Category
Botulinum toxin-based injection treatments: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, masseter Botox, microBotox, preventive Botox and more.
6 terms
Botulinum toxin neuromodulators are among the most extensively studied and longest-established treatments in medical aesthetics. The active ingredient is botulinum toxin type A, purified from Clostridium botulinum bacteria; commonly used branded molecules include Onabotulinumtoxin A, Incobotulinumtoxin A, Abobotulinumtoxin A and Prabotulinumtoxin A. These molecules temporarily block acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, selectively reducing the contraction of targeted mimetic muscles. The result is a softening of dynamic wrinkles such as horizontal forehead lines, glabellar "11" lines and periorbital crow’s feet. Onset typically begins 3-7 days after injection, peaks around day 14 and lasts roughly 3-6 months depending on patient metabolism, muscle mass, dose and injection site. With regular, well-timed re-treatment, muscle memory progressively decreases and effect duration tends to extend. Beyond aesthetics, botulinum toxin has well-established medical indications: masseter hypertrophy and bruxism, focal hyperhidrosis, chronic migraine, blepharospasm and cervical dystonia. At Dr. Hamza Gemici’s clinic every botox candidate undergoes facial analysis, animated mimetic photography, muscle-activity mapping and a realistic expectation discussion before treatment; the goal is preservation of natural expression rather than a frozen appearance. Conservative starting doses, a day-14 review and small touch-up units when needed are standard practice. This category covers toxin types, dosing units, injection regions, contraindications and signature techniques such as micro-botox, baby botox, Nefertiti lift and masseter treatment. Any individual plan can only be determined through an in-person consultation.
Baby Botox is an intramuscular injection treatment that aims to prevent wrinkles in young patients between the ages of 20-35, with a dose reduced to 30-50% of the classical botox, and gives maximum priority to preserving natural facial expressions.
Botox is an FDA-approved neuromuscular injection treatment containing Botulinum toxin type A that temporarily relaxes facial mimic muscles to reduce and prevent dynamic wrinkles.
Crow's feet botox; It is Botulinum toxin type A injection applied to the orbicularis oculi muscle to treat dynamic lines that open out from the corners of the eyes (lateral canthal lines). It is applied in a dose of 6-9 units with a standard 3-point injection pattern and reduces laughing lines for 3-6 months.
Forehead botox; It is an FDA-approved non-invasive aesthetic procedure that blocks muscle contraction and reduces dynamic lines by injecting Botulinum toxin type A into the frontal muscle (musculus frontalis) and surrounding muscles in order to treat horizontal forehead lines and wrinkles.
Masseter botox; It is an aesthetic and medical injection treatment used to slim the jaw shape by reducing muscle volume or to treat bruxism (teeth grinding) with Botulinum toxin type A injected into the masseter muscle located in the corner of the jaw.
Microbotox (other names: MesoBotox, Dermal Botox) is the intradermal injection of diluted Botulinum toxin type A into the superficial dermal layer in micro-doses of 0.01-0.03 mL; It aims to improve skin quality, pore tightness, sebum production and sweat production without affecting the facial muscles.
Properly dosed botox in correctly selected muscles preserves natural expression; the "frozen face" appearance typically results from excessive dosing, wrong muscle selection or superficial placement. The approach used by Dr. Hamza Gemici is not full muscular paralysis but selective reduction of the excessive contraction that produces dynamic wrinkles. We tend to start with a conservative dose, review at day 14 and add small touch-up units only if needed. With correct planning your face still moves when you smile or react; only the resting wrinkle lines soften. Whether you will preserve full expressivity depends on your individual anatomy and mimetic pattern, which we can only assess in a face-to-face consultation.
Botulinum toxin type A typically lasts between 3 and 6 months, with an average duration of around 4 months. Key factors influencing longevity include patient metabolism, muscle mass and activity, total dose, brand of toxin and injection technique. Patients who exercise intensively, have a fast metabolism or strong expressive musculature may notice shorter duration. With regular and well-timed re-treatments, muscle memory tends to decrease over time and effect duration may extend. A common follow-up plan is every 4 months for the first 1-2 years, then every 5-6 months. Your personal schedule is finalised at the post-treatment review based on how the molecule behaves in your tissue.
The legal minimum age for cosmetic botox is 18; there is no strict upper age limit and well-selected patients in their 70s can be treated safely. Good candidates are generally healthy adults with dynamic wrinkles and realistic expectations. Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome, known allergy to botulinum toxin or formulation components, active skin infection at the injection site and certain aminoglycoside antibiotic use. Patients with unrealistic expectations or signs of body dysmorphic disorder are deferred rather than treated. Final candidacy is confirmed only after a detailed medical history and in-person facial assessment.
Botox is essentially a no-downtime procedure; most patients return to daily activities immediately. For the first 4 hours we recommend keeping the head upright, avoiding massage, sauna and intense exercise, not applying pressure to the treated area and not lying face-down — these precautions help limit unwanted diffusion of the toxin. Pinpoint redness or small bumps at injection sites usually fade within 15-60 minutes; occasionally a small bruise may persist for a few days and can easily be covered with makeup. Heavy workouts are deferred 24 hours and alcohol is avoided on the first evening. Returning to meetings, social events or work the same day is typically uneventful; case-specific guidance is provided after treatment.
Botox pricing is not a flat fee — it depends on the total number of units used, the brand of toxin (Onabotulinumtoxin A, Incobotulinumtoxin A, Abobotulinumtoxin A and others), the number of treated regions, physician experience, clinic standards and individual anatomical needs. For example, the units required for glabella alone differ significantly from those needed for a combined forehead + glabella + crow’s feet plan. Therefore the price range is personalised to the region and to the patient’s anatomy. At our clinic the specific dose plan and price range is shared transparently after the in-person consultation. Quoting a "fixed price" over the phone or via messaging is not consistent with sound medical ethics.