Botox and botulax - American original or Korean equivalent

With the growing popularity of botulinum therapy as a cosmetic procedure, more and more analogues of the most well-known botulinum toxin-based products are appearing - Botox, Xeomin, Dysport. One of these analogues is Botulax, a Korean-made drug produced using standard technology for botulinum toxin preparations. Like most relatively new similar products, it is being introduced to the market very slowly and gradually, cosmetology clinics are just taking a closer look at it and carefully including it in their arsenal, and patients trust it with their beauty, mainly on the recommendations of cosmetologists.

Nevertheless, like other analogues, Botulax has prospects of becoming one of the most popular and well-known products whose active ingredient is botulinum toxin. Perhaps only today it is a new and little-known product on the Russian market, which has few reviews on forums and has not been tested by the general public. And a year or two will pass, and this drug will be used on a par with flagship products. And therefore, it is worth considering it as an alternative that has certain advantages now.

The drug Botulax from the South Korean company Hugel Inc. on the Russian market since 2021 and is gradually gaining popularity among patients in beauty salons.

What is Botulax, how does it differ from other products containing botulinum toxin, and in what cases can it be chosen for the correction of wrinkles?

Botulax is a typical botulinum toxin preparation for intramuscular injections to correct muscle activity. In cosmetology, it is used to obtain the effect of denervation of facial muscles, which ultimately leads to immobilization of muscles and elimination of the causes of facial wrinkles. As a result, already formed wrinkles stop deepening, and subsequently, due to the elasticity of the skin, they gradually smooth out.

Such drugs are today produced by many pharmaceutical companies around the world, the most famous are produced in the USA, Ireland, Germany and China. New products are developed and produced in China, Russia, and Japan. Botulax is produced in South Korea by Hugel Inc., being an almost complete analogue of several products from other manufacturers. In Russia, the drug is distributed by the MARTINEX Group, claims are accepted by Alliance LLC.

Popular drugs similar to Botulax.

The development of this product began at Hugel Inc in 2003, at which time purified botulinum toxin, suitable for medical and cosmetic use, was obtained in the company's laboratories. In October 2005, the first successful preclinical trials of the drug were carried out; in 2007, Botulax was approved for use in the treatment of blepharospasm (in fact, this meant access to the market and the possibility of selling it for cosmetic use). After this, the company received $3 million in investments, installed the necessary equipment for the industrial production of botulinum toxin, and in 2010 began selling Botulax in Korea. Since 2015, the drug began to undergo trials in the USA, Germany, China and Poland, and in 2021 its supplies and use began in Russia.

Description of the procedure

Neurotoxin injections have been clinically proven to be harmless and effective.

Any drug consisting of botulinum toxin damages nerve impulses and blocks muscles. Long-term immobilization of fibers helps smooth out skin folds and creases caused by contractions.

Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):

Under the influence of botulinum toxin, muscles relax due to the blockade of synapses - nerve endings in contact with muscle cells. Due to this, skin tension is reduced, and therefore wrinkles are straightened.

After restoration of functionality, when new neuromuscular connections are formed, the defects return, and the habit of not frowning is preserved, because while the muscles were paralyzed, the need for obsessive movements did not arise.

Purified botulinum toxin is a natural protein produced by the pathogenic bacteria Clostridium botulinum (clostridia). This is a strong organic poison that is safe in acceptable doses; in injectable preparations the substance is stabilized and bound by auxiliary proteins

Botulinum therapy can eliminate not only visual aesthetic errors, but also pathological defects.

Indications for use:

• facial asymmetry;
• horizontal wrinkles on the forehead;
• visible folds between the eyebrows;
• “crow’s feet” around the eyes, mouth;
• drooping eyelids;
• involuntary movements of the eyelids (blepharospasm);
• painful spasms of facial muscles (hemispasm).

The procedure is also carried out to prevent static wrinkles.

Reviews of Korean Botox injections

If you carefully study the opinions of ladies about the injection technique of rejuvenation on women's forums, you will see that many ladies have a favorable attitude towards the products of the Korean company Meditoxin. Women love the effect that is achieved after just one injection procedure. Many reviews say that they managed to cope not only with wrinkles, but also with a number of other defects - looseness of the skin, sagging, even facial asymmetry.

A careful study of the opinions of the ladies reveals that there are a number of dissatisfied patients. It happens that the results do not correspond to hopes - after injection rejuvenation, additional wrinkles appear, the face becomes lifeless, turns into a persistent unnatural mask.

