What is skin Botox?

The two-word answer

Depth and dilution.

• Regular Botox goes into the muscle, to reduce the expression lines that muscle movement creates.
• Skin Botox is heavily diluted and placed in the skin, above the muscle layer.

Same substance, a different target and a different concentration.

What it is aiming at

A smoother skin surface — texture, fine surface lines, oiliness and pore appearance — rather than reduced movement.

Because the product is diluted and sits above the muscle layer, changing your expressions is not the intent. If reducing a frown line is what you want, regular Botox is the relevant treatment and this is not a substitute for it.

How it differs from skin boosters

Both aim at skin quality rather than shape, which is why they get confused:

• Skin boosters are hyaluronic acid, hydrating the skin from within.
• Skin Botox is diluted botulinum placed superficially, working by a completely different mechanism.

They are not interchangeable and they are sometimes used for different concerns on the same face. That is a consultation conversation.

The appointment

Most patients describe minimal discomfort or a slight stinging sensation. The needle is very fine and numbing cream can be applied first.

Downtime

Very little. Mild redness or swelling is normal and usually settles quickly, and most patients return to their usual routine the same day.

Results

Changes generally show over the days after treatment and continue to improve gradually rather than appearing all at once. So this is not a next-morning treatment, and judging it at 24 hours judges the injections.

Sessions

It varies with your skin and what you want to change. Your doctor gives a realistic number at consultation rather than a package figure — which is worth holding them to.

Full detail on the skin Botox page; see also how long skin Botox lasts. Consultation ₹500, waived against treatment.