What is Botox® Made Of?

Have you noticed wrinkles on your forehead, between your brows, or around your eyes? Some facial muscles cause creases in the skin that lead to wrinkles. Botox® relaxes those muscles so your skin looks smooth and youthful. This injectable treatment helps you look refreshed and energized instead of tired or angry.

What is Botox®?

Botox® is a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes facial muscles. Botox® injections deliver tiny doses of this powerful compound to target the muscles creating your facial lines and wrinkles. The FDA approved Botox® originally to treat conditions such as eye spasms, hyperhidrosis, and migraines, but it has been approved for aesthetic uses for over twenty years. Despite being called a neurotoxin, botulinum toxin does not cause any harm to your nerves or muscles.

What is Botox® Made Of?

Botox® is made of botulinum toxin, a compound produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This neurotoxin can have harmful effects if consumed in food, but in the tiny doses contained in a Botox® injection, it only affects muscles in a small area of the face. Botox® also contains a protein that helps stabilize the neurotoxin and help it reach its destination.

Botulinum toxin targets facial nerves and stops them from releasing a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter tells muscles to contract, so in the absence of a message from the nerves, your facial muscles relax. This process has no permanent effect on your nerves and will wear off over time.

What Results Will I See After Botox®?

You may see Botox® results appear within a few days, but full results take a week or more. You will note that your lines and wrinkles become less visible. You will also notice that when you laugh, smile, or frown, the target muscles stay relaxed and no longer crease your skin. Botox® results usually last three to four months. People who have Botox® regularly may need treatment less often as their muscles stay relaxed longer.

What is the Difference Between Botox®, Xeomin®, and Dysport®?

While you have most likely heard of Botox®, you have several alternatives for wrinkle relaxation. At Specialty Aesthetic Surgery, we also offer Xeomin® and Dysport®. All three treatments use botulinum toxin to treat expression lines and wrinkles. They all last three to four months, but they do have some differences.

For example, Dysport® tends to spread out more than Botox®, making it effective for a natural look. We primarily use it to treat glabellar lines (between the brows). Xeomin® uses a “naked” version of the botulinum toxin with no accessory proteins. As a result, it can work for people who have become resistant to Botox®. Unlike Dysport® and Botox®, Xeomin® does not require refrigeration.

We will choose the right formula based on your concerns and desired results. We find it beneficial to have several options available so we can achieve an appearance as subtle or noticeable as you prefer.

What Not to Do After Botox®

Botox® injections deliver the neurotoxin into the target area, but the compound takes time to settle into place. Avoid rubbing your face or lying down for at least four hours after treatment since this could cause the botulinum toxin to spread away from the target area. Avoid strenuous exercise, hot showers, or hot tubs for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the injected Botox® will become stable and not move after this point.

How is Botox® Measured?

Providers measure and price Botox® in units. Each vial of Botox® contains either 50 or 100 units. The number of units you need depends on the treatment area and the desired results. The average adult will get 20 to 30 units in the forehead or between the brows. Crow’s feet usually require 10 to 15 units per side. You may need more or less than these amounts since each person responds differently. For example, men have heavier brow muscles than women and may need more Botox® to achieve the desired relaxation.

What is the Best Age to Get Botox®?

You should decide on getting Botox® based on when you feel ready. People previously sought Botox® to treat lines and wrinkles, often in their 40s. Today, adults of any age have Botox®. Preventative Botox®, also known as “Baby Botox®,” can start as early as your mid-20s. Many people start Botox® in their 30s when they notice their forehead or eye creases no longer disappear when their face relaxes.

Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®?

Most people make good candidates for Botox®. Ideal candidates want to target expression lines and wrinkles around the forehead, brows, and eyes. You should have reasonable expectations about what Botox® can accomplish. You should not have Botox® while pregnant or breastfeeding, and some people have medical conditions that mean they are not good candidates.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about Botox®? Schedule your consultation online or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About Our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.

Dr. Anna Frants is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Her areas of surgical specialty include the face, neck, nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears.

*Individual results may vary.