What’s the Difference Between Botulinum Toxin and Meso-Botulinum?

It is easy to understand why many doctors and patients trust Botulinum Toxin for smoothing wrinkles. Apart from it being safe and effective (backed by years of research and US FDA-approved for three areas), the neurotoxin can also give you a rejuvenated appearance and even boost your self-esteem.

Typically, Botulinum Toxin is injected into the muscles to weaken the facial muscles and smooth the wrinkles. It can, however, be injected superficially in a procedure called Meso-Botulinum. The goal of this technique is not to completely smooth out wrinkles, but to give the skin a refreshed, shine-free, and glowing appearance. 

Continue reading as we discuss more about Botulinum Toxin and how it works differently when it is injected superficially or into the top layer of the skin. 

Fast facts about Botulinum Toxin Cosmetic

• It is used to smooth lines and wrinkles formed due to repetitive facial expressions
• Botulinum Toxin is a neuromodulator made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. 
• It is US FDA-approved for three treatment areas: forehead, frown lines (between the brows), and crow’s feet (lines in the corner of the eyes). 
• Botulinum Toxin works by blocking the signal from a nerve to a muscle, which temporarily paralyzes the muscles responsible for wrinkles.
• The initial effects can be seen after three to four days, but full results appear after 14 days. 
• It generally lasts for three to four months, but can be longer (up to six months) in some patients.

Botulinum Toxin and natural-looking results

Botulinum Toxin is safe, effective, and can give you natural-looking results provided that you get the treatment from a certified and experienced injector. Less is also more with this neurotoxin, which is why you should start with minimal doses, especially if it’s your first-time getting Botulinum Toxin. 

Those who are hesitant to get the treatment are mostly worried about looking plastic or frozen. This can happen, only if you skimp on Botulinum Toxin (heavy discounts/too good to be true deals), go to an unqualified injector, or if your provider used too much Botulinum Toxin during a treatment. Check out our previous post for tips on how to avoid bad Botulinum Toxin.

What is Meso-Botulinum?

As previously mentioned, Meso-Botulinum is a technique for injecting Botulinum Toxin (or similar products) superficially all over the face. As it isn’t injected into the muscles, this means that it won’t affect the facial muscles or control your facial expressions. It won’t temporarily weaken or freeze the muscles to get rid of lines and wrinkles

The procedure involves injecting smaller doses of Botulinum Toxin into the surface layer of the skin. The neurotoxin targets only the skin or the layer where sebum production, acne, and facial redness occur. Also, a small amount is used but there are more injection sites than traditional Botulinum Toxin.

As the botulinum toxin is injected into the skin’s top layer, it won’t completely get rid of wrinkles. It will, however, help tighten pores or make them look smaller and reduce sebum production and skin redness, which could translate to fewer acne or breakouts. This can then make the skin clearer and smoother. 

Benefits of Meso-Botulinum include:

• Shrinks pores or reduces the look of enlarged pores
• Decreases oil/sebum production
• Smooths and tightens the skin
• Reduces facial redness
• Diminishes scarring
• Makes the skin glow

The results of Meso-Botulinum last about three to four months, the same as regular Botulinum Toxin. You can choose to have repeat treatments to maintain desired results. Temporary redness may be seen after the injection, but this subsides within hours. 

Which is right for me: Botulinum Toxin or Meso-Botulinum?

The answer depends on your beauty needs and goals. If you, for instance, have deep or prominent wrinkles that make you look angry, serious, or tired (even when you’re not), Botulinum Toxin is worth considering. It can effectively smooth out those pesky lines, so you can look refreshed and stop giving off an impression of anger or frustration.

If you, however, are looking to reduce pore size and decrease facial sweating (to stop your face from looking so oily or shiny), Meso-Botulinum may be the right treatment. With this injection technique and a wider distribution of Botulinum Toxin throughout your face, you can also expect immediate facial smoothness and younger-looking skin.  

Mind where you get your treatment

Make sure to only get Botulinum Toxin or Meso-Botulinum from a qualified provider, performed in a clinical setting. Avoid regular spas and salons, as well as people who offer heavy discounts or too good to be true prices. Look for a medical aesthetic doctor who has years of experience administering Botulinum Toxin and related procedures like Meso-Botulinum. 

At Cutis, our medical and scientific director, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, is a US-Board certified physician and Harvard-trained. She also has years of administering cosmetic injectables and prefers a natural look for her patients. 

One of the many testaments to her commitment to delivering quality aesthetic services is her recent win in the 2022 Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC). Dr. Sylvia won the best clinical case in the “Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation” category, beating numerous finalists from different countries. 

Are you considering Botulinum Toxin or Meso-Botulinum to have refreshed and glowing skin? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to learn more about both procedures and our clinic’s other non-surgical anti-aging treatments.