Aesthetic medicine
Botulinum toxin is a substance that has been successfully used in various medical fields for over 15 years. Its use in the field of aesthetics dates back approximately 10 years and is attributed to the accidental observation of an ophthalmologist who noticed that after treating a case of strabismus, the wrinkles around the eyes had gradually smoothed out. The popularity, driven by a high success rate and quick execution, has made botulinum toxin the most requested medical aesthetic procedure in the United States.
After years of legislative uncertainties, the use of botulinum toxin for aesthetic purposes has become legal in Italy (as it already was in over 30 other countries worldwide). Until recently, in Italy, Botox could only be used for the treatment of more serious and severe disorders.
On a bureaucratic level, the Ministry of Health has moved botulinum toxin from Class H, where it was available and usable only within hospital settings, to Class C, which includes paid medications, and has authorized its use for wrinkle treatment.
The use of botulinum toxin, and thus its purchase, is exclusively reserved for Specialist Doctors in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, and Ophthalmology, provided they are appropriately qualified and have documented experience in the technique.
This is because botulinum toxin is a medication, and its use for wrinkle correction is a pharmacological treatment that must be performed by experienced hands to ensure safety and efficacy. In any case, the aesthetic use of botulinum toxin is approved only for glabellar, frontal, and periocular wrinkles. However, under the direct responsibility of the doctor, it can also be used in other areas, such as the neck, where it can help reduce unsightly vertical bands.
In summary, it is a substance with great therapeutic potential, capable of producing excellent results when performed correctly but also capable of causing disasters if done by someone lacking expertise.
"How does botulinum toxin work for the treatment of wrinkles?"
How is botulinum toxin injected?
It is an extremely quick and virtually painless procedure. Botulinum toxin is injected with a very fine needle, barely thicker than a hair. Only a few pinpoint injections are needed to treat extensive areas such as the forehead. The resulting swelling is minimal, and normal activities can be resumed immediately.
The skin-smoothing effect becomes visible 3-7 days after the session and typically lasts 6-9 months. The duration depends on individual absorption characteristics, the injected quantities, and the experience of the doctor. It is advisable to periodically repeat the injections not only to maintain the acquired results but also to have an important preventive action on the formation of expression lines. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that the skin-smoothing effect tends to be slightly more enduring after several sessions due to the patient’s loss of the habit of repeatedly contracting the muscles put “at rest” by the toxin.
Which areas can benefit from botulinum toxin?
Unwanted effects of botulinum toxin
Unwanted effects of botulinum toxin, when the technique is performed by an experienced specialist, are generally minimal, local, and transient. They may include small bruises and, occasionally, mild headaches. Rarely, there can be a weakening of nearby muscles leading to slight and temporary ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid or eyebrow.
Moreover, this technique has the advantage of being able to be associated without any issues or contraindications with other dermoplastic treatments such as chemical peels and absorbable intradermal fillers.
For those who, while feeling the urge to erase the signs of time, remain a bit apprehensive, they can take comfort in looking at photos of individuals like Charlotte Rampling or Sean Connery: the years may be visible, but…
Botulinum
The term “capillary” commonly refers to unaesthetic small blood vessels that appear on the body’s surface and serve to transport blood to the superficial tissues. Scientifically speaking, they can be divided into two major families: those of arterial origin (mostly red) and those of venous origin (blue, green-blue, black). Their color varies depending on their origin, depth, and size, ranging from red to blue.
Capillaries can appear or increase in size due to a particular genetic and familial predisposition. Sometimes they can act as a warning sign of a more significant vascular pathology affecting the deep venous system. Additionally, their appearance can worsen due to specific lifestyle factors such as sedentary behavior, lack of physical activity, excessive weight, skin exposure to sunlight, and extreme temperatures.
Before proceeding with treatment, it is necessary to understand the causes by conducting, if necessary, a color Doppler ultrasound. In some cases, the treatment of capillaries proves ineffective or yields transient results because the underlying pathology is not adequately addressed.
Therapy
The advent of laser technology has revolutionized the treatment of capillaries, although in some cases, the integration of sclerotherapy is still necessary. Modern vascular lasers can selectively target both red and blue capillaries, leaving the surrounding skin intact.
The number of sessions required depends on the quantity and type of capillaries, generally ranging from three to four sessions. The results are markedly superior compared to those achievable with simple sclerotherapy and ensure greater durability over time.
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