Botox injections use a toxin called onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily prevent muscles from moving. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning.
Botox was the first drug to use botulinum toxin. Other botulinum toxin type include abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin). Each is slightly different, particularly regarding dosage units, so they aren’t interchangeable.
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What is Botox?
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, sometimes referred to by patients as “Botox,” is a widely used cosmetic injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial wrinkles. This minimally invasive procedure utilises a type of toxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The areas most commonly treated include frown lines, forehead creases, and crow’s feet near the eyes.
Botox is also one of the common facial treatments in Singapore, often grouped with other aesthetic services such as acne scar treatments and skin rejuvenating treatments, catering to a broad range of skincare needs.
What is Botox made of?
Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It’s the same botulinum toxin type that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism. Many people often ask, “Is Botox safe?” The answer is yes; Botox is FDA-approved and considered safe when administered by a qualified healthcare professional. It is widely used for both medical and cosmetic purposes.
How Does Botox Work?
Neurotoxins like Botox injections disrupt nerve signals that stimulate specific muscle contraction. This temporarily paralyses the facial muscles so they cannot contract, causing wrinkles to soften and relax. The treatment works best on forehead lines, crow’s feet, skin folds, and frown lines. By relaxing these targeted muscles, Botox helps to smooth out existing lines and wrinkles, enhancing the skin’s appearance and preventing the formation of new lines from muscle movement.
What Areas Can Botox Treat?
Botox is commonly used to treat several areas of the face to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. The most popular areas include:
- Forehead: Botox can soften horizontal lines that form across the forehead due to repetitive facial expressions.
- Outer Eye Corners: Commonly known as crow’s feet, these fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes can be smoothed out.
- Between Eyebrows: Vertical lines, known as frown lines, can create a stern look and are often treated with Botox.
In addition to the common treatment areas for facial wrinkles, Botox is also effective on other parts of the face and neck:
- Upper Lip: A “lip flip” subtly enhances the upper lip’s appearance for a fuller look without fillers.
- Nose Sides: Bunny lines, which appear when sniffing or scrunching the face, can be softened with Botox.
- Chin: Botox can improve the appearance of a dimpled or orange-peel texture by relaxing the mentalis muscle.
- Neck: Vertical platysmal bands on the neck can be treated with Botox for a smoother neckline.
- Undereye: While delicate, small amounts of Botox can be used carefully to reduce fine lines under the eyes, requiring skilled application.
Additionally, Botox has shown potential in treating acne scars by relaxing surrounding skin tissue, which may help reduce the prominence of scarred areas and improve skin texture.
Conditions Treated by Botox
Botox can be used to treat a number of conditions, including:
- Eyelid spasm (blepharospasm)
- Involuntary blinking or squinting
- Excessive sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis)
- Migraine headaches
- Muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders (cervical dystonia)
- Overactive bladder
- Strabismus (lazy eye)
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
How Much Does Botox Cost?
In Singapore, the first method of Botox pricing is charging by “areas”. Each “area” of Botox can range from $200 – $1800.
Cost by Area
| BOTOX (BY AREA) | UNITS | COST Range |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead lines (horizontal lines) | 8 – 25 units | $200 – $700 |
| Glabellar lines (frown lines) | 8 – 20 units | $150 – $600 |
| Crow’s feet lines (lines beside eyes) | 8 – 20 units | $150 – $600 |
| Bunny lines (nose wrinkles) | 4 – 10 units | $100 – $500 |
| Gummy smile | 4 – 8 units | $150 – $500 |
| Downturned lips (sad looking lips) | 4 – 8 units | $150 – $500 |
| Chin dimpling | 4 – 8 units | $100 – $500 |
| Jaw botox (for face slimming) | 40 – 80 units | $400 – $1700 |
Different muscle groups are responsible for different wrinkles on your face.
Some clinics offer “upper face” or “lower face” Botox treatment packages.
If you have many areas that require Botox, these packages can be a good value for money.
Cost by Units
Many clinics in Singapore charge based on the number of units used. The price differs based on the brand of botulinum toxin used.
- Botox price in Singapore: $15- 25/ unit
- Xeomin price in Singapore: $15- 20/ unit
- Dysport price in Singapore: $12- 20/unit
Why is there a difference in Botox costs / prices?
Three important factors affect the cost of your Botox treatment:
1. Different brands are priced differently
There are currently only 3 HSA-approved Botox brands used by aesthetic clinics in Singapore: Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.
All three brands are generally similar in what they do and how long they last.
- Xeomin is slightly cheaper than Botox in Singapore
- Dysport is cheaper than Xeomin and Botox in Singapore
- Dysport tends to show its effects faster than Xeomin and Botox Singapore
- Efficacy wise, Xeomin and Botox are similar units, whereas 2 to 2.5 Dysport units are equivalent to a single Botox unit
2. The number of units used affects prices.
- Areas that require more units are generally more expensive. Jaw Botox for jawline slimming costs the most because it requires the most Botox units. Botulinum toxin medical aesthetic treatments for forehead lines, frown lines, deep lines, and facial wrinkles do not require as much dosage of botulinum toxin.
