It's the same Botox, so why are the results different?

Hello! I am Kim Dong-hyun, the lead doctor at Sio Clinic.

I was reminded of a patient who visited Sio Clinic again after a month, so today I would like to share some information about Botox.

​

The patient came in a month ago for jaw Botox, but I recommended salivary gland Botox instead.

They had felt the effects of jaw Botox were always ambiguous, but they returned because they finally saw the proper results.

​

Botox is now a common procedure that everyone has heard of at least once.

Why do the effects differ depending on the person, the timing, and the clinic?

And how should the procedure be performed to get accurate results?

​

Many people consulting for Botox ask exactly what kind of procedure it is.

Let me start by explaining the principle behind how Botox works.

Botox is a drug that "suppresses muscle movement."

In other words, Botox helps limit muscle movement by making muscles move less, which helps reduce muscle size.

Therefore, it is typically effective for smoothing out shallow wrinkles or square jaws caused by muscles.

To explain a bit further,

Many of the wrinkles on our faces are created during the repetitive contraction process of muscles.

​

For example, using forehead muscles creates forehead wrinkles, and using glabellar muscles starts to create wrinkles between the eyebrows.

When you smile or frown, the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes contracts, causing wrinkles to fold.

​

Also, if you use your jaw a lot or occasionally grind your teeth, the jaw muscles can be overused, which can change the shape of your face.

In this case, Botox treatment helps by reducing muscle movement.

​

Ultimately, Botox is a procedure that makes wrinkles or lines smoother by reducing muscle movement.

If you prefer less muscle movement, then Botox is the right choice.

Where can Botox be injected?

Most areas with muscles can be treated with Botox.

For the purpose of smoothing wrinkles, representative areas include the forehead, glabella, eye area, and bridge of the nose; it is also possible to treat the chin wrinkles known as "pebble chin."

It is also used to reduce the size of muscles in areas such as the trapezius, calves, and upper arms, not just the face.

​

The key is not just "where to get Botox," but to act precisely on the area where "muscle movement is the problem."

To achieve this, the experience and fingertip sensitivity of the performing doctor are necessary, of course.

But when necessary, it is also essential to check the muscles under the skin with ultrasound to understand the thickness and location of muscles, which vary from person to person!

​

The patient who returned, as I mentioned earlier, was concerned about their jaw and said they had always received square jaw Botox.

After checking with ultrasound, I found that the patient had very large salivary glands, which is why I recommended salivary gland Botox instead of square jaw Botox.

Then, how long do the effects of Botox last?

Usually, it is known that Botox lasts for about 3 to 6 months, but the effects vary for everyone.

In some cases, there were patients whose results lasted over a year, and in others, it lasted less than 3 months.

Having performed over 10,000 Botox procedures in a year, I find that an average duration of 6 months is the most common.

​

The effects and durability vary depending on individual muscle mass, facial expression habits, constitution, and who performed the procedure and how :)

​

I think of Botox as a "procedure to design facial expressions."

That is why I check the location and thickness of muscles with ultrasound, but there are things I always check before the procedure.

What are the patient's facial expression habits?

What is the movement and direction of the muscles?

And what is the balance of the entire face?

​

If you are considering Botox, why not look in the mirror today

and think about where you need it while observing your facial expressions :)

​

Sio Clinic will also be a clinic that observes expressions and muscles more carefully than anyone else and performs procedures with delicacy.

​