Botox and botulax - American original or Korean equivalent

Information about Botulax

Botulax is a peripherally acting muscle relaxant that is manufactured in South Korea.
The product has successfully passed clinical trials, during which its safety and effectiveness were confirmed. The drug went on sale in 2016, after which it began to be actively used in cosmetology. The product acts exactly the same as its analogues. Getting into muscle fibers, it blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the target muscles relax. This leads to a noticeable smoothing of the surrounding skin.

The product can be used by men and women over the age of 18 years. Botulax is used for injections in the following areas:

• lips and neck;
• interbrow or nasolabial area;
• orbicularis oculi muscles.

However, the list of areas into which the product can be administered is not exhaustive. In particular, if it is necessary to get rid of excessive sweating, the product is injected into the palms, armpits and other problem areas. As a result, problems can be effectively resolved.

Prices

Most clinics and salons work with original Botox and several cheaper analogues.

Cost of botulax in Moscow:

Botox rejuvenation price:

Features of Botulax

The drug is sold in powder form. Before use, the doctor dilutes it. This allows you to obtain a solution of the required concentration. However, the cosmetologist must be careful. The product can only be diluted with saline solution. You cannot use water for injection or boiled liquid. This may negatively affect the effectiveness of therapy and the patient's health.

To prepare the product, saline solution in a volume of 1-4 ml is injected into 1 bottle of powder. Then shake the product well until a homogeneous mixture is achieved. Only after this can injections be performed. They are made using an insulin syringe.

Composition of the drug

Botulax contains three components:

• The active ingredient is botulinum toxin in combination with hemagglutinating protein in an amount of 50, 100, 150 or 200 units;
• Human serum albumin is a stabilizer that has also been shown to improve the effectiveness of injections. The preparation for 50 units contains 0.25 mg of albumin, the product with a dosage of 100 units contains 0.5 mg;
• Sodium chloride, which ensures that the solution is isotonic after dilution and reduces pain during the injection. A product with a dosage of 50 units contains 0.45 mg of sodium chloride, a bottle with a dosage of 100 units contains 0.9 mg.

Botulax, 50 and 100 units.

Thus, in terms of composition, Botulax is almost a complete analogue of Botox, the most popular and now classic drug for botulinum therapy . For comparison: a 100 unit bottle of Botox contains the same 0.5 mg of albumin and 0.9 mg of sodium chloride. The differences between these drugs can only lie in the difference in their production technology, which has little effect on the effectiveness and safety of the final product.

Therefore, like Botox, Botulax differs in certain details from some other botulinum toxin preparations:

• It differs from Dysport in the greater efficiency of 1 active unit. According to a comparison of Botox and Dysport, 1 unit of Botox corresponds in strength to approximately 1.25 units of Dysport. Therefore, to obtain the same effect, Botulax can be injected less than Dysport. Dysport also contains less albumin (not 500 units per bottle - 0.125 mg), and sodium chloride is replaced with lactose;
• Botulax differs from Xeomin in the presence of hemagglutinin in the active complex. The active ingredient in Xeomin is purified botulinum toxin without hemagglutinating proteins. Theoretically, it was assumed that such pure botulinum toxin would be less allergenic, but in fact it turned out that there is no difference in the safety profile between Xeomin and, for example, Botox;
• Botulax differs from the Russian drug Relatox in its set of auxiliary components. In Relatox they are gelatin and maltose.

A worthy and affordable analogue of imported botulinum toxin preparations is the Russian Relatox.

At the same time, in terms of the effect it produces on the body, Botulax has no fundamental differences from other botulinum toxin preparations.

The drug is sold in the form of a lyophilisate (powder in the form of noticeable flakes). Dosages of 50, 100, 150 and 200 units per bottle are available for sale - no other products with botulinum toxin are offered in this range.