In the reviews, women agree on one opinion - the results of the Botox procedure often depend only on the professionalism of the cosmetologist. It’s better not to save – the desire to save money often ends in unpleasant manifestations.

To enjoy the results of administering the drug, it is recommended to carefully study the reviews about the clinic, make sure of the professionalism of the specialist, to do this, go through the forums, ask friends and acquaintances who have already used the service. If even the slightest doubt remains, it is better to refuse to visit a cosmetologist and seek the help of another specialist - the consequences can be quite disastrous.

The products of Korean cosmetic companies are distinguished by their effectiveness, safety, and long-lasting effects, but it is better not to neglect simple safety rules. Only after studying the reputation of the chosen clinic, finding out all the contraindications, go for a procedure that will allow your most secret dream to come true - to delay old age and restore youth.

About drugs

When choosing a drug for botulinum therapy, you need to take into account that the differences between are expressed in:

• production technologies;
• dosage;
• quality of cleansing;
• additional components;
• features and shelf life;
• cost.

Let's consider what is better - Botox or Botulax, how these products work and what is included in the composition.

Botox

Manufacturer: Allergan (USA). Release form: glass bottle 100 units. Validity period: 6 months.

A classic botulinum toxin preparation, widely used in cosmetology and medicine. Safe and effective. Control is carried out by the FDA (an organization that monitors the quality of food and medicine in the United States). In Russia, the product has been used since 2000.

Contains components:

• botulinum toxin type A (hemagglutinin) - blocks impulses and performs muscle relaxation;
• human serum albumin - replenishes protein deficiency and provides adequate tissue nutrition;
• sodium chloride is an auxiliary ingredient necessary for the dissolution and comfortable administration of the medications included in the drug.

Optimal storage conditions are -2°-18°C. Should be stored in the freezer at -5°C or below.

Botulax

Manufacturer: Hugel Inc. (South Korea) Release form: glass bottle 50/100 units. Validity period: 4-6 months.

A relaxant with peripheral effects, which contains a highly concentrated protein of a neurotoxic type. The substance is stabilized by auxiliary components. In Russia, the product was registered in 2021. The official distributor is Martinex.

The composition of the Korean analogue is presented:

• class A protein neurotoxin;
• whey water-soluble simple proteins;
• sodium salt of hydrochloric acid.

The diluted drug is stored for 24 hours at a temperature of 2° to 8°C, it is very sensitive to heat.

What's better

The opinions of leading cosmetologists on what is best differ. The drugs are highly effective. But at the same time, Botulax® is the newest product. Modern technologies were used to create it, which significantly reduces the likelihood of side effects. But it will not help get rid of tissue ptosis, just like Botox.

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Thus, it is impossible to say unequivocally which is better. Botox has already established itself in cosmetology and is better known. But at the same time it has little effectiveness.

Only a cosmetologist will help you choose a drug, who will carry out the necessary diagnostic measures before the procedure and determine the indications and contraindications for the use of each product.

Botox and Botulax® are widely used in cosmetology today. They allow many women to prolong the youthfulness of their skin. But it is important to know that you should not increase the number of procedures and reduce the time between them in order to obtain the best effect. This can lead to serious complications.

Efficiency comparison

Where can I buy

You can purchase the drug from the official Martinex distributor. The company also trains certified doctors in the technique of work. You can order on the website, where not only contacts are indicated, but also the address of the organization accepting complaints. You can buy Botulax by contacting company representatives by phone. Do not take risks by purchasing from other sites or retail outlets.

The price of 50 units is about 5,000 rubles, 100 units is 7,000–8,000 rubles. To avoid purchasing counterfeits, it is recommended to make a purchase only from an official distributor. A new volume has appeared on the Internet - botulax 200, but it is not listed on the Martinex website, so there is no reason to trust an untested product.

Contraindications to drugs

There are no differences in application restrictions. The procedure itself is contraindicated in the following cases:

• pregnancy, lactation period;
• cancer;
• diabetes;
• gravitational ptosis;
• neuromuscular disorders;
• myasthenic syndromes;
• hernias on the eyelids;
• autoimmune diseases;
• epilepsy;
• damage to the integrity of the skin on the face;
• exacerbation of chronic ailments.

Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):

Preparations containing botulinum toxin should be used with caution in cases of high intraocular pressure and the risk of developing glaucoma.

