Botox is a brand name of Botulinum Toxin Type A.  The company which markets the brand Botox is Allergan, the leader in a production of Botulinum Toxin Type A.

Yes. Bacterium Clostridium Botulinum produces a neurotoxic protein which acts on the nerve endings.  There are other companies which produce Botulinum Toxin Type A, eg.  Ranbaxy under the brand name Neuronox,  Xeomin etc

Acetylcholine is secreted from the nerve endings which is responsible for movement and normal functions of the nerve.  When one injects Botox, the SNAP-25 receptor gets blocked and forms a SNARE complex. This causes inhibition of acetylcholine secretion and partially blocks the nerve. There is, hence, no movement or there is partial restriction of muscle movement which gives free fall and inhibits the wrinkles on the skin of the forehead and of the crow’s feet (on animation) giving the anti-aging appearance.

Anyone with multiple forehead lines on animation or in a dynamic position or anyone who gets a lot of wrinkles near the eye (crow’s feet) while giving certain expressions is a good candidate for a Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox).

Horizontal wrinkles or small wrinkles on the forehead, as well as around the eyes, during facial expressions is a very common problem, which one gets as early as the age of 35-40 years. Botox injections help temporarily get rid of these wrinkles which are produced on animation. It reduces the number of wrinkles or prevents them in the area of injection, thereby giving an anti-aging appearance.

Yes, they are both different. Botox is used where one gets dynamic lines- lines on the forehead and around the eyes on expression. On the other hand, a dermal filler is a volumizer. It increases the volume in the area of injection- where one has rhytids without expression at a static position. The best area to use a filler is laugh lines or to increase a volume of a lip.

Definitely not! There is no reaction like anaphylactic shock or any major morbidity and mortality noted with Botox. It is very safe but for best results, choose a Doctor with some clinical experience in injecting Botox for cosmetic uses and who practices the same regularly. 

Apart from a mild headache, sometimes for a day or two, there is no major side effect of the Botox. The anatomical site and quantity to inject Botox always depends on the surgeon.

One can start seeing the effects of Botox within a week.  A number of factors influence the duration for which the effect of Botox lasts.

Some of these factors are:

v  The amount of Botox injected?

v  The site of injection?

v  The number of wrinkles one gets in the area of injection?

v  Whether it’s the first time of injection or if the injections are done repeatedly?

v  The brand of Botulinum Toxin Type A that is being injected?

v  Experience of the injecting doctor?

v  Any underlying muscular pathology or muscle illness?

v  The effect of Botox usually lasts on an average of 3 to 4 months but can last up to 6 months if injected multiple times.

Botox is available in the form of a powder, which has to be diluted with saline to make it injectable. The dilution is variable depending on the surgeon’s preference and the injection is usually not too much painful.

Usually, 2.5 International units of Botox are diluted with 1ml of saline. At Dr Vaibhav Shah’s clinic, we prepare a more concentrated solution so that the effect is longer lasting and the desired result is achieved. Undoubtedly, the dexterity of the doctor while diluting and injecting it is very important.

Understanding the anatomy of face is essential for best results. Surgeons, General Practitioners, Nurses, Beauticians, anybody is able to inject Botox but someone well versed with the facial anatomy, like a Maxillofacial Surgeon, is the ideal choice to inject botulinum toxin or Botox, so as to prevent or minimize the complications caused due to incorrect site of injection.

o   Muscle hypertrophy

o   Mayofascial pain

o   Temporomandibular Joint pain

o   Drooping smile

o   Hyper-active mentalis muscle

o   Bunny nose

o   Loose platysma in the neck

Use of a vibration device which confuses the nerve endings while injecting Botox is the best tool to give the most pain free experience to the patient.

The cost depends on multiple factors, few are listed below:

The brand of the Botulinum Toxin?

The quantity to be injected?

The experience of the doctor?

Generally, it starts from 170 INR per unit. Hence, 100 International unit of a Botox will cost a minimum 17,500 INR. Price can go up to 300 INR per unit of Botox depending on the factors mentioned above. Offers of less than 170 INR per unit are practically not possible since that is only the material cost.