What is botulinum toxin (Botox)?
What is botulinum toxin (Botox)?
Botox is a brand name of a substance derived from botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin that causes muscles to weaken. This substance is commonly used in small doses for various purposes, including the reduction of wrinkles and for facial contouring. Botulinum toxin works by blocking the nerve signals that tell muscles to contract. As the muscles no longer receive such signals, they are temporarily weakened, helping to smooth out wrinkles and treat certain other conditions.
What is masseter Botox?
Masseter Botox is a process in which botulinum toxin is injected into the masseter, a muscle on the side of your jaw that is responsible for chewing. This muscle, as with any muscle, can be overworked, causing it to become weak and potentially to sag. When the botulinum toxin is injected, the masseter muscle is temporarily weakened, which will help to slim the appearance of the jaw. Masseter Botox is most often used as a form of facial contouring, giving the jawline a sharper and angled appearance. However, in some cases, it can also be used to treat conditions such as teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How can Botox be used to treat sweaty armpits?
Sweating is induced when the nervous system is triggered by an increase in body temperature. However, some individuals suffer from overactive sweat glands, which causes excessive sweating in areas such as the armpits. This can be difficult to manage in daily life, as it may produce body odours and stain clothing. Botulinum toxin injections can be an effective solution to treat sweaty armpits. When botulinum toxin is injected into the armpits, the toxin effectively paralyses the overactive nerves that cause sweating, preventing your sweat glands from being signalled and halting sweating in the area.
What is the process for a Botox injection?
Regardless of the purpose of injection, the procedure remains the same. As the injection is a relatively simple process, the treatment can be done within our surgeon’s office. During the procedure, a topical cream may be applied to reduce the discomfort experienced during the procedure. Small amounts of botulinum toxin will be injected into the relevant areas of your face, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and contour the face. For treatment of sweaty armpits, injections are made into several points in the axillary skin. After the procedure, you may return to your normal daily activities.
Are there any side effects associated with botulinum toxin injections?
Some swelling and pain are normal side effects and should dissipate within a week.
What should I take note of after the injection?
It is advisable to avoid rubbing or agitating the injected area for 24 hours after the injection, as this may result in the toxin spreading to other parts of the face that were not intended to receive the injection. This may cause complications in the appearance of your face and unwanted weakness in the muscles. The results of the injection take around 3 days to be visible and usually last around 6 months.
Skin Care
Skin Care
What skin care treatments are offered at our clinic?
At WC Ong Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, various skin care treatments are available. These include:
- Acne treatment
- Skin brightening
- Skin rejuvenation and toning
- Chemical peels
Skin care treatments may be suitable for individuals facing certain skin related conditions, such as severe acne, pigmentation, wrinkles, scarring etc. Skin care is also used as an adjunct treatment to some of the facial aesthetic surgery we perform.
Wound care and scar management
Wound care and scar management
At WC Ong Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, we provide specialized surgical expertise and advanced wound management for both adult and paediatric patients.
At WC Ong Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, we provide specialized surgical expertise and advanced wound management for both adult and paediatric patients.
Types of wounds:
Acute wounds - Lacerations, Burns
Chronic wounds (non-healing ulcers), poor healing surgical wounds
Wounds that do not heal after a certain period of time may have underlying conditions
that contribute to the poor wound healing. Infection, high bacterial load, poor vascular
supply, presence of unhealthy tissues are all possible contributing factors. Advanced
wound therapy, specialized dressings and appropriate surgical treatment can help to
hasten the healing of such wounds.
Infected wounds
Infected wounds often require surgical treatment (debridement) together with appropriate antibiotics. Such wounds may require a period of specialized dressings before they can be closed or fully heal.
