Botulinum toxin: how it works and what it can't do
How botulinum toxin smooths expression lines, how long the effect lasts – and which wrinkles it can't treat.
Botulinum toxin is one of the best-studied active ingredients in aesthetic medicine. Even so, persistent misunderstandings remain.
How it works
Injected into the muscle in a very small amount, the active ingredient temporarily interrupts signal transmission between nerve and muscle. The treated muscle relaxes and the skin above it smooths out. So it is not the wrinkle itself that is treated, but its cause.
What can be treated with it
- frown lines between the eyebrows
- horizontal forehead lines
- crow's feet at the corners of the eyes
- excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the underarms or hands
What can't be treated with it
Wrinkles that remain visible even with a completely relaxed expression are caused by loss of volume or skin laxity. They barely respond to botulinum toxin – here fillers, microneedling or lifting procedures are more appropriate. A proper consultation clarifies this in advance.
Procedure and duration of effect
The injection takes only a few minutes and is carried out with very fine needles. The effect sets in after three to seven days and is complete after about two weeks. It usually lasts three to six months; after that the original expression returns.
What to keep in mind afterwards
On the day of treatment, avoid sport, sauna and tanning beds and keep your head upright for a few hours. Small areas of redness at the injection sites usually disappear within a few hours.
When it is not advisable
We do not treat during pregnancy and breastfeeding or with certain neuromuscular conditions. We clarify whether the treatment is right for you in a personal consultation.