Key facts at a glance
- Conventional botulinum toxin products are supplied as a powder and dissolved in saline before treatment.
- There are now also liquid, ready-to-use products that do not require this step.
- The active substance, mode of action and areas of use are similar for all type A products. Diagnosis, dosage and injection technique remain decisive for the result.
- We decide which product is suitable for you after the medical consultation.
Treatments with botulinum toxin have been established procedures in aesthetic medicine for years. During this time, the products have evolved: in addition to conventional powder products, there are now also liquid, ready-to-use formulations. In this article, we explain how the products differ, what stays the same and what really matters in the treatment.
How does botulinum toxin work?
Botulinum toxin type A inhibits the release of the messenger substance acetylcholine at the junction between nerve and muscle. As a result, the treated muscle relaxes temporarily. In aesthetic medicine, this is used to smooth expression lines such as frown lines, forehead lines or crow’s feet. Medically, the active substance is used for teeth grinding, excessive sweating or migraine, among other things. The effect is not permanent and wears off after a few months.
Powder or ready-to-use: what is the difference?
Most botulinum toxin products are supplied as a freeze-dried powder. Before treatment, the powder is dissolved in sterile saline at the practice. The concentration depends on how much liquid is used.
Liquid, ready-to-use products are manufactured already in solution. This mainly brings practical differences:
- No dissolving needed: The preparation step is no longer necessary.
- Consistent concentration: The concentration is set by the manufacturer and does not depend on the preparation.
- Same mode of action: Liquid products also contain botulinum toxin type A and work on the same principle.
How quickly the effect sets in and how long it lasts has been examined for each product in its own approval studies. The results cannot simply be transferred to other products and vary from case to case.
What are the products approved for?
For aesthetic use, botulinum toxin products are generally approved for certain lines, most commonly frown lines and in some cases crow’s feet or forehead lines. Exactly which indications are approved differs from product to product. Treatment of other areas, such as the corners of the mouth or the chin, is often off-label. We will inform you about this before the treatment.
What matters in the treatment
A new product alone does not make a good result. What matters is a precise analysis of your facial expressions, the right dosage for each area and an exact injection technique. The minimum amounts differ from area to area; men usually need more units than women because of their stronger muscles. At Medical Contour, we always treat the lower third of the face under ultrasound guidance: we see muscles, blood vessels and the needle tip on ultrasound during the injection.
We work with different products because different products are suitable for different patients. We decide together with you which one to use after the consultation. You can find more about the treatment areas on our page on wrinkle treatment with botulinum toxin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a liquid product work better than a powder product?
Not automatically. Both contain botulinum toxin type A and work on the same principle. The differences mainly concern the preparation. How well a treatment works depends above all on dosage and technique.
How long does the effect last?
Usually several months. The duration varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the product, dose, treated area and muscle strength.
Can I request a specific product?
Feel free to ask us about it. We will clarify during the consultation which product makes medical sense based on your findings.
Note: Individual courses and results may vary. Nothing can replace a personal consultation with a doctor.