With huge marketing budgets, pharmaceutical giant Allergan has made Botox a household name as a panacea for wrinkles. Surgical or non-surgical facelifts can even be found in most aesthetic clinics in Singapore, which tends to be on the more conservative side.
Exposés of high-profile personalities and features in fictional productions have associated Botox with “younger-looking” smooth skin, as well as frozen expressions and dramatic surprised looks; forever cementing the drug in the public’s mind as a “wrinkle eraser”.
But what’s unknown is how Botox works and the relationship it has with wrinkles.
Botox wasn’t always a go-to solution for wrinkles. It has its roots firmly in the medical world. Derived from the neurotoxin botulinum toxin, Botox was originally developed in the late 1970s to treat medical conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) and blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking). During its medical applications, doctors noticed a surprising side effect—Botox seemed to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
In 2002, the U.S. FDA officially approved Botox for cosmetic use, particularly for the temporary smoothing of mild to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. This marked the beginning of Botox’s transition from a niche medical treatment to a cosmetic superstar.
Over the years, Botox’s popularity skyrocketed. Its popularity can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, it offers a noninvasive way to reduce wrinkles giving a more youthful facade, without the risks and healing time associated with surgical procedures. Its quick treatment time—sometimes as short as 15 minutes—makes it an easy addition to anyone’s beauty routine, earning it the nickname “lunchtime procedure.”
Furthermore, the influence of media and pop culture was a key player in boosting Botox’s status. High-profile celebrities and influencers have openly admitted to using it, further normalising Botox injections as part of modern beauty standards.
In Singapore, where people tend to be more conservative about cosmetic enhancements, Botox’s minimal downtime and subtle, natural results have made it especially appealing.
The connection between Botox and wrinkles lies in how the neurotoxin works. Wrinkles, particularly dynamic wrinkles like frown lines and crow’s feet, are caused by recurrent muscle contractions over time. Each time you smile, frown, or squint, these facial muscles contract, gradually leading to visible lines on the skin.
Botox temporarily paralyses these muscles. When injected into the skin, Botox inhibits nerve signals to the targeted muscles, preventing them from contracting. This relaxation of the muscles softens the look of wrinkles and prevents new ones from developing. By addressing the root cause—muscle movement—Botox has cemented itself as the ultimate wrinkle eraser.
Our first wrinkles appear when we smile, frown, and make other facial expressions.
In fact, every single time you move a facial muscle, a microscopic groove forms under the surface of the skin. Little by little, this adds up to something more visible to the naked eye. Hence its categorisation under Dynamic Wrinkles.
Then comes ultraviolet (UV) damage, smoking, lack of hydration, genetics, gravity, other environmental factors, and even some medicines can result in wrinkle formation. Wrinkles formed as a result of these factors are typically categorised as Static Wrinkles.
Here we share a little wisdom on the types of wrinkles and how they can be treated.
Wrinkles are creases, folds, or ridges on the skin. They are part of the natural aging process. As we get older, our skin becomes drier, thinner, and also loses its elasticity and the ability to protect itself from damage.
Crows’ Feet, Frown Lines, Smoker’s Lips, are some examples of dynamic wrinkles. At a young age, our skin is able to spring back into position easily after mov ing. But as we age, our skin loses its elasticity, resulting in these dynamic lines appearing. What you can do:
Consider Botox treatment once you start noticing that your skin does not bounce back into the position quickly or if these dynamic lines take longer to go away. The idea here is to reduce the action of these muscles with Botox in Singapore; enough not to cause a deep crease from forming while maintaining your natural expressions.
These can appear just about anywhere on the skin and are present when we keep a neutral expression. They are a result of the natural aging process, as the skin structures deteriorate or when we lose volume in our skin. What you can do:
Sun protection is paramount as a preventive measure. You can also speak to the doctor in any aesthetic clinic in Singapore about laser treatments or filler injections to correct any existing static lines.
Smoothen out your wrinkles with Clear + Brilliant Laser.
Lighten deep lines with face fillers that can be found in many aesthetic clinics in Singapore!
Botox injection offers a multitude of benefits for people who want to combat signs of ageing. Its effectiveness at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is well known, with visible results typically seen within 3 to 4 days of treatment. The effects last three to six months, offering a temporary but impactful solution to ageing skin.
Another reason people opt for Botox is its precision. Unlike creams or serums that treat the entire face, Botox can be targeted to areas where wrinkles are most prominent. This level of control allows for natural-looking results that can be adjusted to individual preferences, leaving the skin smooth but not overly frozen.
Moreover, for those who are hesitant to commit to a more permanent solution like surgery, Botox serves as a safe and temporary option. With its long track record of use and minimal side effects, Botox remains one of the most trusted and accessible anti-ageing treatments available today.
[18 Mar 2021] A blog post by Dr. Gabriel Wong
Having graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine – Dr Gabriel Wong worked in several hospitals in Singapore where he honed his medical acumen.
Fate was at work when he met Dr Kelvin Chua, which sparked his interest in aesthetic medicine.
Growing from strength to strength under the tutelage of Dr Chua, Gabriel developed an eye for detail and beauty – perfectly in tune with aesthetic medicine, a confluence of art and science.
He applies this in a range of non-invasive procedures such as Botox treatments, soft tissue augmentation (Dermal Fillers with the Cannula Method), skin rejuvenation with lasers (Fotona5D Laser Lift), and effective acne and acne scar treatments (Fractional CO2 Laser, subcision).
In his free time, Gabriel loves to travel in search of that perfect snapshot. His works of art have won praises by many patients.
For more information, write to contact@slclinic.com.sg.
To contact Dr Gabriel Wong, write to gabriel@slclinic.com.sg.
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