Botox Treatment

Botox is an injectable treatment that works by controlled, temporary relaxation of the muscles behind repeated facial expressions, softening the dynamic wrinkles those movements create. It is most often used for the area between the brows, the forehead and the outer corners of the eyes. Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya tailors each treatment to the patient's own expression pattern, aiming for a natural look rather than a frozen one — a non-surgical option that fits easily around daily life.

The treatment usually takes 15-20 minutes and needs no anaesthetic, though cooling can be applied beforehand if preferred. The effect starts to show within a few days, with the full result visible within 1-2 weeks. How long it lasts varies from person to person but typically continues for a few months on average, with no special recovery period needed.

Botox is mainly considered for dynamic wrinkles linked to expression — frown lines between the brows, forehead lines and crow's feet. It is often discussed with patients concerned about facial lines and wrinkles, particularly lines that grow more noticeable with movement, usually developing gradually from repeated expressions such as smiling or frowning. By temporarily reducing the activity of the muscles involved, Botox softens how these lines appear without changing the skin's underlying structure or volume.

Botox can be considered for adults in good general health who are bothered by dynamic lines visible with expression. Planning is more straightforward for those wanting a natural look who are not worried about any loss of expression. Results tend to be more predictable when patients come in early, while lines still appear only during movement. Patients pleased with a previous treatment can also consider repeating it.

Botox is not advised during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in certain neuromuscular conditions, or where there is active infection at the injection site. In static lines still visible at rest, or lines from volume loss, Botox alone may not be enough, and dermal filler may be considered instead. For patients mainly concerned with pigmentation or sun-related uneven tone, a different treatment may be suggested at assessment.

Before treatment, your expression pattern, whether the lines are dynamic or static, and your general health are assessed. No separate diagnostic test is needed; this consultation determines the dose and areas to be treated, and which approach may suit you best — Botox alone, or alongside a dermal filler or a different method. You can book through the contact page.

Botox treatment at our clinic follows these steps:

1. 1Cleansing the Skin. The treatment area is cleansed, with light disinfection applied if needed.
2. 2Marking the Area and Dose. Based on the earlier assessment, the muscle groups and dose are determined and the area is marked.
3. 3Injection. Small doses are injected into the marked points using fine needles.
4. 4Review and Aftercare Advice. The area is checked after treatment and aftercare advice is explained.

Mild redness or minor bruising can appear at the injection site and usually clears quickly. Avoid pressing on the treated area or bending forward in the first few hours; most patients return to daily life the same day. Avoiding rubbing the area, lying down, or strenuous activity in this period can help reduce the chance of the effect spreading.

The effect usually becomes visible within 2-7 days, with a reduction seen in expression lines. The result is not permanent — muscle movement gradually returns after a few months on average, and how long it lasts varies from person to person. How natural the result looks is closely tied to the dose and the patient's own expression pattern.

Botox does not offer a permanent result, and repeat treatment is needed to maintain the effect. It does not correct static lines or sagging from volume loss; a dermal filler may suit these concerns better, and the same degree of effect should not be expected in every patient. It also does not change the skin's elasticity or tone; see our pigmentation spots page for those concerns.

Effects after Botox are generally temporary and vary in how often they occur. More common ones are short-lived symptoms at the injection site — mild redness, minor bruising or temporary swelling — that usually settle within a few days. Less common effects include headache and an asymmetric effect. Very rarely, temporary eyelid drooping has been reported; correct technique and dose selection help minimise this risk.

The effect of a Botox injection does not appear immediately; a reduction in muscle movement usually becomes noticeable within a few days, with the full effect generally settling within two to three weeks. How long it lasts varies from person to person but can be maintained for a few months on average, after which muscle movement gradually returns and the lines may reappear.

Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya prioritises a natural expression when performing Botox, tailoring the dose to each patient's own pattern of movement. Assessment considers your everyday expression habits, any previous treatment outcome, and your expectations together, aiming for a result that avoids the frozen look an excessive dose can cause. You can read more about the doctor on his own page.

For static lines or volume loss, dermal filler is worth considering; for overall skin texture, skin boosters/mesotherapy is an option. Mid- and lower-face sagging may call for a liquid facelift, roughness or texture concerns can be addressed with fractional CO2 laser, and RF microneedling supports firmness and collagen. Which suits your concern becomes clear at assessment; our which treatment is right for me guide offers an overview.

You can read our comparison of Botox versus dermal filler, our facial lines and wrinkles page, and the other treatments on our medical aesthetics hub. Pigmentation spots and other concerns are covered on their own pages.

We have a separate page comparing Botox with dermal filler, plus a combined table covering six treatments together, setting out where Botox tends to stand out and where another method may suit better. For patients who are unsure, these pages offer a general sense of direction; the final decision is confirmed at assessment.

Before treatment, lines that grow more visible with expression are often the main concern; once the effect sets in, a gradual reduction can be seen. The result changes over time as muscle movement returns, a natural part of the process. How noticeable the before-and-after difference looks depends on how deep the lines were and the dose used, so the same result should not be expected in every patient.

You can request an appointment to assess whether Botox suits your expression pattern. Your doctor will work with you to determine the treatment best suited to you.