Botulinum therapy between the eyebrows

Botulinum toxin A injections are often given between the eyebrows to smooth out vertical lines. The skin defect appears in young people with constant work of the facial muscles. Wrinkles between the eyebrows can be removed with various medications. The number of injections is determined during an examination by a cosmetologist on an individual basis. For example, on average, the procedure requires 20 units of Botox, 50 units of Dysport. Injections are given at five key points. The results of botulinum therapy last for four months.

Rehabilitation period

Botulinum toxin preparations are usually well tolerated, so there is no need for rehabilitation after the procedure. Provided that the manipulation was carried out by an experienced specialist in compliance with sanitary standards. Most often, there are no visible manifestations on the skin and the patient immediately returns to normal life.

Slight swelling and redness may be individual characteristics of the body and appear regardless of the specific product.

To maintain the result you need within a week:

• avoid the sun;
• do not overheat or overcool;
• drink less water;
• give up alcohol;
• do not take medications;
• do not go to the sauna, solarium, swimming pool;
• minimize physical activity, including sports;
• do not affect the skin through rough intervention;
• do not massage;
• sleep on a high pillow on your back.

The effect depends on your lifestyle. Regular exercise, visiting a sauna, swimming pool, taking hormones and other medications reduce the duration of Botox's effects.

Mechanisms of action of Botox and Botulax

Age-related changes in the body primarily affect the skin. Loss of elasticity and the appearance of numerous deep wrinkles are only part of the unpleasant consequences of aging. Injection rejuvenation is an effective way to get rid of unwanted defects.

Korean Botox is a drug that affects muscle tissue. Under the influence of active components, muscle contraction becomes slower - the skin stops folding, remaining young and smooth. The nutrition of muscle tissue does not stop - metabolic processes occur as usual.

Botulax acts on the principle of Botox - it reduces the activity of muscle tissue contraction. Thanks to the provoked immobilization, the dermis smoothes out, becomes elastic, elastic. Even if wrinkles have already appeared, they stop getting deeper, and after a while they completely disappear. The drug has only recently become available to patients, but in a short time it has gained many fans.

Side effects

Unpleasant but not dangerous phenomena that occur after injections include:

• headache;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• slight increase in temperature;
• bad feeling;
• swelling, bumps, itching;
• muscle weakness;
• rapid breathing.

Serious symptoms affecting facial health and aesthetics:

• asymmetry of features;
• drooping eyelids;
• raising eyebrows;
• violation of facial expressions;
• strabismus;
• tissue infection;
• drug flows down.

These complications require correction or treatment. Some defects can be eliminated with the help of compensatory injections, which are performed a month after the main procedure. If the situation cannot be corrected with injections, measures are taken to remove Botox from the body. For this purpose, the following are prescribed: physiotherapy, massage, antibiotics and hormones.

Botulinum therapy for forehead

When we are surprised or perplexed, deep wrinkles form on the forehead. With age, they become more noticeable and cause some discomfort. They can be eliminated using intramuscular botulinum therapy.

To do this, a vitamin cocktail is injected into 4–10 points on the forehead. The number of injections depends on the depth of the wrinkles.

To avoid the stone-face effect, you should choose a qualified specialist. A cosmetologist must correctly calculate the number of injections to prevent an overdose.

Prices

Most clinics and salons work with original Botox and several cheaper analogues.

Cost of botulax in Moscow:

Botox rejuvenation price:

Plasma therapy

An injection procedure in which the patient's own platelet-rich plasma is injected under the skin. Platelets play a critical role in the processes of healing and regeneration of damaged body tissues. Plasma therefore significantly increases the effectiveness of many treatments. It can be prescribed in trichological therapy to activate hair growth. In combination with other procedures, plasma therapy works great in acne and rosacea treatment protocols, providing an excellent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. In anti-aging procedures, plasma leads to cell regeneration, renewal of collagen-elastin fibers, evens out skin tone and significantly improves its quality.

Opinion of cosmetologists

Experts note good results after Botulax injections:

Collagen stimulants

Although fillers based on hyaluronic acid also stimulate fibroblast cells to produce collagen, preparations based on calcium hydroxyapatite and polylactic acid are more powerful. These include Radiesse, Sculptra and Aesthefill. They are suitable for working with the face and neck and perfectly stimulate collagen synthesis. Typically, one or more procedures are recommended depending on the age of the patient. The drugs solve the problem of sagging skin, fine wrinkles in the face, neck and chin with a bang.