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Is Botox Safe? The Lowdown on the Treatment that Promises to Banish Wrinkles and Slim Faces

Best Botox in Singapore and All about Botox treatment
ExpertsPost Category - ExpertsExpertsStyle & BeautyPost Category - Style & BeautyStyle & Beauty - Post Category - BeautyBeauty

Everything you need to know about Botox in Singapore

There’s no getting away from the fact that everyone ages. Those sleepless nights with a newborn and toddler all add up, fine lines creep up almost overnight, foreheads furrow, frown lines set in. Choose to go gracefully and embrace the laughter lines, they say. Except when your bestie starts looking younger every birthday, who can blame you if you want to research your options to look a little less tired? We ask aesthetic experts in Singapore all about Botox, one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that promises to ban wrinkles, slimline jaws, tighten pores and make you look like you haven’t not slept in years!

Why Botox?

Botox is commonly used to tackle facial wrinkles and lines on the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet although Dr Low Chai Ling of SW1 Clinic is also seeing patients as young as mid-20s for Botox who are in search of facial slimming treatments. Botox can also be used on the neck to reduce vertical neck bands, as well as to lift and define the jawline which can become enlarged due to overactive muscles and teeth clenching as well as to reduce excess sweating and control migraines. SW1 also offers a special technique called Micro Refine where dilute doses of Botox are placed superficially just under the skin (and not into the muscle) to close pores, reduce oiliness and smoothen skin.

Let’s back up a bit, though.

where to do botox in singapore
Image: Getty

What actually is Botox is and how does it work?

Botox is a brand name for Botulinum Toxin A, a highly purified protein which is injected in very small doses to reduce wrinkles. Other brands available in Singapore are ”Dysport” and “Xeomin” which work in similar ways, although each brand has different characteristics. Dr Sylvia Ramirez, the Harvard-trained Medical Director at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics an expert in administering Botox, explains more:

“Botox works by temporarily blocking the signal from nerves to a muscle so that the wrinkles formed by muscle contraction relaxes and softens. Botox works best for wrinkles formed because of repetitive muscle contraction (frowning, smiling and squinting). When administered by a fully trained physician, Botox can produce consistent, natural and predictable results. Because each one of us has different strengths of muscle and different placement of the muscles, the treatment has to be customized and individualized, so it’s important to go to a doctor you can trust.”

If you are wondering how Botox differs from Botulinum, Dr Sylvia explains that the latter is food poisoning caused by bacteria while Botox and any other brand like Dysport or Xeomin is derived also from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Concentration and dosage makes all the difference.

What’s involved with Botox treatment? Is it painful?

You’ll have an initial consultation first. Dr Frank Lee from Lloyds Medical Clinic prides himself with meticulous attention to detail and always assesses his patients first to advise on their needs. After your assessment, your face (or the area that will be treated) will then be cleaned and a topical anaesthetic cream can be applied if required (it’s optional and you can cut this out if are in a rush and have experienced the injection sensation before).  The anaesthetic numbing cream will take 10 minutes or so to start working. Botox injections are then applied, and the whole session should be over in 30 minutes so you can go straight back to work without any downtime.

One Sassy Mama team member describes Botox injections as “a tiny rubber band that was snapped at my forehead. Minute, incredibly bearable. It was seriously over before I knew it.”

How many Botox sessions does it take before seeing results, and how long does it last?

Just a single session is sufficient to see the results, says Dr Gerard Ee at The Clifford Clinic. You may need to wait up to five days to see an initial result, and full effects may take up to two weeks to be fully visible, but one session is sufficient to see a result that is often sustained up to 4 to 6 months. With repeated treatments, the results of Botox tend to last even longer as the muscles become less prominent.

Botox doctors singapore
Image: Getty

How do you find the right doctor?

Put the research in to make sure you are comfortable with your doctor, who should be a qualified and trained practitioner. Schedule a consultation in to see if the doctor’s philosophy aligns with yours. Dr Ariffin Ziaudeen (Dr.Fin) at Bio Aesthetic Medispa, who is fully accredited in aesthetic procedures, recommends reviewing before-and-after photos to check previous work and to look for independent reviews online. Dr Fin believes in giving patients as natural a look as possible and advises taking a cautious approach to the treatment with the option of a follow up after two weeks to evaluate the effects and possibly top up if needed.

Are there any down sides using Botox? Is Botox safe?

Some may experience reddening, and minor bruising at the injection site. While Botox is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in small doses – such as those used in the treatment of wrinkles and lines as well as slimming of the jawline – administering too much Botox might result in a “frozen” or expressionless face, asymmetrical issues, or drooping of the eyelids and brows. Fortunately Botox is temporary, so any of these issues will wear off, though it’s still worth finding a trusted practitioner. Dr Low Chai Ling, of SW1 Clinic, advises that as with all injections, a good and proper injection technique will further ensure that adverse events are minimized. That is why it’s so important to only undergo Botox treatment with a trained doctor experienced in using Botox.

Aesthetic Clinics offering Botox in Singapore

SW1 Clinic, offers non-invasive medical grade facials and cutting-edge plastic surgery with branches at Paragon and OUE, Tel: (+65) 6817 8888, www.sw1clinic.com

Cutis Medical Laser Clinics offers FDA-cleared, non-surgical aesthetic treatments at 9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza, Scotts Medical Center #08-07 Singapore 228210, Tel: (+65) 6801 4000, www.cutislaserclinics.com

Lloyds Medical Clinic offers advanced medical aesthetic treatments and services, 435 Orchard Rd, #19-04 WISMA ATRIA, Singapore 238877, Tel: (+65) 6996 4999, www.lloydsmedical.com

The Clifford Clinic is a one stop center for all your dermatological, body and hair needs at 24 Raffles Place, #01-03 Clifford Centre, Singapore 048621, www.cliffordclinic.com 

Bio Aesthetic Medispa, multi award winning aesthetic medispa at Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road #03-01 Singapore 238871, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 83218642, www.bioaesthetic.com.sg

Read more: That Mama: Plastic Surgeon Dr. Karen Sng

Lead image credit: Getty  Brought to you in partnership with with the listed Aesthetic Clinics in Singapore

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