- The number of units required for each treatment area also varies between individuals. For example, the jaw masseter muscles of Person A may require only 24 units, whereas the same muscles in Person B may require 40 units.
Your doctor’s proper consultation, assessment, and tailored treatment plan are more important than the number of units actually given.
3. Doctor’s experience affects costs.
Your doctor’s expertise matters with botulinum toxin injections.
A proper understanding of medical anatomy is crucial for safety and natural-looking results.
Experienced doctors tend to charge higher for their Botox treatments.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The effects of a Botox treatment typically last between 3 to 6 months, providing temporary yet significant enhancement to facial features. The duration of Botox’s effectiveness can vary based on several factors. One factor is the area treated; for instance, dynamic regions of the face, like the forehead, often see quicker effects due to constant muscle movement, necessitating more frequent touch-ups compared to less active areas.
The dosage administered is also critical, as higher doses may result in longer-lasting effects. Furthermore, individual metabolism can impact longevity; those with faster metabolic rates may process the botulinum toxin more rapidly, shortening its lifespan. Therefore, personal characteristics and the skilful determination of appropriate treatment approaches by a qualified aesthetic practitioner will influence how long a patient can expect to enjoy the results of Botox injections.
Benefits of Botox
List the benefits of Botox for both cosmetic use and medical
Cosmetic Benefits
- Smooth wrinkles and fine lines: Botox effectively diminishes the appearance of existing wrinkles and fine lines, providing a smoother and more youthful complexion.
- Non-surgical with minimal downtime: As a non-invasive procedure, Botox injections require no surgical intervention and involve little to no recovery time, allowing patients to resume daily activities swiftly.
- Prevents new wrinkles: By temporarily relaxing facial muscles, Botox not only treats existing wrinkles but also prevents the formation of new lines as a proactive anti-ageing measure.
Medical Benefits
- Alleviates chronic migraines: Botox has been proven to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, offering relief for those suffering from chronic headaches.
- Reduces excessive sweating: Also known as hyperhidrosis treatment, Botox can significantly decrease abnormal sweating, providing comfort and confidence in various social and professional settings.
- Treats muscle spasms and bladder issues: Botox offers therapeutic effects by treating muscle spasms, such as those associated with cervical dystonia, managing overactive bladder conditions, and improving the overall quality of life.
Side Effects and Risks of Botox
Botox cosmetic treatments are relatively safe when performed by an experienced doctor. Possible side effects and complications include:
- Mild pain or bruising at the injection site
- Headache or flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
- Crooked smile or drooling
- Eye dryness or excessive tearing
Although it is very unlikely, it is possible for the botulinum toxin in the injection to spread in your body. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects hours to weeks after receiving Botox:
- Muscle weakness or numbness
- Vision problems
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Urinary incontinence
Doctors generally recommend against using Botox when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. And Botox should not be used in people who are allergic to cow’s milk protein.
Does Botox hurt?
There is no excessive pain associated with Botox injections. You may feel some stinging at the injection site, but an anaesthetic cream or ice pack can numb the area.
Who is Suitable for Botox?
Botox suits those with dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes and those who suffer from excessive sweating under the arms. Those with migraines, muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, overactive bladder, lazy eye, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) may also find relief with Botox treatments.
Botox is most effective on people aged 30 and above, as dynamic wrinkles tend to form around this age. However, Botox has no upper age limit – as long as you are in good general health, you can undergo Botox treatment.
Who should not get a Botox injection?
Your body health needs to be in good condition and at least 18 years old before you can get Botox cosmetic injections.
Some people should not get Botox treatments. These include those who:
- have a neuromuscular disease (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis)
- are pregnant or nursing
- have weakness in certain facial muscle
- have ptosis (droopy eyelids), deep facial scars, or uneven facial features (when features are not the same on both sides of the face)
- have skin problems near the treated area
How often can I get Botox?
You should repeat your botulinum toxin treatment every 4 to 6 months.
Conclusion
When experienced clinicians perform the treatment, Botox is a minimally invasive solution and safe for cosmetic reasons. It does not result in adverse side effects, according to clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies. Side effects are mainly minor and rarely occur in most clients.
In addition, we do not recommend Botox for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with certain health conditions or who are taking any medications should discuss with a doctor or healthcare provider whether the treatments are safe for them.
Furthermore, the potential use of Botox in acne scar treatments is being explored, highlighting its versatility beyond traditional cosmetic applications.
You must ensure that the clinic you are looking into has a qualified doctor administering the treatment, prescribing information regarding the client’s overall health, and a professional with in-depth anatomical knowledge, which is an even safer choice.
When experienced clinicians perform the treatment, Botox is a minimally invasive solution and safe for cosmetic reasons.
