Botox for expression lines, migraine and muscle tension

Botox is a purified protein that relaxes the muscle it is injected into. Many facial lines come from repeated movement, such as squinting or frowning, and relaxing the muscle behind a line lets the skin above it smooth out. The same muscle-relaxing effect is used medically for chronic migraine and tight muscles.

The effect on muscles

1. 1InjectionA small amount is placed into a specific muscle with a very fine needle.
2. 2Signal blockedBotox blocks the nerve signal that tells the muscle to contract.
3. 3Muscle relaxesThe muscle can no longer tighten as strongly.
4. 4Lines softenSkin over the muscle creases less and lines fade.

Common treatment areas

1. 1Forehead and frown lines
2. 2Crow's feet
3. 3Bunny lines
4. 4Marionette lines

Bunny lines are the small creases on the sides of the nose that show when you scrunch it. Crow's feet fan out from the outer corners of the eyes. Marionette lines run down from the corners of the mouth. Forehead and frown lines form above and between the brows.

Timeline of results

1. Day 0TreatmentAppointments are short and most people return to their day straight after.
2. Days 2 to 5First changesThe treated muscles begin to relax.
3. About 2 weeksFull effectLines look their smoothest.
4. 3 to 4 monthsGradual returnMovement comes back slowly and treatment can be repeated.

Typical timings. They vary from person to person and by area.

Botox and dermal fillers

Botox and fillers are often mentioned together, and they do different jobs. Botox relaxes muscles, which helps with lines that appear when you make an expression. Fillers add volume under the skin, which helps with deeper creases and areas that have lost fullness. Most dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the skin.

	Botox	Dermal filler
Softens lines caused by movement	Yes	No
Adds volume	No	Yes
Fills deeper creases visible at rest	No	Yes
Time to see results	2 days to 2 weeks	Straight away

Some people benefit from both. Your Nurse will look at how your face moves and at rest before recommending either.

Therapeutic Botox

Botox is approved in Canada to help prevent chronic migraine in adults. For migraine it is injected at set points around the head and neck, and treatment is repeated at regular intervals.

It can also relax tight, overworked muscles in the upper back and shoulders, which some people carry as constant tension. Treatment for pain starts with an assessment of your symptoms and health history.

Your consultation

Every injectable treatment at Mina's starts with a free consultation with our Nurse. You can ask questions, talk through the areas that bother you and get a price before deciding anything.