Botox

What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and others) temporarily blocks the signal between nerves and the small facial muscles that create dynamic wrinkles — the lines that appear when you frown, raise your eyebrows, or squint. Within 3-7 days, those muscles soften; within 14 days the result is visible. The nerve signal returns gradually over 3-4 months and the muscle slowly resumes activity. In Istanbul, full upper-face Botox costs €350-€600 with licensed physicians using certified Allergan, Galderma or Merz products.

What it does and doesn't do

Botox is excellent for forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, crow's feet around the eyes, bunny lines on the nose, and gummy smile correction. It's also useful for jaw slimming via masseter injection, neck banding (Nefertiti lift), and excessive sweating in the underarms or palms. It's not a filler — it doesn't add volume. It doesn't fix sun damage, deep static wrinkles or sagging skin.

The big change in modern aesthetics is dosage: less is more. Modern injectors use smaller doses placed precisely, often beginning treatment in patients in their late 20s or early 30s as preventive Botox ("baby Botox"). The result is movement that looks natural — friends notice you look fresher, not that you've had Botox.

Who is it for?

Patients with dynamic wrinkles from forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, bunny lines, gummy smile, jaw bulk from the masseter muscles, or neck banding are good candidates. Many patients in their late 20s or early 30s now begin treatment proactively as preventive Botox to stop deep wrinkles from forming. Botox is not a solution for sun damage, deep static wrinkles, or sagging skin, and does not add volume.

Procedure process

The treatment itself takes 10-15 minutes. Tiny needles are used with a mild pinprick sensation, and no anaesthesia is needed. Modern injectors use smaller doses placed precisely for a natural result, rather than the heavier, more frozen-looking dosing of a decade ago.

After the procedure

You can return to work the same day. Avoid lying flat, intense exercise, and rubbing the treated areas for 4 hours. First effect appears at day 3-5, with the full result visible at day 14. For most patients, the effect lasts 3-4 months; with consistent treatment over years, the muscle "learns" to be less active and intervals can stretch slightly.

Risks

Real complications are rare in trained hands: temporary asymmetry, droopy eyelid (ptosis), or a heavy brow if injected incorrectly. Higher doses can last longer but also produce a more frozen look, which is why experienced injectors prefer dosing for natural movement. The biggest risk in any market is unlicensed injectors using counterfeit product — in Istanbul, always confirm your provider is a licensed physician using certified Allergan, Galderma, or Merz products.

Related procedures

Botox is often combined with facial mesotherapy and jawline contouring (masseter slimming) as part of a broader treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions