10 Botulinum myths cleared up

1. Botulinum is a dangerous neurotoxin

Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in the absence of air and is a neurotoxin. However, the botulinum used in aesthetic medicine is extremely low-dose and processed so that the risks and dangers are minimal. As always, it is the quality of the product that counts.

2. Botulinum anesthetizes the muscles

Botulinum toxin inhibits the transmission of excitation from the nerve cells to the muscle, resulting in reduced muscle activity. There is no “anesthesia”.

3. Botulinum is addictive

There is no physical dependence on botulinum. If the treatment and the result are satisfactory, patients would like to maintain this improved condition. They therefore enjoy the great treatment result. If a patient wants further treatments too quickly, even though they may not be necessary from an aesthetic-medical point of view, it is up to an honest and well-trained doctor to guide the patient.

4. Botulinum leads to a rigid facial expression

The quality of the product also plays an important role here. It is very easy to control how much motor activity remains in the treated muscle area and HY STUDIO stands for natural results, which can be achieved excellently with the high-quality product.

5. Botulinum poisons the whole body

The botulinum diffuses approx. 1 cm around the injection site. There is a recent study that botulinum in larger doses can even have a positive effect on mood and is used for personality disorders (Tillmann H.C. Kruger et al., Scientific Reports, 2022). Other muscles are not affected.

6. If the doctor makes a mistake, permanent paralysis can occur

The effect of the botulinum injected lasts for 4-6 months and is completely broken down. This means that there can be no permanent changes in motor function.

7. Hyaluron is better than Botulinum

Here we have two mainstays of aesthetic treatment: botulinum and hyaluronic acid. Neither is better than the other because they should be individually selected and sometimes combined for very different indications and areas of application.

8. One can be immune to Botulinum

In very few cases, an antibody reaction to the injected botulinum toxin has been reported in the literature. This can lead to a weakened effect of the botulinum. However, there are preparations which, due to their structure, are also effective in such cases of antibody formation. (Source: Website of the German Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery)

9. Botulinum helps against headaches

Treatment with botulinum toxin is not an alternative to painkillers for acute headaches. However, it can and is used in neurology to prevent chronic migraine headaches by utilizing the muscle-relaxing effect and preventing the development of muscle tension in the neck and skull area.

10. I can no longer feel my face after an injection

Botulinum has no effect on skin sensation. After the first treatment, it may feel strange to tense the treated muscle area, as this is followed by reduced muscle activity, but the sensation of touch is unaffected.