Botox Injection Treatment for Men

Brotox! As you probably may have guessed, it’s botox… for bros 😃!

Since its original approval in 1989 by the FDA for medical treatments such as migraine relief, eye twitch, cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms), lazy eye, hyperhidrosis and bladder dysfunction, the use of botulinum toxin injections has become widely popularized for the practice of wrinkle reduction.

By “relaxing” the muscle using a toxin called botulinum toxin, wrinkles become temporarily smoother, softening the overall appearance of the face, neck and décolleté. Injections are primarily done on areas around the eyes and forehead, however, areas such as the neck and décolleté may be injected by a skilled professional as well to achieve smooth skin.

For a long time, most newcomers to the cosmetic injection world have been afraid of appearing “frozen” as a result of the treatment. Because of this, many refrained from getting it done altogether. It was an understandable uncertainty of not wanting to go back to work or one’s social life looking like a completely different person.

Related article: Are Botox Injections Effective and Safe?

However, over time, this fear has been contradicted by many qualified professionals in the medical aesthetics industry. Thanks to this, more people have come out of their shells and are now confident enough to undergo Botox injections to appear their best. Because of this, it’s only until recently that cosmetic injectable treatments such as Botox have become common with the male population. 

Since its recent worldwide popularization for men, many male celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon of the wonderful world of cosmetic injections, thus contributing to the start of Brotox!

Although, despite its tremendous popularity in recent years, it may surprise you that B(r)otox for cosmetic purposes has only been on the market for 17 years, and since its release in 2002, many competitive brand names with similar chemical compounds have been released as well. 

These brands include:

• Dysport (second most popular to Botox)
• Myobloc
• Xeomin

This means that the treatment we commonly refer to as “Botox” isn’t called that at all, but we refer to it by the brand name which started it all. Although most cosmetic injection veterans opt for the original brand, many people have different preferences, some swearing by Dysport, and others gravitating towards Myobloc. The result is almost always narrowed down to personal preference.

When it comes to Brotox for men, the procedure may actually conclude to be much more natural in appearance than Botox for women. The reason for this is simple; men are naturally born with thicker skin (literally), meaning more product is required to achieve optimal results. This fact proves to be a positive and not-so-positive one. On the bright side, there is less room for error when it comes to Brotox, but on the other hand, more product means that the procedure cost may be higher than that of a woman’s injection treatment. This also means that touch-up treatments may be required more regularly to maintain optimal results.

Brotox touch-up treatments are required between every 2-12 months…yes, this is a wide range. Let me explain…

As with all cosmetic injectables including filler, the first time a patient decides to get B(r)otox or botulinum toxin injections, this would typically be the one treatment which will require more product to be administered than any subsequent treatment. It will also last the least amount of time. 

After the first treatment, most patients will require a follow-up about 2-4 months later. During the follow-up, fewer products would be administered since there should still be a bit of residual product from the previous treatment (this is why it’s important not to wait too long between treatments). 

After the first follow up, the next one should take place four-six months later, and as the client continues treatment, less product is required, and maintenance sessions may be done more sparsely.

Unlike filler, Botox may not be dissolved immediately afterwards in the case of dissatisfaction with the outcome from the client’s perspective. If for whatever reason, the client is unsatisfied with the result, the only option is to wait out the duration of time it takes for the product to dissolve. Therefore, it’s crucial to attend professional clinics with experienced staff – yes, this may mean paying more for quality service, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. 

Related article: Popular Questions about Botox

Pre and post-treatment instructions for B(r)otox are simple, yet key in achieving the most desired effect;

Pre-Treatment:

• In the case of special events or vacation, schedule your treatment at least two weeks prior
• Discontinue the use of Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or any other essential fatty acids at least 3 days to 1 week before and after treatment to minimize bruising or bleeding
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your treatment
• If you develop a cold/flu, cold sore, blemish, or rash, etc. in the area to be treated prior to your appointment, it is recommended to reschedule your appointment until it resolves
• Discontinue Retin-A two (2-3) days before treatment to avoid any increased redness and irritation
• Avoid all chemical and mechanical exfoliation methods for two weeks prior to your injections treatment

Post-Treatment:

• Do NOT lie head down flat, touch, or rub the treated areas for at least 4 hours
• Avoid Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or any other essential fatty acids at least 3 days to 1 week after treatment. These items may increase bleeding and bruising
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours after your treatment. These items may contribute to increased swelling or irritation
• Avoid the use of Retin-A or similar products (ex. Kinerase, Tazorac) 2 days after treatment to avoid increased irritation or redness
• Avoid cosmetic treatments such as laser, ultrasound, peels, facials or microdermabrasion for 2 weeks after treatment with botulinum toxin
• Try to avoid wearing makeup until the day after treatment. Earlier use may cause pustules. If you must wear makeup we recommend a good quality mineral makeup for the face
• Please report to your provider if any increased pain, increased swelling, redness, blisters, or itching immediately, should it occur following your treatment
• The treatment may take 2-10 days to take full effect. It is recommended that the touch-up if needed, be done no later than 2 weeks after the initial treatment

Finally, it’s important to remember that botulinum toxin takes about a week to visibly kick in post-treatment.  This may be the longest week of your life, but as the old saying goes, patience is a virtue.  The results are most certainly worth the wait!

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a cosmetic injections consultation, please call Canada MedLaser Clinics today and book at one of our four extremely convenient locations around the GTA.