Botox Injection

Creases on the forehead (Botox and collagen are simultaneously injected.)	3 months after the injection
Wrinkles around the eye (Botox and collagen are simultaneously injected.)	3 months after the injection

What is Botox?

Botox is a name of a chemical product with a trademark of Alagan, a U.S manufacturer. Botox is extracted from a chemical substance called botulinum. A doctor in the U.S. used Botox to treat cross-eye for the first time in 1977. Botox has been used to treat eyelid spasm and facial nerve palsy on one side. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry of Japan approved Botox for the treatment of eyelid spasm in 1996. Action mechanism of Botox is to reduce neural transmission to muscles.

Different Kinds of Botox Products

Botox is a registered trademark, so the products other than Alagan products are not considered Botox in the strict sense. Alagan manufactures Botox products in the U.S. and Ireland. Only the Botox products made by Alagan in the U.S. are approved in Japan. Unfortunately, use of Botox products imported officially for cosmetic purposes is banned in Japan. Botox products officially imported to Japan cost about 100,000 yen per bottle. Most Botox products used at Japanese aesthetic plastic clinics are manufactured by Alagan in Ireland and imported privately at each doctor’s discretion.

Several products have the same effects as Botox. Most common product similar to Botox in its effect is “BTXA” which is manufactured in China. BTXA contains pig collagen and allergic reaction is common among users. BTXA varies considerably in quality due to its quality control issues. Many clinics use BTXA due to its affordable price. Another Botox product “Neuronox”, manufactured in Korea, also came into market. Our clinic uses “Dysport”, a Botox product manufactured by a British company, Ipsen. Our clinic imports Dysport from England by temperature-controlled airmail. Dysport has high purity and assured effectiveness without piece-to-piece variations.

Areas Effective for Botox Injection Treatment

Injection of Botox into mimic muscles keeps the muscles from contracting. In this way, Botox injection prevents wrinkles from forming around the eyes and mouth. Botox injection is especially effective for reducing wrinkles between eyebrows and wrinkles in the outer corner of the eyes (crow’s feet). Botox injection is also effective for reducing wrinkles on the forehead.

Side Effects of Botox Injection Treatment

The most common side effect of Botox injection treatment is the loss of expression on the face. The face becomes less expressive because the facial muscles that create expression don’t move when Botox is injected. Usagi Nakamura, a writer who had a Botox injection treatment wrote that someone told her she doesn’t smile after she had the treatment. If women who had a Botox injection cannot have a charming smile, it is “no laughing matter”.

Some patients who received a Botox injection treatment from an inexperienced cosmetic surgeon have had trouble smiling. Our patients visit our clinic twice a year to receive a Botox injection treatment. If Botox is injected in the patient’s skin properly, this treatment works wonders on wrinkles. My wife receives Botox injection treatments twice a year also.

Wrinkles Not Reduced by Botox Injection Treatment

Botox alone does not reduce wrinkles that are not used to make expressions, such as a nasolabial groove. Optimized effect is attained by injecting Botox along with collagen and hyaluronic acid. Impregnating agent in the injection tends not to diffuse due to the reduction of wrinkles by Botox injection. As a result, effect of high-priced collagen is prolonged.

Duration of Effect of Botox Injection Treatment

The effect of Botox injection treatment lasts about 6 months. You will start to feel the effect 2 or 3 days after the injection. The effectiveness of Botox treatment is at its height around 3 to 4 months after the injection. The effectiveness gradually wears out after that time. Effect of Botox usually lasts about 6 months, but the effect lasts for about a year for some people. Botox injection is a safe procedure and it is natural for Botox to wear out in several months. Most patients visit our clinic twice a year to receive Botox injection. Expensive cosmetic products cannot eliminate wrinkles. We are confident that our patients will be satisfied with the Botox injection treatment which reduces wrinkles dramatically.