What Is Botox? Is It Dangerous? Everything You Should Know Before Getting Botox

What Is Botox?

Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, a substance derived from a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. In aesthetic medicine, once injected it has a localized muscle-relaxing effect, causing large muscles to relax and soften, reducing muscle movement, helping to soften wrinkles, slim the jaw, reshape the face, and firm the skin.

How Botox Works

When Botox is injected into a muscle, the product is gradually absorbed into the muscle cells and acts on the nerve endings, inhibiting the release of a neurotransmitter called “Acetylcholine.” The injected muscle relaxes temporarily and its activity decreases, so the overlying skin looks tighter and moves less.

Botox acts only on the muscle it is injected into and does not affect other muscles that were not injected. Over time, once the body has fully absorbed the Botox molecules, the molecules break down on their own, beginning to dissolve completely after about 4 to 6 months, after which you can have another treatment.

Is Botox Dangerous?

Botox is a safe treatment when performed by an experienced specialist doctor who has been trained by leading, accredited pharmaceutical companies, and when you follow the aftercare your doctor recommends. This helps reduce the chance of side effects and improves your results. If you want Botox but are afraid or worried it may be dangerous, perhaps from the news or negative reviews, the reality is that such incidents do not happen with an experienced, skilled doctor. In addition, the purity of the Botox and an accredited clinic help screen out any risk of harm.

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Characteristics of Safe Botox

• Botox is used to treat muscle-related medical conditions; doctors use Botox to treat conditions such as excessive hand sweating (Hyperhidrosis), migraines, and muscle spasms
• Every brand of Botox has a limited duration of action; once that period passes, the muscles in the treated area return to normal function, and the drug molecules break down and leave the body on their own
• Leading Botox brands such as Allergan, Nabota, Xeomin, Aestox, Neuronox, and Dysport are certified by regulatory authorities in Thailand and abroad, including the Thai FDA, the US FDA, and the Korean FDA, so you can be confident these brands are safe to inject on both the face and the body

Where Can Botox Be Injected? What Does It Help With?

Facial Injection Points

• Botox for wrinkles helps soften lines for firmer, smoother skin
• Botox between the brows helps smooth frown lines between the eyebrows 
• Botox for the forehead helps reduce forehead lines
• Botox for crow's feet helps reduce crow's feet and lines at the outer corners of the eyes
• Botox for the outer eye helps lift drooping outer eye corners and sagging eyelids
• Botox for the brows helps lift the eyebrows and improve the facial features
• Botox for jaw slimming helps tighten the jawline for a slimmer, more V-shaped face
• Botox face lift helps lift and tighten the facial contour for a slimmer look
• Botox for the nostrils helps reduce flared nostrils and wide nostril openings
• Botox for pore refinement helps minimize pores for clear, smooth skin

Botox Injection Points on the Arms, Legs, and Body

• Botox for the calves helps slim the thighs and calves for shapely legs
• Botox for the arms helps slim bulky upper arms for a more toned look

‍Botox Injection Points for Treating Various Conditions

• Botox for sweat reduction helps reduce sweating in the underarms, palms, and soles
• Botox for the underarms helps reduce underarm sweating and body odor
• Botox for the neck, nape, and shoulders helps relieve tension and chronic aches
• Botox for office syndrome helps relieve aches, especially in the neck, nape, and shoulders
• Botox for migraines helps treat chronic headaches
• Botox for eye twitching helps relieve eye twitching

Who Is Botox Suitable For?

• Those who want to reduce facial wrinkles, such as forehead lines, crow's feet, frown lines between the brows, and lines around the eyes
• Those who want to firm and smooth the skin on the face and neck
• Those who want to slim the jaw and give the face a more defined, contoured shape
• Those with excessive sweating in the underarms, palms, or soles
• Those who want to reshape the face without undergoing surgery
• Those who want to reduce the size of muscles in specific areas, such as the calves and arms

How Many Units Are Needed for Each Area?

