Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin injections at Petra Clinic are performed exclusively by licensed physicians and address dynamic wrinkles — lines formed by repetitive facial muscle movement — in the forehead, between the brows (frown lines), around the eyes (crow's feet), along the upper lip and in the neck. The toxin temporarily inhibits the nerve signals that cause specific muscles to contract, relaxing the overlying skin and softening the wrinkle over five to seven days. Results last four to six months; with regular treatments the muscles may weaken further, extending intervals between sessions. The treatment takes 10–20 minutes, requires no anaesthetic and has no downtime beyond a 4-hour no-lying restriction and avoiding rubbing the treated area.

Petra Clinic administers botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport or equivalent premium brands) by physician-only injection following a detailed consultation and facial anatomy assessment. Botulinum toxin type A works by cleaving the SNARE protein SNAP-25 at the neuromuscular junction, preventing acetylcholine release from motor nerve endings. Without acetylcholine the targeted muscle fibre cannot contract, producing localised and reversible muscle paralysis. When applied to the frontalis (forehead lines), corrugator supercilii and procerus (glabellar frown lines), or orbicularis oculi (crow's feet), the relaxation of these muscles reduces the skin folding that causes dynamic wrinkles. Because the toxin acts only at the targeted junction — not systemically — and the dose used cosmetically is many times below the systemic threshold, the procedure is considered highly safe when performed by trained physicians. Petra Clinic's physicians precisely map injection points based on each patient's unique musculature, facial symmetry and desired expression level. This anatomical personalisation reduces the risk of over-correction (frozen expression) or brow ptosis that can result from generic injection patterns. The treatment is performed without anaesthetic using ultra-fine 30-gauge needles; the small injection volume (0.02–0.05 ml per point) produces only brief needle discomfort. After the session clients should remain upright for four hours and avoid massaging the treated area to prevent diffusion to adjacent muscles. Full effect develops over five to seven days. The duration of action ranges from four to six months for most patients in the first year; with repeated treatments at the recommended interval of every five to six months, the underlying muscles often show reduced voluntary movement and the effect duration may extend to seven to nine months. The clinic also offers botulinum toxin for primary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the axillae, palms and feet, with a different dosing protocol and a duration of nine to fifteen months. Careful documentation of each patient's response and dose guides future sessions.