Botox in nasolabial folds: photos before and after injections, what the possible result is, how many units are needed to correct wrinkles, advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

What is Botox

Botox is a drug based on purified botulinum toxin, used to limit the motor activity of the subcutaneous muscles and, as a result, temporarily eliminate facial wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin type A is a natural substance produced by one of the types of anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, the causative agent of botulism, an acute food poisoning that can lead to death from paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Thanks to the relaxing effect of botulinum toxin on muscles, therapeutic doses of this substance began to be used in medicine to treat neurological diseases and spastic disorders, and in cosmetology to get rid of wrinkles. The administered doses of the drug are considered completely safe for health - blood circulation in the muscles is maintained and sensitivity is gradually restored.

Today, minimally invasive Botox injections have become a worthy alternative to plastic surgery.

Video: botulinum toxin injections in cosmetology

Other correction methods

If botulinum toxin has no equal for getting rid of wrinkles in the upper part of the face, then for nasolabial folds experts recommend considering other options. Violation of the quality of life in the form of distortion of speech, facial expressions, problems with eating, as well as a number of side effects - require a search for other ways to get rid of wrinkles.

Aesthetic medicine methods:

A thread facelift is usually combined with filler injections. Gives good results. It is low-traumatic and has a short recovery period. Indicated for ages 35 to 45, the effect lasts from 2 to 10 years depending on the material used.
Fat grafting – the patient’s own fat is used to fill the nasolabial folds. The sample is taken from the areas of the abdomen or thighs, and then goes through the stages of cleaning and processing. A complex and expensive procedure is usually used for facelifts. The result lasts up to 3 years.
Contour plastic surgery involves the use of fillers based on hyaluronic acid or denser substances. It is characterized by the absence of side effects and allergic reactions. The effect lasts about a year and requires repeated injections.
Hardware lifting is used for shallow facial folds. To get rid of age wrinkles, it is used together with fillers. Periodic repetition of the course is required to maintain results.
Surgical lifting - smoothing of nasolabial folds occurs due to face lifting during surgery. Used to solve a number of age-related problems, it is inappropriate to use only to correct one area.

Indications

For several decades, Botox preparations have been used in cosmetology to eliminate facial defects of the skin, and in the area of the nasolabial triangle - to correct folds and creases running from the wings of the nose to the corners of the lips.

Botox injections will be most effective at the age of 30–40 years, when the facial muscles have not yet lost their tone, and facial wrinkles are already making themselves felt. Although there is also an opinion: the sooner you start injecting Botox to prevent wrinkles, the longer you will be able to delay the visible signs of creeping old age.

Contraindications

Despite the generally accepted safety of small doses of the drug, Botox is still an injectable neurotoxic substance, and therefore has a number of contraindications:

chronic forms of liver, kidney, endocrine and pulmonary diseases in the acute stage;
high degree of myopia (myopia);
poor blood clotting;
oncological diseases;
myasthenia gravis - muscle weakness;
age-related atony;
taking medications that enhance the effect of the toxin (antibiotics, anticoagulants);
tendency to form keloid scars;
individual intolerance (history of allergic reactions to proteins);
acute infectious or viral diseases, including herpes in the acute stage;
inflammatory processes on the skin (acne) and open wounds, ulcers;
moles, nevi and papillomas in the injection area;
increased body temperature;
recent surgery in the area of intended intervention;
pregnancy and breastfeeding;
menstruation (due to risk of bleeding).

Age is not a serious contraindication for Botox injection therapy, however, up to 20 years of age, the procedure is still irrelevant due to the absence of any serious indications, and after 60 years of age it no longer makes sense due to sagging skin, which makes Botox ineffective

Causes of nasolabial wrinkles

Among the general factors that provoke negative changes in the quality of the skin, including those that contribute to the formation of nasolabial folds, there are well-known and common ones:

bad habits;
constant stress and neuroses;
avitaminosis;
lack of sleep;
the predominance of salty, smoked, fried, fatty foods in the menu;
drinking poor quality water;
influence of unfavorable environmental climatic factors on the skin;
lack of proper skin care according to age;
sudden weight loss.

