What Is Botox Wrinkle Treatment?
When we smile, frown or look surprised, our facial muscles contract and lines form on the skin. These lines are called expression lines. Over the years, as the same movements are repeated thousands of times and the skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, these lines can become visible even when the face is at rest.
In Botox treatment, botulinum toxin is injected in very small doses into the muscles that cause the lines. The muscle’s ability to contract is temporarily reduced, so the lines above it soften. The aim is not to stop the muscle completely, but to balance an overactive one.
Botox works especially well on dynamic lines, meaning lines that form with movement. It may not be enough on its own for deep lines that are visible even at rest; in that case, additional treatments that support skin quality may be considered.
Which Areas Are Treated, and Who Is It Suitable For?
- Forehead lines: Horizontal lines that form when you raise your eyebrows.
- Frown lines: Vertical lines between the eyebrows that become more visible when you frown and can give the face a tired or stern look.
- Crow’s feet: Fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes that form when you smile.
- Based on the doctor’s assessment: Selected situations such as lines at the bridge of the nose, a slight lift of the outer eyebrow, or an orange-peel texture on the chin.
It may be a suitable option for adults who are bothered by expression lines, are in good general health and have realistic expectations. Age alone does not decide whether treatment is appropriate; the depth of the lines and your expression habits are evaluated at the consultation.
How Is the Treatment Performed?
- At the consultation, your face is examined both at rest and while making expressions; your medical history and the medications you take are reviewed.
- Your expectations are discussed, and the areas to be treated and the dose are decided together.
- The skin is cleaned and disinfected; cold is applied for comfort if needed.
- Small amounts are injected at the planned points with a very fine needle. The procedure usually takes 10–20 minutes.
- A follow-up visit is recommended after about two weeks; a small dose adjustment can be made if needed.
What Should You Keep in Mind Afterward?
- It is recommended that you do not lie down and do not keep your head bent forward for long periods during the first 4 hours.
- Do not massage or rub the treated area; avoid wearing a tight headband or hat throughout the day.
- Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, steam baths and intense heat for the first 24 hours.
- You can usually return to makeup after a few hours, applying it gently.
- The full effect can take up to two weeks to settle; the result should not be judged before then.
Possible Side Effects and Who Should Not Have It
Mild redness, small bumps, tenderness and bruising may occur at the injection points; these usually resolve within hours or a few days. Some people may have a mild headache in the first days. More rarely, drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, or asymmetry between the two sides, may develop; these effects are also temporary and fade within weeks.
Treatment is not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if there is an active infection in the treatment area, in neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis, or in the case of a known allergy to botulinum toxin. Medications such as certain antibiotics and blood thinners can affect the assessment, so they must be mentioned.
Dr. Fulya Koç’s Approach
Dr. Fulya Koç often asks a question: is the goal to look younger, or to age more slowly? With Botox, the aim is not to imitate the face you had a few years ago, but to help you look fresher and more rested while keeping your expressions. For this reason, balanced doses that preserve expression are usually preferred over unnecessarily high ones.
Botox does not change skin quality on its own. Sun protection, sleep, nutrition and steps that support skin health are discussed as part of the plan. Treatment intervals are also decided according to what your face needs at that moment, not according to an automatic repeat schedule.
Fulya Koç
Frequently asked questions
When it is applied to the right areas at an appropriate dose, your expressions are preserved and only the lines soften. A frozen look is usually associated with high doses. The dose is chosen together with you, based on how much of your expression you want to keep.
There is no set starting age. The decision depends on how visible the lines are, your expression habits and your skin structure. At a younger age, a preventive approach with low doses may be considered only if the lines are starting to stay visible even at rest.
The first effects are usually noticed within 3–7 days, and the result becomes more noticeable at about two weeks. For this reason the follow-up visit is also planned for around two weeks.
Pressing on the area or keeping the head down for a long time in the first hours may increase the chance of the product spreading to muscles that were not targeted. For this reason, it is recommended to stay upright and avoid touching the area for the first 4 hours after treatment.
The information on this page is general. Whether the treatment suits you, its possible risks and the results you can expect are assessed individually at your consultation. Results vary from person to person. Image is illustrative.
