Contents
Botox face slimming, Botox calf slimming, Botox wrinkle smoothing: these are among the most frequently heard and most asked-about aesthetic treatments. How many have you tried? When people hear “botulinum toxin,” many think of Botox from the US, a brand that is very popular in the aesthetic medicine world! Many clinics bring in Botox to serve patients. For aesthetic medicine beginners, with so many botulinum toxin brands out there, why is Botox the most popular? And why do most people still choose Botox after comparing? Today we clear up the confusion for beginners!
How Botulinum Toxin Works
Body movement is mainly driven by the brain “sending signals” to the muscles, making them contract. In the central and peripheral nervous systems there is a chemical called “acetylcholine.” This substance can help nerves transmit signals and start muscle activity.
The main purpose of “botulinum toxin” is to interfere with the release of acetylcholine, so the synapse loses its ability to transmit signals, which in turn inhibits the nerve endings from driving muscle movement, keeping the muscle in a relaxed state to smooth fine lines and soften muscle fibers.
The Complete Botox Guide: Aftereffects, Precautions, Indications, and Side Effects All in One Place
Botulinum, also known as “botulinum toxin,” is a protein secreted by Clostridium botulinum bacteria as they multiply. It was first discovered in 1897 by Dr. van Ermengem, who named the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is divided into seven serotypes, A through G, based on differing antigenicity, and type A is currently the most widely used.
Botulinum toxin was originally used only to correct strabismus caused by improper muscle force and various symptoms of muscle overactivity. As more and more effects were discovered (including controlling underarm odor, smoothing wrinkles, reducing overdeveloped calf muscles, and slimming the face and more), botulinum toxin has come to be highly valued and widely used in both the medical field and aesthetic medicine.
Common brands: Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Letybo, Neuronox, NABOTA
Botulinum Toxin Brand Comparison
| Product | Botox | Xeomin | Dysport | Letybo | Neuronox | NABOTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany | United Kingdom | South Korea | South Korea | South Korea |
| Nickname | Classic Toxin | Angel Toxin | Royal Toxin | Youthful Toxin | Miracle-Skin Toxin | Rainbow Toxin |
| Vial Size | 50U / 100U | 50U / 100U | 300U / 500U | 50 / 100 / 200U | 200U | 100U |
| Onset Time | 5-7 days | 2-4 days | 2-5 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days |
| Diffusion | Low | Low | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Duration | 4-6 months | 4-6 months | 4-6 months | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | 3-6 months |
| Storage | Refrigerate | Room temperature | Refrigerate | Refrigerate | Refrigerate | Refrigerate |
| Best Suited For | Fine areas e.g., crow's feet, forehead lines, frown lines | Various expression lines Shoulder muscle relaxation | Large areas e.g., face slimming, calf slimming | Fine areas e.g., crow's feet, forehead lines, frown lines | Fine areas e.g., crow's feet, forehead lines, frown lines | Fine areas e.g., crow's feet, forehead lines, frown lines |
| Key Features | World's first botulinum toxin product Most clinical indications | Free of complexing proteins | Widest diffusion range of any botulinum toxin product | No. 1 botulinum toxin brand in Korea by market share | Longest on the Korean market Highest cumulative overseas sales of any botulinum toxin brand | The only Korean botulinum toxin brand with FDA approval |
4 Major Botulinum Toxin Brands Compared! Best Areas, Prices, Pros and Cons All Revealed
Advantages and Effects of US-Made Botox
4 Key Advantages of US-Made Botox:
1. A brand developed by aesthetic medicine leader Allergan, on the market for over 30 years, the world's No. 1 botulinum toxin.
2. More than 100 million vials sold worldwide and used in hundreds of countries, making it a must-stock brand for aesthetic clinics today!
3. It can be used to improve dynamic wrinkles, masseter muscles, hyperhidrosis, and more, making it the brand with the most clinical indications.
4. Botox uses type A botulinum toxin, which has the strongest potency and the longest duration.
Botox Effects:
Smoothing dynamic wrinkles: forehead lines, crow's feet, frown lines, and bunny lines
Face slimming: masseter muscles, lower face lifting, and pore tightening across the whole face
Local refinement: bulky nostrils, nostril narrowing, and a bumpy chin (relaxing the chin muscles can lengthen the chin contour)
Body contouring: calf muscles (muscular “radish legs”), trapezius muscles (bulky shoulders and upper back)
Other: overactive underarm sweat glands (excessive sweating, underarm odor)
Are Wrinkles Dynamic or Static? How Botox Keeps Dynamic Lines from Becoming Static Ones
Botox for Hyperhidrosis
The function of sweat glands is to dissipate heat and regulate body temperature. When sweat glands are stimulated and secrete excessively, it leads to excessive underarm sweating, and when sweat stays on clothing for a long time, the clothes easily become discolored, causing the embarrassment of yellow stains.
BOTOX is officially approved by the US FDA for treating excessive underarm sweating, and it is also currently the only botulinum toxin approved by the Taiwan FDA for both cosmetic wrinkle treatment and excessive underarm sweating. A small amount of botulinum toxin is injected locally into the nerve endings that control sweating from the sweat glands, inhibiting the release of the chemicals that produce the sweating signal. This returns the underarms to a drier state and also greatly improves odor.According to clinical trials of Botox for controlling sweat gland secretion, sweating was reduced by an average of 83% one week after injection, and the effect lasted more than 7.5 months after the first treatment; for more than 30% of patients, the effect lasted a year or even longer. As a result, many people have begun choosing botulinum toxin to control sweating, and it is very popular. How long the effect lasts varies from person to person. The doctor will adjust the most suitable injection sites and dosage according to each person's condition to achieve the best results.
Is It “Excessive Sweating” or “Smelly Sweat”? Underarm Odor Treatments Compared
Common Q&A
Q: How long does Botox last?
A: When Botox is used on frown lines, the effect can last up to 4 months. However, depending on each person's constitution and lifestyle habits, how long it lasts varies, and for most people the average duration is 4-6 months.
Also, the duration of botulinum toxin tends to extend with the number of treatments, so we recommend returning for treatment regularly within 4 months to half a year after the first session, after which you can gradually reduce the frequency of injections.
Q: Are there side effects or downtime after botulinum toxin injections?
A: Botox only works by relaxing overactive facial muscles to smooth wrinkles, and when used correctly it does not cause side effects or complications. However, after injection you may see normal reactions such as bruising and swelling, which can usually be improved with an ice pack and will subside within a few hours to a few days. Individual constitution and improper aftercare, such as drinking alcohol or staying up late, can also affect how long the toxin lasts and how well it works, and may cause side effects such as a stiff expression or headaches!
Q: Will frequent botulinum toxin injections lead to overdosing or poisoning?
A: There is no poisoning problem! Botox is a natural, purified protein that the body easily absorbs and metabolizes. That is also why with Botox injections the results are not permanent, so regular maintenance injections are needed, about once every 4 to 6 months.
Q: If I stop botulinum toxin injections, will wrinkles increase or get worse?
A: No, they won't! After you stop botulinum toxin injections, the muscles gradually regain their strength, and if your muscle-use habits don't change, the wrinkles will simply return gradually to how they were and will not become worse. But if you don't change the expressions or habits that cause wrinkles, then as you age and collagen breaks down, wrinkles will still become more numerous and more noticeable.
Why Can Botox Smooth Wrinkles, Fight Aging, and Slim the Face? 4 Major Botox Effects Explained
This article is for general information only. Results vary from person to person; please consult a doctor in person before deciding on any treatment.
