Botox (Botulinum toxin )

Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective medication, with more than 80 years of research and medical application. Its use has been established both in aesthetic treatments and therapeutic fields, thanks to its ability to temporarily relax muscles.

It works by blocking the release of certain chemical substances that allow communication between nerves and muscles, thereby reducing muscle contraction. This results in the softening of dynamic wrinkles—such as expression lines on the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet—achieving a fresher and rejuvenated appearance while maintaining natural facial expressions.

  • Botulinum toxin is one of the most effective solutions to temporarily improve expression lines. The most common areas of application include:

    • Forehead

    • Frown lines (between the eyebrows)

    • Eye contour (crow’s feet)

    • Around the mouth

    Dynamic wrinkles appear due to the repeated movement of facial muscles. By relaxing these muscles, botulinum toxin not only softens existing lines but also helps prevent the formation of new wrinkles, avoiding skin breakdown over time.

    In younger skin, this treatment can also be used as a preventive measure to maintain a fresh and natural appearance for longer.

    How is the procedure performed?
    The application of botulinum toxin is done through microinjections into the muscles responsible for facial expressions. Results usually begin to appear between the second and fourth day, reaching their full effect within 10 to 15 days.

    A follow-up appointment is recommended around day 10 to perform any necessary touch-ups and ensure optimal results. The effects typically last 4 to 5 months, although the duration may vary depending on each person’s facial dynamics.

  • Bruxism is a very common disorder in which the masseter muscles —responsible for chewing— contract unconsciously, usually associated with stress and anxiety. This sustained tension can cause:

    • Constant jaw pain

    • Teeth grinding, especially at night

    • Limitation or discomfort while chewing

    • Progressive dental wear

    • Enlargement or hypertrophy of the facial muscles

    Botulinum toxin has become a highly effective treatment, as it relaxes the masseter muscles, reducing pain, decreasing teeth grinding, and preventing dental damage. In addition, it can help refine the facial contour in some patients.

  • Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which sweating is much greater than what is necessary to regulate body temperature. It usually begins in adolescence and can affect the confidence and quality of life of those who suffer from it, as it interferes with daily and social activities.

    Botulinum toxin is the most recommended treatment to control hyperhidrosis in the underarms, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, as it acts directly on the sweat glands and significantly reduces sweat production.

    Some of the criteria that help differentiate hyperhidrosis from normal sweating include:

    • Excessive sweating that interferes with daily activities

    • Bilateral and symmetrical appearance

    • Onset before the age of 25

    • Frequent episodes (at least once a week)

    • Family history

    • Absence of sweating during sleep

    Thanks to this treatment, patients are able to regain comfort, confidence, and security in their daily lives.

Microneedling

With very fine microneedles, tiny channels are created in the skin. These channels stimulate natural cell repair and allow active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and peptides to penetrate deeply, boosting their effects.”

Microneedling is highly effective for facial rejuvenation, improving acne scars, reducing dark spots, minimizing stretch marks, and even stimulating hair growth.

“Clinical studies show that after several sessions, skin texture and radiance can improve by 60 to 80%. Acne scars may be reduced by 50 to 70%, and up to 60% of patients report increased hair density

  • In microneedling treatments, different active ingredients are used to enhance results and promote skin regeneration. Peptides stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, improving firmness, while enzymes help remodel tissue and are especially useful for scars and stretch marks. Vitamins also play an important role: vitamin C works as an antioxidant and boosts luminosity, while vitamin A promotes cell renewal and refines skin texture. Minerals such as zinc, copper, and magnesium support repair processes, amino acids serve as building blocks for collagen and elastin, and hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration, adding volume and elasticity.

    Thanks to this combination, microneedling can be applied to different goals: facial rejuvenation, improving fine lines, sagging, and radiance; treatment of acne scars, by evening out the skin’s surface; and management of stretch marks, by stimulating regeneration and reorganizing dermal fibers.

    Sessions are usually performed every three to four weeks, and the number depends on the indication: three to six for rejuvenation, four to eight for acne scars, and a similar range for stretch marks, depending on their extent and duration.

  • In microneedling protocols for treating sunspots, the microchannels created by the procedure are used to enhance the penetration of depigmenting agents. The most commonly used ingredients include tranexamic acid (TXA), kojic acid, vitamin C, and retinoic acid, although others such as hydroquinone, niacinamide, or arbutin may also be employed depending on the patient’s needs.

    Tranexamic acid (TXA) is one of the most studied agents in combination with microneedling for melasma. Research shows that topical TXA applied with microneedling improves hyperpigmented lesions more effectively than either treatment alone. Kojic acid has also proven effective; a recent study evaluated the use of a 2% kojic acid serum after microneedling for melasma, showing positive results.

    Vitamin C, due to its antioxidant properties and ability to inhibit melanin production, is useful in these protocols. Studies combining microneedling with vitamin C and TXA demonstrated both safety and effectiveness for melasma management. Finally, retinoic acid has been used for epidermal melasma, improving pigmentation severity and promoting cell turnover.

    Frequency: Every 2–4 weeks depending on tolerance.

    Number of sessions: Typically 4–8 sessions, adjusted to pigmentation severity and skin type.

    Benefits: Lightens sunspots and melasma, evens out skin tone, improves overall radiance and texture.

    Precautions: Strict sun protection is mandatory; avoid excessive sun exposure. There is a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin types, so protocols must be customized.

  • In microneedling protocols for hair loss, several active ingredients are used to enhance follicle health and promote hair growth. Biomimetic peptides, such as GHK-Cu, are short chains of amino acids that stimulate cell regeneration and strengthen hair follicles by activating stem cells, leading to stronger, healthier hair.

    Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles containing proteins and growth factors, are applied to the scalp via microneedling. They activate follicular stem cells, improving hair density and growth, and are especially effective in androgenetic alopecia and other non-scarring hair loss conditions.

    Amino acids, essential for the synthesis of proteins like keratin, help strengthen follicles and improve hair quality when applied topically. Pharmaceutical agents such as topical minoxidil, a vasodilator that prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of hair, show greater effectiveness when combined with microneedling. Topical finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss. When applied topically alongside microneedling, absorption and efficacy are improved while minimizing systemic side effects compared to oral finasteride.

    Treatment protocols typically involve sessions every 2–4 weeks, depending on the severity of hair loss and patient response. A standard course may include 6–8 sessions, after which maintenance sessions are often scheduled every 3–6 months to sustain results and continue stimulating follicular activity.

    Overall, combining microneedling with these active agents provides a comprehensive approach to stimulate follicles, enhance hair density and quality, and promote scalp health. Professional evaluation is recommended to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual.