Botulinum Toxin (Botox) The fundamentals: calming the muscles that cause wrinkles

Botox is an injectable treatment that uses botulinum toxin to reduce contraction signals to overactive muscles, improving wrinkles and contour. It is used on muscles that create expression lines, such as on the glabella, forehead, and around the eyes, or on enlarged muscles such as the masseter (square jaw). We first assess muscle movement and wrinkle patterns, then decide the injection sites.

It is mainly used for expression lines on the glabella, forehead, and around the eyes, and for cases where enlarged masseter muscles make the face look wide. On the other hand, wrinkles that are deeply etched even at rest improve to a limited degree with Botox alone. In such cases other treatments such as filler may be considered together, and we advise you after consultation.

The formulation is decided after consultation based on your resistance history and treatment goal. Grays Dermatology stocks 3 formulations (Botulax, Coretox, and Xeomin), and if resistance is suspected or you plan long-term repeat treatment, a formulation with complexing proteins removed may be considered first. We explain the differences between formulations at your visit.

We describe the pain as low, and the treatment takes about 10-20 minutes. If you are worried about the stinging sensation, topical numbing cream is applied as needed. How it feels varies by area and individual.

Apart from injection marks there is no separate recovery period, so you can return to daily life right after treatment. However, for the first 4 hours do not rub the treated area or lie down, and avoid alcohol, saunas, and strenuous exercise on the day of treatment. It is important not to irritate the injection sites.

Effects typically begin within 3-7 days and stabilize around 2 weeks. Results typically last 3-6 months, varying by area, formulation, and individual. If you notice a left-right difference or similar around 2 weeks, you can have a consultation then about whether a touch-up is needed.

Many people repeat it every 3-6 months, timed to when the effect wears off. There are reports that repeating large doses frequently at short intervals can lead to neutralizing antibodies (resistance). That is why we lower the risk by keeping to appropriate intervals and doses and by choosing the formulation, and the timing of retreatment is decided after consultation.

Botox softens expression lines by reducing muscle movement, while filler uses hyaluronic acid to fill hollow areas and create volume and contour. Because they work differently, the two are sometimes combined when expression lines and hollowness coexist. Combinations with SkinVive, InMode, and others are also planned after consultation depending on the goal.

Masseter Botox reduces the bulk of enlarged jaw muscles, while V-OLET reduces fat under the chin to define the jawline. The right approach depends on whether a wide or blurred jawline is caused by muscle, fat, or sagging. We identify the cause at consultation and then advise you.

Be sure to tell us at your visit if you have a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you take anticoagulants, bruising becomes more likely, and we also carefully assess whether to proceed if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to the product's ingredients or have inflammation at the injection site. If you notice any unexpected changes after treatment, please contact the clinic right away.

The cost depends on the area, formulation, and dose, and is confirmed after consultation. Reference prices can be found on the price list on our website. To book at Grays Dermatology in Haeundae, Busan, use Naver Booking, our KakaoTalk channel, or call +82-51-710-1891; consultations are also available via LINE.