Difference from analogues

As mentioned earlier, Botulax is an analogue of classic Botox. The drugs are similar, but they have a number of features. If we consider the principle of operation of the funds, then it is identical. But opinions regarding the effect differ. Some cosmetologists are confident that the results of using Botulax are much better than using Botox. However, not all experts are sure of this. If you look at the reviews, you will notice that most patients are satisfied with Botulax. There are positive opinions about this. The result after administration of the drug is natural, and the face does not take on the expression of an artificial mask. The manufacturer says that Botulax differs from Botox in the following parameters:

1. Has an immediate effect. The results can be seen within a few hours after the injections.
2. It costs less. The price of the drug is 1.5-2 times lower than the cost of Botox.
3. Side effects. Their likelihood is reduced to a minimum.

But the validity period of Botulax and Botox is identical. The result lasts for 4-6 months. However, the maximum effect of Botox injections is achieved faster. It can be seen already on the seventh day. The results of using Botulax will be noticeable only after two weeks.

Efficiency comparison

Operating principle

When the drug is administered to the patient, the drug begins to act at the molecular level. Its components bind to the presynaptic membrane and then penetrate the cytoplasm of neurons. The drug begins to show activity inside the cell, which subsequently leads to a blockade of acetylcholine release. The result is prolonged chemodenervation.

In simple terms, such processes lead to pronounced muscle relaxation, which, in turn, provokes the smoothing of wrinkles and restoration of the affected area. During the period of action of the drug, the formation of lateral processes of nerve endings occurs, which causes the restoration of muscle contractions. However, the processes subsequently regress.

Wonderful bottle

Botulax is not available in retail or pharmacies; it reaches cosmetologists in the form of a white powder in a glass bottle with a capacity of 50 or 100 units. The composition of this powder is almost the same as other similar products:

• botulinum toxin type A (a natural neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum),
• sodium chloride.

Cosmetologists use processed botulinum toxin; industrial cleansing makes its use controlled and reduces the risk of side effects.

Indications

It is recommended to use Botulax in the following cases:

• it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive facelift;
• there is drooping of the corners of the eyes and lips;
• blepharospasm developed;
• facial wrinkles and folds appeared;
• in the neck and décolleté area there is a fine network of wrinkles and the so-called rings of Venus;
• there is a pronounced asymmetry of facial features and facial expressions.

Botulax injections can be given not only in the neck and face, but also in the palms, armpits and feet. The product is considered one of the most effective drugs in the fight against hyperhidrosis.

Side effects

Unpleasant but not dangerous phenomena that occur after injections include:

• headache;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• slight increase in temperature;
• bad feeling;
• swelling, bumps, itching;
• muscle weakness;
• rapid breathing.

Serious symptoms affecting facial health and aesthetics:

• asymmetry of features;
• drooping eyelids;
• raising eyebrows;
• violation of facial expressions;
• strabismus;
• tissue infection;
• drug flows down.

These complications require correction or treatment. Some defects can be eliminated with the help of compensatory injections, which are performed a month after the main procedure. If the situation cannot be corrected with injections, measures are taken to remove Botox from the body. For this purpose, the following are prescribed: physiotherapy, massage, antibiotics and hormones.

Preparation for the procedure

Before the procedure, you need to follow a number of recommendations. In particular, it is necessary:

• stop taking antibiotics 2 weeks before;
• stop using hormonal medications within seven days;
• within a week, stop eating salty, sweet and spicy foods, stop jogging and visiting fitness centers.

If you are taking oral contraceptives or drugs whose use is prescribed on an ongoing basis for health reasons, it is recommended to consult a doctor before the procedure.

Rehabilitation period

Botulinum toxin preparations are usually well tolerated, so there is no need for rehabilitation after the procedure. Provided that the manipulation was carried out by an experienced specialist in compliance with sanitary standards. Most often, there are no visible manifestations on the skin and the patient immediately returns to normal life.

Slight swelling and redness may be individual characteristics of the body and appear regardless of the specific product.

To maintain the result you need within a week:

• avoid the sun;
• do not overheat or overcool;
• drink less water;
• give up alcohol;
• do not take medications;
• do not go to the sauna, solarium, swimming pool;
• minimize physical activity, including sports;
• do not affect the skin through rough intervention;
• do not massage;
• sleep on a high pillow on your back.

