Botox Doesn’t Deform the Face or Add Volume Where Applied
Botox and hyaluronic acid are the most popular procedures worldwide, chosen by doctors and patients alike for rejuvenation. However, their surge in popularity in recent years has led to myths about the use of this toxin. According to the Pontifical Bolivarian University, people often confuse Botox with fillers. For instance, when they see celebrities with prominent, sometimes deformed lips, they assume it’s due to Botox. Let’s clarify: Botox does not add volume to the areas where it’s applied. In fact, it’s noted that many facial deformities commonly seen in society result from fillers other than hyaluronic acid. This is also attributed to applications by non-medical personnel or doctors lacking the proper training and qualifications required to administer it.
Botox is the registered trademark of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified protein and a completely biological component (not chemical or synthetic), secreted by a microorganism called *Clostridium botulinum*. This toxin temporarily relaxes striated muscles by blocking the impulses from nerve endings that connect to facial muscles. It relaxes the muscles so they can’t contract, keeping the skin above them smooth and preventing wrinkles. Every time we express ourselves, laugh, or cry, facial muscles contract, and over time, this activity creates wrinkles like forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. The only recommendation regarding its use is to wait three months between applications to avoid developing antibodies that could reduce its effect.
Botox application is a quick, relatively painless procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia or allergy testing. It takes just a few minutes (20 to 30) and patients can resume their normal routine without issues. It’s administered via injection with a very fine needle into the muscle causing each wrinkle. Botox is indicated for treating dynamic wrinkles visible when the face moves. It’s commonly applied to the upper third of the face—forehead, between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet—but can also be used for nose wrinkles, certain neck areas, lip corners, and to define the face’s contour or lift the eyebrows. There’s no minimum age to start treatment. A specialist doctor will determine the right time for each patient to begin.
Generally, the average starting age is around 30, as there’s no need to wait for wrinkles to form before beginning treatment. In younger people with highly dynamic facial muscles, it prevents wrinkle formation. After application, it’s recommended to avoid exercise, lying down, touching the face at injection sites, and visiting pools, saunas, or steam rooms. Botox starts taking effect 48 hours after application, with the final result visible around 10 days later. With European toxins, the full effect may be seen after two weeks.
The effect fades gradually, lasting 4 to 6 months depending on the patient’s metabolism, application technique, and dosage. Once the effect wears off, the patient returns to their pre-treatment state, having prevented further skin aging during that time—this is how it acts as a preventive measure. The skin never ends up worse than before.
Botox doesn’t deform the face because the loss of its effect is gradual, meaning the muscle slowly regains its ability to contract. It shouldn’t be applied to pregnant women, those breastfeeding, or individuals with neuromuscular diseases like myasthenia gravis.
Does the Face Lose Expressiveness?
No, the substance relaxes the muscles at the injection site. The degree of relaxation can vary depending on the dosage used. Individualized treatment delivers results tailored to each patient’s needs. Prominent, exaggerated, or deformed lips come from permanent fillers like biopolymers, silicone, or methacrylate, which migrate over time and don’t adapt to natural aging. Hyaluronic acid fillers, however, are absorbable and can fill lips naturally. Hyaluronic acid is recognized as the preferred filler due to its efficacy and safety profile compared to permanent fillers like biopolymers, whose complications are also permanent and may emerge years after application.
Cali Laser Center is the best aesthetic medicine clinic specializing in advanced treatments to enhance and rejuvenate your appearance
We offer Botox to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, as well as Hyaluronic Acid to restore volume and hydration for a naturally youthful look. Learn more here:
✴️BOTOX (BOTULINUM TOXIN)– CALI LASER CENTER✴️
✴️HYALURONIC ACID FILLERS – CALI LASER CENTER✴️