Factors that have a local effect on the appearance of nasolabial wrinkles include:

emotionality combined with pronounced facial expressions;
malocclusion - displacement of one jaw relative to its “sister” can provoke the appearance of nasolabial folds and folds;
deformation of the skull as a result of a birth injury.

Botox injections into the area of the zygomatic muscles are designed to relieve spasm - one of the many causes of the formation of nasolabial defects

Sometimes, for a thorough victory over nasolabial folds, a set of measures is required, including facial gymnastics, procedures for moisturizing and restoring skin tone, additional injections of hyaluronic acid, treatment by an orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon, correction of diet and lifestyle in general, but despite this, Botox can provide all possible assistance in the fight against this cosmetic defect.

The effect of Botox injections into nasolabial folds

The result obtained from the effects of botulinum toxin is achieved through muscle relaxation - muscle relaxation - due to blocking the motor function of the nerves. In this case, the muscle and nerve fibers are not damaged - only their connection is temporarily disrupted, so the impulse transmitted by the brain does not reach the muscle, and the skin does not shrink.

Daily muscle contractions provoke the formation of creases and facial wrinkles on the skin, but Botox can stop this process by temporarily paralyzing the muscle

Speaking about the effectiveness and expediency of Botox in the nasolabial area, one should distinguish between facial wrinkles and age-related wrinkles: if the former can occur at a young age and are shallow creases in the skin that arise due to muscle hypertonicity, then the latter appear with age, as they age, when dehydrated skin, losing its fat layer, tone and elasticity, obeying the force of gravity, begins to slide down, like the wax of a burning candle. This is a complex process that follows a domino principle: sagging skin of the upper part of the face puts pressure on all weakened tissues and provokes further inevitable gravitational ptosis.

With age, atrophic processes occur in the bones, the layer of subcutaneous fat thins, muscle tone weakens, and the skin sags, forming unattractive folds - in such cases, Botox is ineffective and can lead to aggravation of the situation

Botox is designed to block the muscle for a short time and, as a result, ensure the disappearance of facial wrinkles. Only in this case will injection of the drug into the nasolabial triangle area bring the desired effect. If wrinkles are of an age-related nature, then it is preferable to supplement therapy with injections of hyaluronic acid fillers, which can fill the missing tissue volume.

Botox injections in the nasolabial area are inferior to fillers, because if the dose or point of impact is incorrectly selected, they can create a tightness effect, negatively affect facial expressions and the naturalness of a smile, turn it into a grin or make it forced, cause the appearance of new wrinkles, facial asymmetry or drooping tissue. Although negative changes are reversible, for the lower part of the face it is preferable to use hyaluronic acid, which, unlike Botox, has a rejuvenating effect and changes the very quality of the skin.

The effect after the procedure does not occur immediately and depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Most often, facial wrinkles are smoothed out a week or two after the injection - during this time the drug is completely distributed in the tissues. On average, the result lasts from 4 months to a year. After which the blocked muscles are completely restored, begin to contract and wrinkles return, so the procedure will have to be repeated to maintain the effect. The optimal interval is from six months to a year.

You should not overuse Botox injections - it causes the formation of a vicious circle: the more often Botox is injected, the sooner the immune system will begin to produce antibodies, botulinum therapy will lose effectiveness, and then you will need to resort to injections more and more often, and this is at least fraught with the occurrence of allergic reactions.

If the patient has previously suffered from botulism, injections of the drug may not have the desired effect due to the developed immunity.

In the pursuit of beauty, it is worth remembering that in uncontrolled doses, even medicine becomes poison, especially to combat nasolabial folds Botox is not the most effective and harmless method.

Photo gallery: results of Botox injections

If deep nasolabial folds have already formed, Botox alone will not be enough, then fillers with hyaluronic acid will come to the rescue

Botox produces the best results when the skin is sufficiently elastic, firm and moisturized.

Unlike women, men have more developed facial muscles and thick skin, so they require an increased dosage of the drug

The dose of Botox should be less if the skin is thin and wrinkles are caused by a lack of moisture

Alternative

There are many other ways to correct nasolabial folds.

Fillers

The first and most popular option is the use of fillers with hyaluronic acid. Such fillers replace lost volume, tighten the skin and do not pose additional risks to health and appearance.

Fillers are injected directly into the fold itself and fill it evenly, smoothing the skin from the outside. The procedure is quite simple, not very painful, and the effect will last about six months.

Mesothreads

Correction of nasolabial folds using mesothreads also gives excellent results. With this method, special threads are introduced into the tissue of the middle third of the face along tension vectors. As a result, a collagen frame is formed around them, the tissues are stretched, and then a small amount of filler is injected into the folds themselves (if such a need arises). The results from this procedure can last up to 5 years.

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Preparation and carrying out the procedure

For the Botox injection procedure to be successful, you should treat it responsibly. First of all, you need to consult with a competent specialist who will determine your skin type, its tone and degree of moisture, assess the severity of wrinkles, identify the causes of their appearance and facial habits, and then outline the points where Botox will be administered and the dosage of injections. At the first appointment, the specialist must provide the patient with comprehensive information about side effects and possible complications, and the patient, in turn, must provide information about past illnesses, medications taken, existing allergic reactions and experience with similar procedures. Botox injections are prescribed after a thorough medical examination.

Choosing a doctor is strategically important - it is wiser to entrust your health to an experienced certified doctor or a qualified cosmetologist in a clinic with a medical license.

A couple of days before the procedure, you should stop taking antibiotics and blood thinning drugs (Aspirin, Heparin, Ibuprofen and their analogues) - they can cause bleeding and the formation of hematomas.

To minimize subcutaneous hemorrhages, after consultation with a doctor, they begin taking medications that strengthen blood vessels and prevent their fragility. For the same purpose, on the day of the prescribed injections, it is recommended to give up bad habits and avoid physical activity.

Botulinum toxin is injected into pre-designated points

Before starting the procedure, the doctor will disinfect the skin and, using an insulin syringe with a thin needle, inject small doses of Botox into the muscles that need to be relaxed. The ampoule with the drug must be opened by a doctor in the presence of the patient, and information about the batch number and expiration date must be entered into the outpatient card. If the pain threshold is reduced, local anesthesia can be performed by applying an anesthetic cream. At the end of the “execution,” the antiseptic is reapplied, and the injection sites can be cooled with a compress or ice cube.

The fame of the brand that produced the drug serves as a guarantee of its quality

The entire procedure takes from 20 minutes to an hour and within a week you will be able to enjoy a renewed face, free from expression wrinkles. However, in anticipation of a miracle, you should not hastily leave the office - it is better to stay under the supervision of a doctor for about half an hour, so that he can monitor the body’s first reaction to the injection and, if necessary, provide assistance.

What drugs are used

The cosmetics market offers a huge variety of botulinum toxin options from different manufacturers. Let's consider the most popular brands among cosmetologists and their clients:

Botox - produced in America since 1981 by Allergan, is known and in demand in most countries of the world. It differs from its analogues by the presence in the line of products with varying degrees of impact. It is localized exclusively in the area of administration and does not penetrate into the blood. The first visible result appears after 5 days and reaches its apogee after 2 weeks. A repeat session is performed no earlier than after 4 months. One unit costs about 400 rubles.

Dysport has been produced in France since 1990 by IPSEN PHARMA. It is a worthy competitor to the American drug, however, it has increased diffusion and, if the dosage is exceeded, can penetrate into neighboring structures. Provides a quick effect (1-4 days), complete removal from the body occurs within 3-4 months, then the procedure will have to be repeated. 1 unit of Dysport is equivalent to 2.5 Botox. Price - 150 rubles.

