What is botulinum toxin (Botox)?
Type A botulinum toxin — commercially known as Botox, Dysport or Xeomin — is a purified protein that, when injected in small amounts into specific facial muscles, temporarily interrupts the nerve signal that activates them. The result is a selective relaxation of the treated muscle that reduces dynamic wrinkles: those expression lines that appear when frowning, raising the eyebrows, or smiling.
Unlike dermal fillers, which add volume, botulinum toxin acts on muscle movement. That is why it is especially effective on wrinkles formed by the repeated contraction of facial muscles: the forehead, the frown area, and crow's feet around the eyes. It does not erase static wrinkles — those that exist even at rest — but it significantly attenuates them by eliminating the continuous contraction factor that deepens them over time.
The key to a good botulinum toxin result is the dose and technique. A well-calibrated application relaxes the muscles without paralyzing expressiveness. The effect should look like a rested, younger version of yourself — not a frozen, expressionless face.
Botulinum toxin has been used in aesthetic medicine since the 1990s and has decades of clinical evidence supporting its safety and efficacy. It is also a preventive tool: starting treatment at early stages — from age 25 or 30 — reduces the formation of deep wrinkles in the future, because the muscles learn to contract with less intensity.
Botulinum toxin treatment areas
Botulinum toxin is not limited to the forehead and frown lines. Its range of application is broad and covers both aesthetic and functional goals:
During the consultation each area is evaluated individually, taking into account the patient's particular anatomy, the intensity of the wrinkles, and the desired result. Not all areas necessarily need to be treated in the same session.
Who are the ideal candidates?
Botulinum toxin is indicated for any adult who presents dynamic wrinkles — wrinkles that form with movement — and wishes to prevent or correct them. There is no single starting age: the indication depends on the patient's concerns and the clinical evaluation.
- People aged 25 to 30 who want to begin a preventive treatment before wrinkles become established.
- Patients aged 30 to 50 with moderate expression wrinkles seeking an effective solution without surgery.
- Patients 50 and over as a complement to other treatments or surgeries to maintain the result.
- People with bruxism or jaw tension seeking functional relief in addition to aesthetic benefit.
- Patients with axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) who do not respond to conventional antiperspirants.
- Those seeking discreet and natural results while maintaining their ability to express emotions.
Botulinum toxin is not indicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is also not applied in areas with active infection or in patients with certain neuromuscular diseases. The prior consultation identifies any contraindications.
Would you like to know if you are a candidate?
In a 30-minute consultation we assess your treatment areas and design the right plan for you.
Ask via WhatsAppThe procedure: what a session is like
One of the great advantages of botulinum toxin is its practicality. The complete treatment takes between 15 and 20 minutes in the office, requires no anesthesia or special preparation, and the patient can immediately return to her daily life.
-
1
Evaluation and facial mapping The patient's muscle dynamics are studied at rest and in motion. The areas to treat are identified and the necessary dose in units is determined. This step is key to achieving a natural and proportional result.
-
2
Cleansing and marking The area is cleansed with antiseptic solution and the injection points are marked. In some cases topical anesthetic cream is applied if requested by the patient, although it is generally not necessary.
-
3
Toxin application The botulinum toxin is injected with very fine-gauge needles at the previously marked points. The procedure is virtually painless. Each area requires between 2 and 8 injection points depending on its size.
-
4
Post-treatment follow-up At two weeks a follow-up is performed to evaluate the result and determine whether any adjustment is needed. The full effect is appreciated at that point, once the toxin has taken effect on the treated muscles.
After the session it is recommended not to lie down for the following 4 hours, to avoid intense exercise on the first day, and not to massage or press the treated areas. There is no recovery time: the patient can work, drive, and carry out her normal activities from the moment she leaves the office.
Duration of effect and maintenance
The effect of botulinum toxin is not permanent, which is actually an advantage: it allows the treatment to be adjusted over time according to the patient's changing needs. The duration of the effect varies for each patient and is assessed at the consultation, as it depends on the treated area, individual metabolism, and the number of units applied. Areas with more active muscles tend to require touch-ups more frequently than areas with less movement.
With regular and continuous treatments, muscles learn to contract with less intensity. This has a double benefit: wrinkles do not deepen over time, and the interval between sessions can gradually extend, which is assessed individually at each follow-up.
Starting botulinum toxin before wrinkles become established — ideally from age 25 or 30 — is the most effective strategy for delayed facial aging. Prevention is always more efficient than correction.
Cost of botulinum toxin in Buenos Aires
The price of botulinum toxin varies depending on the number of areas to treat and the units needed for each patient. In Buenos Aires, with Dra. Jenny Ortega De La Rosa, the approximate cost per session is:
- Personalised evaluation of treatment areas
- Facial mapping and marking before application
- First-line botulinum toxin (Botox / Dysport)
- Post-treatment follow-up at two weeks
- Guidance on maintenance and aftercare
The exact price is determined in the initial consultation, where the number of units needed for each area is assessed. A single area (for example, forehead only or frown lines only) costs less than a combined multi-area treatment. Masseter and axillary hyperhidrosis have separate pricing as they require higher doses.
Buenos Aires is an affordable destination for quality aesthetic procedures. The cost of botulinum toxin in Argentina tends to represent between 40 and 60 per cent less than in the United States or Europe, with the same quality toxin and a technique comparable to that of other reference centres.