You probably heard about Botox ™ from a social media ad, news or your friends. It is by far is the most common cosmetic procedure done in Egypt and worldwide every year since more than two decades. The quick effect of the toxin on wrinkles removal and the high safety profile with minimal side effects is what makes it really popular among people.
Botox™ is a brand name of a drug where the active ingredient is botulinum toxin produced by some kind of bacteria mainly causes temporary muscle weakness and paralysis which helps soften the dynamic wrinkles in the areas injected.
There are many other brands widely available in Egypt. Dysport, Xeomin, Neuronox, Bocouture and Refinex all are exported from different manufacturers.
How Botox work?
Botulinum toxin cause temporary paralysis and weakness in muscles which helps to soften the dynamic wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. Thus Botox has earned its place as the go-to solution for smooth, youthful skin, making it the ultimate favorite in anti-wrinkle treatments
It also works on sweat gland by an unknown mechanism to minimize sweating from some areas suffering from excessive sweating (for those suffering from Hyperhidrosis)
What is Botox used for?
Cosmetic Botox injections are used to address signs of aging by reducing the occurrence of static wrinkles, creating smoother and more youthful skin in the following areas;
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet wrinkles (fine wrinkles formed around the outer corner of the eye)
- Frown lines (also known as 111 in Egypt)
- Nose wrinkles (bunny lines)
- Vertical neck lines
- Gummy smile
It is used also therapeutically for the following reasons
- Excessive sweating (underarms, hands and feet)
- Chronic migraine headaches
- Teeth Grinding (teeth clenching)
Many patients use Botox for a non-surgical forehead lift, eyebrow lift or even a minimal eyelid lift.
Botox Injection Sites in the face
Am I a candidate for Botox ?
Everyone is a good candidate for this procedure, except if he/she is
- Allergic to Botox or any similar brand
- They have a currently active skin infection
- Undergone a recent facial surgery
- You have weakness in forehead muscles already
- If you have a neurological-muscular condition
- If you are pregnant or lactating
The injection procedure steps
A very simple procedure, that takes less than 5 minutes.
- we use a local anesthetic cream to numb the desired area of injection.
- Mark our injection points in the areas to be treated.
- We use the world’s smallest needle (THE INVISIBLE NEEDLE™) to deliver a near painless procedure with minimal bleeding and a better overall experience.
- We inject the Botox as marked.
Temporary Small bumps may be seen at injection sites that usually disappear within 15-20 minutes.
What not to do after Botox injection
- Do not rub or massage the area injected for 5 hours.
- Avoid leaning or bending forward for 5 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol in the first day of injection.
- Avoid strenuous activity in the first 24 hours
How much does Botox cost in Egypt?
The price for toxin injection is around 7500 EGP ($150 USD) per 100 units vial, However, the cost varies depending on the areas requiring injection, the number of units to be injected per area, the toxin brand used and the doctor’s experience. In our practice Dr Mohamed Ashraf use the best botulinum toxin brands licensed for use by the Egyptian drug authority and FDA.
How long does Botox take to work for wrinkles?
Results for Botox™ aren’t right away, it is expected to take effect from 4-5 days and around 14 days to see full effects after the procedure.
How Long does botox Last?
From 3-6 months. It varies from one person to another, area injected and the dose injected. However it has been noticed that Botox effect usually last longer in women than in men.
Do men get Botox?
Yes, botulinum toxin treatments for men are trending, and at least 40% of our treatments are for male clients.
Can we do facial fillers in the same setting?
Yes, we can certainly perform both treatments in the same session; however, Dr. Mohamed Ashraf will never apply Botox and fillers to the same facial area during a single session
Botox vs surgical endoscopic forehead lift?
Botox is a minimally invasive procedure that takes only about 5 minutes, requires almost no downtime, and lasts 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. In contrast, an endoscopic forehead lift is a surgical procedure involving incisions and scarring, has a higher cost than Botox, and requires a recovery period of 2 to 3 weeks.