• Botox for the forehead uses about 30 units
• Botox between the brows uses about 25 units
• Botox for crow's feet at the outer corners of the eyes uses about 25 units
• Botox for the nostrils uses about 25 units
• Botox for jaw slimming uses about 50-100 units
• Botox for lifting the facial contour  uses about 30-50 units
• Reducing bulky arm muscles uses about 200 units
• Botox for the underarms uses about 50-100 units
• Botox for calf slimming uses about 200 units

The amount of Botox varies from case to case depending on the concern, the patient's goals, and the doctor's assessment. For treatments using fewer than 100 units, we recommend bringing a friend to share and reach a full 100 units, so that a fresh box can be unboxed and a new vial opened, giving you full confidence that the Botox is genuine.

What Are the Dangers of Fake Botox?

Dangers or side effects from injecting fake or smuggled Botox

• No visible results after injection
• The product spreads to other muscles
• The jaw does not slim, the face does not firm, and the effect wears off quickly
• Drooping eyelids and a crooked mouth
• Developing Botox-related conditions
• Risk of allergic reactions, infection, and severe inflammation

Which Botox Brand Is Best? How Long Does Each Brand Last?

For those interested in Botox who are researching brands, ILLUM Clinic recommends the following popular Botox brands certified to Thai FDA standards, which can be safely injected across various areas of the body:

• ‍Allergen: A US-made Botox and the world's first Botox brand, used in leading clinics and hospitals worldwide. It has a narrow spread and can be safely injected into the muscle, is highly purified, and has large molecules. It works quickly and lasts about 5-6 months
• ‍Xeomin: A German-made Botox that is highly purified to German manufacturing standards. It has small molecules that spread well for natural-looking results, is popular in Europe and the US, and works well for
  those resistant to Botox. It lasts about 4-6 months
• ‍Nabota: A Korean-made Botox that works quickly with a firm, tight effect and a low chance of resistance. The product spreads quickly and over a wide area, making it well suited for larger muscle areas. It lasts about 4-6 months
• ‍Dysport: A UK-made Botox that is highly purified with very small molecules, so the product spreads well for natural-looking results. It acts quickly. It lasts about 4-6 months
• ‍Neuronox: A Korean-made Botox with purity close to that of American Botox, a low chance of resistance, a narrow spread, and precise results. It lasts about 4-6 months
• ‍Aestox: A Korean-made Botox that is highly purified with a low chance of resistance, a narrow spread, and fast action with quick results. It lasts about 4-6 months

Is Botox Expensive?

Botox starts at around 8,000-20,000 baht and up for a full vial of 100 units, depending on the brand. Besides American Botox and European Botox, there are also more affordable Korean options to choose from.

For those who have never had Botox or are getting it for the first time, many may feel that Botox is too expensive to be worth it. In reality, Botox is an affordable treatment that is safe and delivers very clear results. If you choose a good clinic with an experienced doctor, you can be assured that the results are well worth the price.

At ILLUM Clinic, we offer Botox and price promotions as follows (price graphic)

How to Prepare Before Getting Botox

1. Research information about Botox injections
2. Choose an accredited clinic and a doctor experienced in facial contouring
3. Choose only genuine Botox certified by the FDA
4. Have the doctor open a new vial and mix the Botox in front of you
5. Avoid blood-thinning medications such as NSAIDs, Ponstan, and Aspirin
6. Avoid facial scrubs 2-3 days before the injection to prevent swelling and bruising
7. If you have any underlying medical conditions, always consult your doctor first

The Botox Injection Procedure

1. Consult the doctor to assess the patient's concerns and goals, including how many units and which brand to use, or keeping the same brand if you have had Botox before
2. The doctor's assistant thoroughly cleanses the patient's face across the areas to be treated
3. Photos are taken before the procedure to compare results
4. Numbing cream is applied across the injection area and left for about 20-30 minutes to take effect (if you are not worried about discomfort, you may let us know and skip the numbing cream)
5. Once the numbing cream has taken effect, the assistant cleanses the patient's face again and adjusts the bed to a seated position
6. The doctor presents the Botox, showing the expiry date and Thai FDA certification, then opens the box and mixes the product in front of you
7. The doctor marks the injection points across the face
8. The assistant applies ice to the injection points, and the doctor injects each point until complete
9. The assistant cleanses the face and applies moisturizer and sunscreen
10. Aftercare instructions are explained to the patient for long-lasting results

