Botulinum Toxin is a medical treatment first used in the 90s to treat expression wrinkles between the eyebrows. Thanks to the naturality of its results and the wide margin of safety which characterize it, it has quickly gained popularity between both doctors and patients.
The “Studio Medico Associato Bartoletti” (Associated Bartoletti Medical Practice), is a Reference Center known for treatments using botulinum toxing.
Its use in Aesthetic Medicine is authorized by both the strict U.S. FDA and European regulatory bodies. The current method used is accepted by the scientific community and allows for achieving results with an optimal compromise between duration and naturalness.
From a technical standpoint, botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is a drug that, when injected into a muscle, has the ability to reduce its contraction. This effect has a fairly constant duration of about 3-4 months, after which the muscle returns to its initial condition, with no residual effects. The therapeutic utility of this toxin is well-documented in conditions characterized by muscle hypercontraction (such as spasticity, strabismus, blepharospasm, or hemifacial spasm) and glandular hypersecretion disorders like hyperhidrosis. In Aesthetic Medicine, botulinum toxin is used to correct facial expression wrinkles (especially those in the upper third of the face: periocular, glabellar, and forehead wrinkles). The muscle-relaxing action of botulinum toxin makes wrinkles less noticeable and prevents their worsening, extending the duration of fillers, whose corrective effect is reduced by the contraction of local muscles that accelerate their degradation.
Over time, accumulated experience has shown us that the most striking result of this therapy is not the disappearance of wrinkles but the constant improvement in the person's facial expression, making them appear serene and rested.
The treatment involves intramuscular injections of a small amount of toxin, using a very fine needle, in the periocular region, forehead, and between the eyebrows. It can be performed 2 to 3 times a year, depending on individual needs.
It's important, on the day of the treatment, to avoid massaging the upper third of the face, bending down, wearing a helmet, or engaging in physical activities.
The effect of the toxin is not immediate but becomes noticeable after 3-4 days and fully defined after about 10 days. After this period, a follow-up visit is usually scheduled to correct any asymmetries.
Thanks to the natural result achievable, the ability to treat imperfections that cannot be corrected in other ways, its safety margin (the widest in Aesthetic Medicine), and the absolute safety of the drug, botulinum toxin has become, especially in recent years, a popular choice in the field of aesthetic medicine.
Botulinum Toxin Treatment For Hyperhidrosis
Sweating is a physiological phenomenon regulated by our autonomic nervous system. When it occurs excessively in certain areas of the body, it's referred to as hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis is the most common form, and its cause is unknown. It can be triggered by emotional factors. Secondary hyperhidrosis is associated with certain medical conditions or organ dysfunctions such as obesity, infections, malignant neoplasms, thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, and other endocrine diseases, as well as neurological problems.
Hyperhidrosis most frequently affects the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis) but can also occur in other areas of the body like the armpits or feet. The degree of sweating varies and can be severe, sometimes leading to dripping sweat. In some cases, excessive sweating can also be malodorous, referred to as bromhidrosis.
From a relational perspective, hyperhidrosis can cause embarrassment and have a negative impact on one's psychological well-being, especially in severe cases. The condition typically begins in adolescence and often persists throughout life, affecting social interactions negatively.
Antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride are often used topically to treat hyperhidrosis, but the results are not always satisfactory.
Botulinum toxin, which has been used for this purpose for several years now, can reduce excessive sweating by inhibiting sweat glands. The treatment has no contraindications or side effects. Botulinum toxin is injected subcutaneously using micro-injections spaced approximately 1.5 cm apart on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or in the armpits, sometimes with the use of local anesthesia. The effect becomes noticeable within two or three days and lasts for several months before gradually wearing off. On average, the inhibition of sweat glands persists for about 8 months. When the effect diminishes, the treatment can be repeated.