Botulax is a South Korean product that was recently registered in Russia. It works in the same way as the previous options, but differs in a shorter result, which is no more than three months. You can buy it in specialized stores for 200 rubles (1 ampoule).

Relatox is a domestically produced drug. Provides an accelerated effect - half an hour after injections, maximum correction occurs within a week. Some clients who have tried the product on themselves report a duration of action of up to 9 months. However, they agree that the procedure is quite painful. The cost of one unit is within 350 rubles.

Xeomin - produced in Germany, great for the first “acquaintance” with botoxotherapy. This is a high-quality drug that has gone through all stages of purification and rarely causes allergic reactions. It is very popular among cosmetologists. The action begins on days 4-7 and lasts on average 3 months. 1 unit of German product will cost 250 rubles.

Possible consequences

Choosing a certified specialist is the key to success, but, like any intervention, Botox injections, being a completely foreign substance to the body, can be fraught with pitfalls in the form of negative consequences.

When carrying out injections, the dose of the injected neurotoxin is very important: if its quantity is not enough, there will be no noticeable effect, otherwise temporary muscle paralysis may occur, and the patient, instead of a beautiful face, will become the owner of a fixed mask.

In any case, it is worth remembering that the drug is eliminated from the body after several months, so all adverse effects are reversible.

Botox injections can cause the following problems:

bruising where the needle was inserted;
pain;
itching;
swelling;
elevated temperature;
skin rashes and redness;
inflammation at injection sites;
asymmetry of the two halves of the face;
impaired lip mobility;
violation of chewing function;
hypersalivation (increased salivation) or, conversely, dry mouth;
formation of new facial wrinkles;
ptosis of the lower face;
articulation disorder;
nausea, vomiting, stool upset;
weight loss and loss of appetite;
dyspnea;
cardiopalmus;
weakness;
headache and dizziness;
fainting;
numbness of the face;
muscle spasm.

Considering the natural asymmetry of features, even qualified doctors are not immune to mistakes when working with such a difficult area as the nasolabial triangle, and self-administration of Botox is fraught with the most unexpected and disastrous consequences.

In the first two days after the injections, pain, redness at the puncture sites, swelling and bruising, as well as discomfort when chewing food and communicating may persist, but if over time the existing symptoms do not go away and new ones are added to them, this may indicate an overdose of the drug .

How long does the effect last?

Since the absorption of botulinum toxin in the muscles occurs at a slow pace, the result obtained after manipulation can last from 6 to 10 months. After this period, the manipulation must be repeated again. The main advantage of a new session is that it gives a cumulative effect. In other words, over time, with each procedure, the muscle loses more and more of its mobility, therefore, the result will last longer each time.

Rehabilitation period and precautions

To avoid unwanted complications, it is strongly recommended to adhere to medical recommendations for three weeks:

do not touch the injection sites and do not comb so that the botulinum toxin is evenly distributed in the desired areas without affecting neighboring tissues;
do not wash your face for the first 24 hours;
exclude peeling, scrubbing and massage;
give up makeup for a few days;
avoid horizontal body position for five to ten hours;
do not tilt your head for a long time and do not sleep on your stomach, but prefer high pillows to avoid the transfer of Botox to neighboring tissues;
avoid physical activity, visiting the gym and swimming pool;
stop taking painkillers, antibiotics and blood thinners;
for a week, neglect thermal procedures, visiting the bathhouse, sauna and solarium;
exclude alcohol in the coming days, because it increases blood circulation, thereby provoking the elimination of the drug;
do not smoke - harmful substances will slow down tissue restoration;
adjust the menu for two weeks, excluding salty and spicy foods to avoid swelling, and also limit fluid intake;
refuse solid, rough food;
postpone going to the dentist;
Do not vaccinate during this period.

Facial activity will help speed up the uniform distribution of Botox - you can not skimp on emotions and grimace as much as you like

In order for the results of botulinum therapy to last as long as possible, you will have to further limit all activities that stimulate blood circulation and accelerate metabolism - facial massage, physiotherapeutic procedures, warming up, exercise in the gym.

Compliance with these precautions will help minimize the risk of complications and unexpected consequences, but in any case, one to two weeks after the injections, the patient should visit his doctor for a follow-up examination and evaluation of the results.

Reviews

My dear fathers, there is nothing wrong with this procedure. The main thing is not to go to a hairdresser to do it to some cosmetologist you know, etc. It needs to be done by a professional in a good and reputable clinic. Solid not because I am for pathos. It’s just that small clinics that make little money often use expired Botox preparations. If the doctor gives you injections meticulously, then everything will go great! Believe me! I, too, was against Botox in the past, but it helped me.
Ludres
https://www.medikforum.ru/ftopic2963.html

Hi all. I’m writing specifically for those who are still afraid to get Botox, I also somehow dared to do it, when my friends have been doing it for a long time. Do not be afraid! It's not dangerous and not scary at all! And it hardly hurts! wrinkles go away - that's a fact. The entire civilized world has been using Botox for a long time. If there is an opportunity to look better, why not use it. Tested for yourself!
Arina53
Read also: Why a steaming face mask before cleansing is useful
https://www.medikforum.ru/ftopic2963.html

Impact on health or unhealthy facial expressions - I didn’t notice anything like that, it all depends on the professionalism of the doctor and his sense of proportion. I don’t know why Botox causes a negative reaction in many people, as far as I know, it is used even for children in neurology, so you can try it, but then everyone decides for themselves. For me it’s definitely YES!
KatePro
https://otzovik.com/review_2664713.html

Everyone makes their own choice. Just for it to be correct, at a minimum, complete and reliable information is needed. I believe that if there is a choice, it is better to make it in the physiological direction - non-injection and non-surgical. I removed my wrinkles with my hands and don’t go to the surgeon every 6 months. And I’ve had wrinkles on my forehead since I was 14 years old from facial expressions. And nothing, even after 50 they can be removed by removing them using manual techniques, just like Botox, the phenomenon of hypertonicity of the frontal muscle. And besides, Botox is not omnipotent. It's worth taking a look at the celebrities. Aging proceeds at its own pace, and for them it is often much more intense precisely because of their finances. opportunities, and prof. the need to “test” the effects of dubious anti-aging procedures, which include almost the entire cosmetic market.
Jesenija
https://www.medikforum.ru/post64007.html

Video: everything about Botox from the mouth of a dermatocosmetologist

Thanks to Botox injections, you can only gain the illusion of youth, because the drug does not affect the degree of hydration and elasticity of the skin. In addition, the long-term health consequences of such experiments are still not well understood. Opinions about the advisability of using a poisonous drug still differ: some are frightened by the fact that Botox has a destructive effect on the nervous system and can cause cancer, others cite the example of its use for medicinal purposes in the medical field. The debate continues and only time will shed light on the true state of affairs. However, this is of little concern to those wishing to rejuvenate due to the accessibility of the procedures, speed of execution and low degree of invasiveness. Tempting fate or trying well-researched and safer rejuvenation options is a purely personal choice.

Author: Ekaterina Rogova
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I am a certified tourism specialist, an inquisitive and creative person. I like to work with information and expand my horizons, so I’m currently learning a new profession as a copywriter. I draw inspiration from travel, classical literature, art, music and the beauty of nature. Rate this article:

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Opinion of cosmetologists

On forums, cosmetologists discuss aspects of working with various drugs, as well as the use of Botox for nasolabial folds.

A user writes about the need for advanced training to work with the middle and lower part of the face.

The review states that Botox affects the habit of frowning, but does not slow down the aging process. To preserve youth, systematic care is important.

A participant writes about the need to correctly calculate the dosage, depending on the brand of the drug.