The effect depends on your lifestyle. Regular exercise, visiting a sauna, swimming pool, taking hormones and other medications reduce the duration of Botox's effects.

How does the procedure work?

The process of using the drug is quite simple. It is used according to the following scheme:

1. The doctor conducts a consultation and examination. During the procedure, a check is made for the presence of contraindications. Botulax injections can be given if they are not available.
2. The affected area is cleaned of dirt and cosmetics, and then treated. After this, the optimal points of drug administration and dosage are identified to achieve the best result.
3. The drug is carefully injected under the skin. To do this, thin needles are used; they minimize the traumatic nature of the procedure. At the patient's request, an anesthetic gel can be used.
4. A cold compress is applied to the affected area. It is left for 10 minutes.
5. When the procedure is completed, the patient can return to normal life.

Safe use and contraindications

Botulinum toxins are natural, potent poisons that have been “tamed” for beauty. In cosmetology, they are used purified, in a small and long-verified dosage, it is thousands of times less than dangerous standards.

Many cosmetologists suggest carrying out the procedure in two doses to reduce the need for one-time administration.

Botox preparations are almost identical, the scheme of their dilution and application is the same. This makes it easier to use and reduces the likelihood of dosage errors.

Botulinum toxins have a protein structure, so allergy sufferers should use Botulax only after testing. In addition to possible individual intolerance, Botulax is contraindicated during the period:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Inflammation, exacerbation of chronic diseases, infectious diseases.
• Inflammation, formations in the conduction areas, disruption of the tissue structure of the facial skin.
• Rehabilitation after plastic surgery (at least 3 months, ideally six months).

Injections are prohibited for persons with diseases of the endocrine or nervous system, severe myopia and problems with blood clotting.

You need to be careful when using Botulax if you have allergies.

Unpleasant consequences noted by clients:

• Burning and pain in the first week at the injection sites due to rapid or frequent use of Botulax (more than once a year).
• The feeling of headache and migraine appears during the adaptation period and ends in the first week only in a small part of patients.
• The rest did not notice any significant differences or inconveniences.

Instructions for injections

Dosage form: Hemomycin. It is used to prepare a solution and is administered intramuscularly.

Pharmacokinetic class: relaxant with peripheral effects.

Available in fifty or one hundred units in a glass bottle that holds 5 ml of liquid. The container is hermetically sealed with a rubber stopper and closed with a cap. It helps control the first opening and prevents air from entering.

Composition per container for a dose of 50 units: active component: class A protein neurotoxin - 50 units.

Auxiliary components: whey water-soluble simple proteins - 0.00025 grams, sodium salt of hydrochloric acid - 0.00045 grams.

Neurotoxin Botulax 100

Active component: class A protein neurotoxin - 100 units. Excipients: whey water-soluble simple proteins 0.0005 grams, sodium salt of hydrochloric acid - 0.0009 grams.

Pros:

• Persistent medicinal effect that lasts for a long time;
• Selective influence, which determines the preservation of natural gestures against the background of full correction of minor folds;
• Confirmed medicinal effects with Botox;
• Well tolerated by patients;
• Botulax is recognized in all countries, produced on all continents under different names, but with the same components;
• The credibility and best production standards of a pharmaceutical corporation. The main office is located in Korea "Hygel Incorporated".

It is recommended to carry out a procedure for correcting visible folds and irregularities. How to store: permissible temperature range: two to eight degrees. Shelf life: sealed ampoule - 36 months, diluted - no longer than a day.

Main contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity or allergy to any component of Botulax;
• Various negative reactions and inflammations in the area of ​​intended impact (introduction of the cocktail);
• Acute stage of the virus;
• Expressive drooping of facial tissues;
• Expressive “swelling” in the area of ​​the upper and lower eyelids;
• Age below the age of majority and over seventy years of age.