Botox
Mimic wrinkels
Botulinum is a safe method that has been used in aesthetic dermatology since the 1990s to relax facial wrinkles and treat excessive sweating, especially in the armpits.
Botulinum is a natural protein that is produced by special bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) and obtained from these bacterial cultures. In humans, this protein temporarily prevents the transmission of the messenger substance acetylcholine from the nerve to the muscle or to the sweat gland. The muscle no longer receives the information to contract and the sweat gland no longer receives a signal to produce sweat. This causes a relaxation of the facial muscles and leads to a relaxation of the facial wrinkles or, in the case of the sweat glands, to a significant reduction in perspiration. This is a reversible process, because the protein is completely broken down by the body after a few months. The effect lasts for approx. 3-4 months on mimic wrinkles, and even up to 9 months on the sweat glands.
- Frown lines
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet (wrinkles on the side of the eyes)
- Bunny lines (wrinkles on the bridge of the nose)
- Marionette lines (negative corners of the mouth)
- Cobblestone chin (uneven appearance of the chin)
- Platysma strands (vertical neck lines)
- Axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating in the armpits)
- migraines (attack-like headaches)
- Bruxism (grinding of teeth)
- Dominant masticatory muscle (M. masseter)
- Pregnancy and breast feeding period
- Local infection at the injection points
- Therapy with aminoglycoside antibiotics or spectinomycin and muscle relaxants
- Neuromuscular diseases (e.g. myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton-Rooke syndrome)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig syndrome)
After thorough disinfection of the treatment area, punctures are made with a very fine needle and tiny amounts of the substance are injected into the skin and muscles. Depending on the location, the injections are more or less noticeable, similar to acupuncture. At the injection sites there may be slight swellings, comparable to a mosquito bite, which last for up to 1 hour. Tiny bruises rarely appear after the treatment.
In general, it is a very well tolerated and effective treatment method. Nevertheless, undesirable side effects rarely occur, which, like the intended effect, recede completely. Temporary headache is by far the most common side effect. On the other hand, there are many patients whose chronic headaches or migraines get better after a botulinum treatment.
In the first hours after the treatment, the active ingredient botulinum diffuses from each injection point and binds to the corresponding, closest nerve endings.
The following rule applies in the first 24 hours after the procedure: don’t apply any pressure on the treated areas, for example during a cosmetic treatment or a massage (forehead support), we also recommend not to wear a headband or helmet, etc., sport or other physical exertions should also be postponed by 24 hours.
After about 4 hours, make up or skincare can be reapplied, the face can also be carefully cleaned.
The onset of the botulinum effect is often observed after 1-2 days. The maximum effect will be visible after about 14 days. Until then, it is very likely that certain “irregularities” or minor “side differences”, will even out by themselves. Therefore, a check-up and possible follow-up treatment only makes sense after 2 weeks.
Dr Gieres is happy to answer any further questions regarding the treatment during a private consultation.
Hyperhidrosis – excessive Sweating
Sweating is a physiological and necessary process, it helps to thermoregulate the human body. Humans have up to 2 million sweat glands on their bodies. These are mainly found on the forehead, armpits, hands and feet. Sweat is actually odorless, the smell only arises through bacterial colonization.
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be psychologically very stressful and stigmatizing, patients are ashamed of sweat stains, some even always have a second shirt with them to change during the day.
Secondary hyperhidrosis, i.e. excessive sweating due to an existing illness, has always to be ruled out prior to treatment. In this case the underlying disease must be treated by the respective specialist.
In primary hyperhidrosis, sweating can be treated directly.
Basically, if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, you should avoid too much coffee, tea or alcohol, as these stimulants worsen the condition. Furthermore, synthetic clothing should be avoided and cotton underwear and socks should be worn.
The drug therapy includes deodorants with aluminum chloride and botulinum.
Aluminum chloride clogs the ducts of the sweat glands, initially it is used daily on the armpits, hands or feet, in the course the application is reduced to every 3-4 days.
Therapy with botulinum is very popular as a therapy for hyperhidrosis because it lasts for up to 6 months and reduces sweating up to almost 100%. The therapy is low in pain as it takes place with prior application of an anesthetic cream. The effect starts after 1 week and is based on preventing the production of sweat.
Sweat production is an important protective function of the body. But just under two percent of the sweat glands are under the armpits.
Dry armpits do not prevent the patient from producing sufficient amounts of sweat secretion. The process is restricted only to the treated areas and not to the entire body. The body can still cool itself down if too much heat builds up in it.
Dr Gieres is happy to answer any further questions regarding the procedure during a private consultation.