause ptosis of the eyebrows and upper eyelids. In addition, the frontalis muscle plays an important role in facial expressions, and facial expressions may disappear, commonly known as mask face. In severe cases, the soft tissue in the eyebrow area also droops, and may even block the eyes. It usually recovers naturally after 3-4 months.

3) Crow's feet

Crow's feet radiate outward from the corners of the eyes, perpendicular to the direction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The formation of crow's feet is not only related to the contraction of the outer fibers of the orbicularis oculi muscle, but also sun aging. The purpose of treatment is to weaken the strength of the above muscles without completely paralyzing them. Generally, low-dose intradermal injection is used, with a total amount of 15-30 units.

Complications include lower eyelid laxity or protruding eye bags, and temporary outer lower eyelid ptosis. If the muscle paralysis lasts for too long, it can lead to corneal exposure, dry eyes, superficial punctate corneal keratosis, and even cornea. ulcer.

4) Perioral wrinkles

As we age, wrinkles begin to appear around the mouth. This process involves both exogenous and endogenous factors, including the reabsorption and loss of hard tissues (bones and teeth) and soft tissues (fat and collagen), as well as muscle movement. Botox can relieve wrinkles by paralyzing or relaxing these muscles. Relaxation of the orbicularis oris muscle can make the lip shape slightly fuller. Generally, small-dose injections are used, and the total amount commonly used is less than 10 units.

5) Neck lines

The platysma muscle is closely related to the chin, face and SMAS fascial system. Neck lines become more obvious when you move your neck, such as talking, smiling, and turning your head. The formation of neck lines is related to the continuous contraction of the platysma muscle. In addition, skin laxity and sun aging are also involved in its formation. The total injection volume for neck lines is 20-40 units, and some are 60-75 units, or even 200 units. But the higher the dose, the higher the chance of complications.

Wrinkles can also be divided into expandable lines and non-expandable lines according to the state of the skin when stretched. Expandable lines can disappear when the skin is stretched, which is an indication for injection fillers. Therefore, the combination of botulinum toxin injection and filler injection and various other wrinkle removal methods can achieve more ideal results in treating facial wrinkles.

2. Face slimming

Masseter muscle hypertrophy can lead to a wide face, such as a square face. Masseter muscle hypertrophy was difficult to treat in the past, with greater trauma and risks. Botulinum toxin provides a new, safe and effective way to slim down the face. The commonly used injection dose of botulinum toxin type A for face slimming is 30-50 units per side. A possible complication is facial nerve paralysis.

3. Treatment of raised, drooped or asymmetric eyebrows

Eyebrows are movable structures. The frontalis muscle is responsible for raising the eyebrows, and the depressor muscles are responsible for lowering the eyebrows (eyebrows are movable). Orbicularis, superficial corrugator supercilii, and procerus muscles), the shape of the eyebrows can be adjusted by injection of botulinum toxin. Single injection to treat glabellar lines can cause the middle and outer parts of the eyebrows to be slightly raised; injecting 3-5 units of botulinum toxin type A into the upper side of the eyebrows where they fuse with the temporal bone can weaken the effect of the procerus muscle. Lift the ends of your eyebrows a little higher.

Risks and complications 1. Many of the complications of botulinum toxin are temporary. Common complications after facial rhytidectomy include unnatural expression, photophobia, tearing, local swelling, ecchymosis, Numbness at the injection site, headache, forehead tightness, deepening of wrinkles in adjacent areas, changes in eyebrow shape, ptosis, brow ptosis, mild ectropion, exposure keratitis, blurred vision, allergic reactions, etc. These reactions often occur 3-5 days after treatment and generally subside within 2-4 weeks. 2. Common adverse reactions of botulinum toxin injection in the lower face are mostly paralysis of local muscle groups, such as the muscles that move the lips, which are manifested as asymmetric facial smiles, weakness of the orbicularis oris muscle, swallowing, talking, smoking, whistling or playing music Limitation of movements such as musical instruments, involuntary tongue biting, abnormal lip sensation, loss of filtering function of lips, drooling when speaking, inability to purse lips, etc. 3. When botulinum toxin treatment is performed on the neck, common complications are difficulty swallowing and the inability to move the neck freely. Treatment course and recovery time

The effects of one Botulinum Toxin injection last for about 3-6 months. To maintain the effect, injections can be repeated. However, there should be an interval of 3-6 months between the two times, and the interval should not be less than one month to avoid permanent muscle paralysis.

Botulinum toxin injection treatment may be accompanied by a certain degree of pain. Those with severe pain may take a day off. Generally, it has little impact on normal work and life, and the postoperative reaction disappears in about a week.