Botulinum toxin
Forehead wrinkles that give away your age, glabellar lines that create a stern expression, and crow’s feet that make the eyes look heavy.
Botulinum toxin is the most effective and well-established solution in aesthetic medicine for facial expression lines: a quick, precise and reversible treatment that smooths out dynamic wrinkles, lifts the eyebrows and restores a natural freshness to the face, without altering its features.
What is botulinum toxin and how does it work?
Botulinum toxin is a protein of bacterial origin which, when administered in very small, controlled doses via micro-injections into the facial muscles responsible for facial expressions, temporarily reduces their ability to contract. The mechanism is simple and elegant: expression lines form because the underlying muscles contract repeatedly over time. By reducing this tightening, the overlying skin is smoothed out, wrinkles are reduced and the face takes on a more rested and youthful appearance.
The effect is not permanent, and this is one of the treatment’s key strengths. The effects of botulinum toxin last on average between 5 and 6 months, after which the muscle gradually regains its mobility and the treatment can be repeated. With regular sessions over time, many patients notice a gradual improvement in the results: the muscles become accustomed to contracting less intensely, and wrinkles tend to form less deeply.
Botulinum toxin for the face: treatment areas
Botulinum toxin treatment is mainly used on the upper third of the face, where expression lines are the main factor contributing to an aged, tired or strained appearance. It is in this area that facial Botox achieves its full potential, delivering precise and natural results that transform facial expressions without making them look stiff.
Botulinum toxin for forehead wrinkles
Horizontal wrinkles on the forehead are among the earliest to appear and the most visible. They form through repeated movement of the frontalis muscle: raising the eyebrows and expressing surprise or attentiveness. Over time, they become visible even at rest, giving the face a tired appearance. Botulinum toxin smooths out these wrinkles very naturally, without freezing facial expressions: the aim is a smooth forehead that retains its mobility and vitality.
Botulinum toxin for glabellar wrinkles
Glabellar lines (the so-called "number eleven" lines between the eyebrows) develop from contraction of the corrugator and procerus muscles. Once they become set, they give the face a permanently furrowed or tense expression, regardless of the person's actual mood. Botox for glabellar wrinkles is one of the most popular treatments because it produces one of the most immediate and significant changes in facial expression: the face opens up, relaxes and conveys a sense of serenity.
Botox for crow’s feet
Crow’s feet are the expression lines that radiate out from the outer corner of the eye: they appear when we smile and, over time, remain visible even when the face is at rest. Botox for the treatment of crow’s feet acts specifically on the orbicularis oculi muscle, reducing the contractions responsible for these wrinkles and smoothing the area around the eyes. The result is a more open, fresher and visibly rejuvenated look.
Botulinum toxin for a natural lifting effect
When botulinum toxin is applied in a coordinated manner to various areas of the upper third of the face, it produces an overall rejuvenating effect that goes beyond simply smoothing out wrinkles: the eyebrows are lifted slightly, the eyelids appear less heavy, and the eyes appear more open. This is what is known as the ‘natural facelift’ effect: not a surgical facelift, but a rebalancing of facial features that makes the face look rested and younger.
Botulinum toxin for bruxism
Bruxism is the involuntary clenching and grinding of the teeth. It often occurs whilst sleeping and, over time, leads to hypertrophy of the masseter muscle, resulting in a widening of the jawline and chronic muscle pain in the jaw, temples and neck. Botulinum toxin injected into the masseter muscle reduces the muscle’s contractile force, alleviating pain and gradually refining the facial contours.
Botulinum toxin for the trapezius muscle
Botulinum toxin injections into the trapezius muscle are recommended for people suffering from chronic muscle tension, recurrent neck spasms and shoulder pain. It reduces muscle hyperactivity, relieving built-up tension and significantly improving the quality of daily life. Furthermore, relaxing the trapezius muscle produces a noticeable aesthetic effect: the neck appears longer and more slender, and the shoulders appear less tense and more defined – the so-called ‘Barbie neck’ effect, which has been highly sought-after in recent years.
Botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating localised to the underarms, palms of the hands and soles of the feet responds exceptionally well to treatment with botulinum toxin. When injected in micro-doses into the dermis of the affected areas, it temporarily blocks the nerve signal to the sweat glands, drastically reducing sweat production without affecting the body’s overall thermoregulation. The results are visible within a few days and last for between 6 and 12 months.
Facial Botox: what happens during the treatment
Before administering the injections, Dr Garavaglia analyses the patient’s facial muscles in motion: he observes how the muscles contract, where wrinkles form, and what the patient’s natural facial expression is like. This assessment is essential for creating a personalised injection plan for each area of the face, one that takes individual features into account and ensures a harmonious result.
The injections are administered using very fine needles directly into the target muscles. The treatment takes about 15 minutes, does not require anaesthesia and involves no recovery time: the patient can resume their normal activities straight away. It is normal to experience slight redness at the injection sites, which disappears within a few hours.
The results start to become visible after 3–5 days and reach their full effect within 10–14 days of the treatment.
Botulinum toxin for the face, for natural-looking results
The most common fear among those trying facial Botox for the first time is that they will lose their facial expressions, or end up with a stiff or unnatural-looking face. It is an understandable fear, fuelled by poorly executed results that end up making the headlines precisely because they are so visible.
A personalised Botox treatment carried out correctly is not noticeable. The forehead moves, the eyebrows lift, and the smile is natural. What changes is the tension and the depth of the wrinkles at rest. Your face doesn’t change: it simply looks more radiant, for a natural result.
Botulinum toxin and aesthetic medicine
Botulinum toxin acts on dynamic wrinkles – those caused by muscle movements. A comprehensive facial Botox treatment programme may also include a combination with other treatments: facial fillers for static wrinkles and to restore volume; biorevitalisation to improve skin quality and radiance; and laser treatments for discolouration and skin texture.
This combined approach, using Botox alongside other treatments, is currently the most effective and natural anti-ageing protocol available in aesthetic medicine: each treatment targets a different aspect of the ageing process, resulting in a comprehensive, extremely harmonious and natural outcome.
Why choose Studio Garavaglia?
Botulinum toxin is one of the seemingly simplest treatments in aesthetic medicine. In fact, it requires precise anatomical knowledge, a trained clinical eye and an aesthetic sensibility that is developed over time. At our clinic in Milan, you can rely on Dr Garavaglia’s expertise and approach to achieve a natural, harmonious result that brings out the best in your face.
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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about botulinum toxin
Is botulinum toxin safe?
How long do the effects of facial Botox last?
Is facial Botox painful?
At what age is it recommended to start using botulinum toxin?
There is no specific age. Many patients start between the ages of 30 and 35 as a preventative measure, to slow down the formation of expression lines. For those over 40, the treatment plan is often more comprehensive, involving a combination of fillers and other anti-ageing treatments.