Key takeaways
- Botox relaxes the specific muscles that create expression lines; it does not fill, freeze or change your features when it is dosed well.
- First effects appear in 2 to 5 days, the full result at about 2 weeks, and it usually lasts 3 to 4 months.
- Beyond wrinkles, it is an established medical treatment for excessive sweating, chronic migraine and teeth grinding.
- Side effects are usually mild and temporary; choosing a trained medical injector is the single most important safety decision.
What is Botox?
Botox is the best-known brand of botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein used in medicine for more than 30 years. Injected in tiny, precise amounts, it temporarily blocks the signal between a nerve and the muscle it controls, so that muscle relaxes.
In aesthetic medicine this matters because many lines are dynamic: they are carved by repeated movement, such as frowning, squinting or raising the eyebrows. Relax the muscle and the skin above it creases less, so the line softens and, over time, stops deepening.
Brand names. Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and other products all contain botulinum toxin type A. They are not interchangeable unit for unit, which is why dosing should always be planned by a doctor.
What can Botox treat?
Aesthetic uses
- Frown lines (the “11s” between the brows), the first aesthetic use approved by the US FDA in 2002.
- Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes and forehead lines.
- Platysma bands, the vertical cords of the neck, an FDA-approved indication since 2024.
- Selected areas such as a gummy smile, a dimpled chin or downturned mouth corners, when your doctor judges them suitable.
Medical uses
- Excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis), with results lasting around 6 months or more in clinical trials.
- Chronic migraine prevention, using a specific injection protocol.
- Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (bruxism), treating the masseter muscle.
AT VICTORIA AESTHETICS
Botox, planned by a doctor
Face mapping at rest and in motion, a dose planned for your muscles, and a review at two weeks.
Women from SCR 3,200 for one area · 2 areas SCR 5,200 · Upper face SCR 6,125 · Full face SCR 6,800 · Men from SCR 4,100
What happens during treatment?
- Consultation. Your medical history, medications and goals, and whether Botox is the right tool for your lines.
- Face mapping. We watch you frown, smile and raise your brows to place each injection point.
- Treatment. About 10 to 15 minutes of very fine injections. No anaesthesia is usually needed.
- Review. We check the result at around two weeks, once it has fully settled.
When will I see results, and how long do they last?
| Time after treatment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Small marks or mild redness at the injection points, usually gone within hours. |
| Days 2–5 | The first softening as the treated muscles begin to relax. |
| About 2 weeks | The full result. This is when we review it with you. |
| 3–4 months | Movement gradually returns. Many people repeat treatment two to three times a year. |
Duration varies with the dose, the area, muscle strength and metabolism. Men often need a higher dose because their facial muscles are usually stronger.
Myths and facts
“Botox will freeze my face.”
A frozen look comes from overtreatment, not from Botox itself. Well-planned doses soften lines while keeping natural expression.
“Once I stop, my wrinkles will get worse.”
When the effect wears off, movement returns gradually to where it was. Lines do not rebound beyond your starting point.
“Botox is a filler.”
Botox relaxes muscles; dermal fillers restore volume. They treat different problems and are often combined.
“It is only for older people.”
Many people start in their thirties to stop dynamic lines from setting in, which is why it is often called preventive.
Is Botox safe?
In trained medical hands, botulinum toxin has a long and well-documented safety record. The doses used in aesthetic medicine are very small.
Common, temporary side effects include redness, a small bruise or a mild headache. Less commonly, product can affect a nearby muscle and cause a heavy brow or a drooping eyelid for a few weeks, which is why precise placement matters.
Botox is not suitable, or needs extra care, if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding;
- have a neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis;
- have an infection or inflamed skin at the injection site;
- take certain antibiotics or other medicines that interact with it, or have had a reaction to a toxin product before.
Before and after your treatment
- Tell us about every medication and supplement you take. Where your doctor agrees, avoid blood-thinning supplements beforehand to limit bruising.
- For about 4 hours afterwards, stay upright and do not rub or massage the treated area.
- Skip the gym, sauna and strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Does Botox hurt?
Most people describe a quick pinch. The needles are very fine and treatment takes only a few minutes.
Can I go back to work straight away?
Yes. Most people return to normal activities immediately, avoiding exercise and lying down for a few hours.
What is the right age to start?
There is no fixed age. It depends on how visible your dynamic lines are and on your goals, which we assess at consultation.
Can Botox be combined with other treatments?
Yes. It is often combined with skin boosters, fillers or energy-based treatments for a fuller rejuvenation plan.
How much does Botox cost in Seychelles?
At Victoria Aesthetics, treatment for women starts from SCR 3,200 for one area, SCR 5,200 for two areas and SCR 6,800 for the full face. Men’s prices start from SCR 4,100. Your exact price is confirmed at consultation, which costs SCR 900 and is deductible from your treatment.
References
- Carruthers JD, Lowe NJ, Menter MA, et al. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of glabellar lines. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46(6):840–849.
- Flynn TC. Botulinum toxin: examining duration of effect in facial aesthetic applications. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(3):183–199.
- Lowe NJ, Glaser DA, Eadie N, et al. Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: a 52-week multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(4):604–611.
- Aurora SK, Dodick DW, Turkel CC, et al. OnabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of chronic migraine: results from the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase of the PREEMPT 1 trial. Cephalalgia. 2010;30(7):793–803.
- Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K. The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853–861.
- US Food and Drug Administration. BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) prescribing information, including platysma band indication (2024).