Aftercare Instructions Following Botox

• For the first 4 hours after Botox, avoid lying on your side or lying flat so the product does not shift to unintended areas
• For the first 4-6 hours after Botox, avoid makeup, as it may clog the needle points
• If you have jaw Botox, we recommend chewing gum for about 10-15 minutes afterward so the injected Botox spreads fully
• Avoid exercise for 24 hours after Botox
• Avoid alcohol and vitamins such as fish oil (Fish oil), as they improve blood circulation and make bruising more noticeable and slower to heal. Alcohol and caffeine do not affect the Botox itself; they only make bruising more noticeable and slower to heal
• Avoid facial massage treatments, facial scrubs, facial spa treatments, and facial cleansing devices for about 2 weeks after the injection
• For 2 weeks after the injection, avoid exposing the face or treated area to direct heat, such as lasers or saunas, as this may keep the Botox from working at full effectiveness. However, you may eat warm food, take warm showers, and blow-dry your hair as usual

How Many Days Until You See Botox Results?

After Botox, you will start to see changes within 3-4 days, depending on the injection site. For example, with Botox for wrinkles or a Botox face-contour lift, the Botox begins to take effect 3-4 days after the injection, with clear results at 2 weeks. For jaw slimming and face contouring, it takes about 14 days, with clear results at 2-3 months.

(before-and-after illustration)

Choosing a Botox Clinic That Is Safe and Effective

• Choose an accredited clinic with a valid license where injections are performed only by doctors
• A specialist doctor experienced in Botox and holding a medical license, which you can verify by entering the doctor's first and last name on the Medical Council website to confirm they are a licensed physician
• Use only genuine Botox certified by the Thai FDA, which you can verify by the Thai-language package insert included in the Botox box
• Has reviews from real patients on trustworthy sources, where patients are satisfied with the results and the doctor's care
• The clinic provides clear details of treatment costs so patients can choose Botox that fits their budget
• The clinic should offer aftercare to follow up on results with patients for the best possible outcome

Frequently Asked Questions About Botox

Can You Get Botox in Several Areas at Once? Is It Dangerous?

Yes, you can get Botox in several areas at once, and it is not dangerous, but the total should not exceed 300 units per session.

Does Botox Hurt?

The level of discomfort depends on each person's skin sensitivity, and the product may cause a slight stinging sensation. At ILLUM Clinic we use very fine needles, and most patients describe only mild discomfort, with some choosing not to use numbing cream at all.

When Botox Starts to Wear Off, Should You Wait Until It Is 100% Gone Before Getting It Again?

If the results fade and wrinkles begin to return, you can have another treatment, but not too frequently. You should leave at least 3 months between sessions to prevent developing Botox resistance.

At What Age Can You Start Getting Botox?

Botox can be started from age 25 onward. Getting Botox at a younger age can help prevent wrinkles in the future, but it should be done in appropriate amounts, with at least 3 months between sessions, and ideally with the same brand to prevent developing Botox resistance.

How Are Botox and Filler Different?

Botox and filler work differently but share a similar result: both help soften wrinkles. In summary:

Botox is a substance derived from a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. Once injected, it has a localized muscle-relaxing effect, causing large muscles to relax and soften and reducing muscle movement, which helps soften wrinkles, slim the jaw, reshape the face, and firm the skin.

Filler is a volumizing substance made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It is commonly injected into the face to restore volume, such as the lips, under-eyes, temples, nasolabial folds, facial lifting, hollow cheeks, chin, and forehead, to fill in deep creases across various areas

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Summary: Why Is Botox So Popular?

Botox is a wrinkle-reduction treatment that is extremely popular in Thailand. Its benefits include softening wrinkles and refining pores naturally, fast results, and no surgery. It is well suited for those who want to reshape the face, slim the jaw, soften wrinkles, and address various facial concerns for greater confidence.

If you are interested in Botox for wrinkles, a Botox face-contour lift, or jaw Botox, you can get a free consultation and facial assessment at ILLUM Clinic, which provides Botox treatments by an experienced medical team using genuine Botox certified by the Thai FDA. ILLUM Clinic is ready to care for and advise patients via LINE 24 hours a day. Click to book your consultation now.

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