4 min read
“Botox” injections have become very popular all over the world and Hong Kong is no exception. There are risks and side effects however, so being well informed is essential. Here is your complete, doctor-reviewed guide to “Botox” in Hong Kong.
“Botox” refers to a neurotoxin called Botulinum Toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. This bacterium is found in natural environments such as soil, lakes, and forests. If one ingested the bacteria and its toxin in contaminated food, it could cause life-threatening paralysis and even death. But when purified and injected in appropriate doses into targeted parts of the body, the toxin blocks signals between nerves and muscles, and results in muscles relaxation. Prolonged denervation can also lead to muscle atrophy (and that is how it is commonly used to reduce the size of masseters). The toxin has been used to treat a variety of muscular conditions and has been widely applied in the field of aesthetic medicine.
“Botox” is one of the commercial brands of botulinum toxin, other brands include Dysport, Xeomin etc. We use the term “Botox” with quotation marks because most people are actually referring to the toxin itself rather than the brand when they say “Botox”. As one of the earliest and largest players in the aesthetic market of botulinum toxin, the term “Botox” has become used by many as synonymous with the generic drug.
“Botox” injections for cosmetic reasons have become very popular, with almost 7.23 million treatments conducted in the United States in 2017 alone, giving it a title of “most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment”. Many celebrities are also said to have had “Botox” to maintain a youthful look and remove wrinkles.
“Botox” is most commonly used to reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines. It can also be useful for eye squints, migraines, excess sweating, leaky bladders, and many other medical conditions.
Here are the most common treatments for which “Botox” can be used:
In Hong Kong, botulinum toxin injections are performed by locally registered plastic surgeons and you can find the updated list here. Besides plastic surgeons, some dermatologists and general practitioners also offer the service. The Code of Professional Conduct of the Medical Council of Hong Kong requires that registered doctors should act within their competence, which can be assumed to exist from their qualifications as registered medical practitioners. However, a reasonable expectation from users of medical aesthetic services is to understand whether a registered doctor, regardless of his/her qualification, and proficiency in undertaking basic medical procedures, is actually proficient in the application of specialized medical beauty services.
After a major aesthetic treatment blunder in 2012 where a woman died, the Hong Kong government looked deeper into regulating medical aesthetic treatments. Subsequently, there were several aesthetic treatment failure cases that led doctors and lawmakers to propose that beauty parlors should be regulated, with an authority set up to evaluate the suitability of the applicant, the premises and practices, and to perform regular inspections. Aggressive promotional tactics should also be banned, and centers that violate the rules should be reprimanded.
Botulinum toxin is generally used in very small doses. It halts signals between the nerve and muscles and thus paralyzes the muscles. Botulinum toxin is administered by diluting the powder in sterile saline under an aseptic technique to prepare the drug at the desired concentration. The solution is then injected into the targeted area. It takes 24-72 hours for botulinum toxin to take effect.
During the procedure, the doctor will sterilize the skin of the targeted area and then inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into the targeted region of muscles using a fine needle. The injection site should be treated gently, and recipients should not massage or rub the treated areas by themselves after treatment. Results are often visible by around 8 days.
Botulinum toxin should not be used in pregnant or lactating women, or by people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients.
The procedure is generally well-tolerated with few side effects. The most common side effects are mild discomfort at injection site and haematoma.
Other potential side effects include:
Although widely applied, it should be noted that botulinum toxin is a poisonous and potentially dangerous substance. When wrongly handled, it can lead to a rare but life-threatening illness called Botulism, if remain untreated, may result in respiratory failure and death.
Botulism is a notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance since 2008. Different types of botulism exists, such as foodborne, infant, wound, etc. Iatrogenic botulism was defined as the spread of botulinum toxin beyond injection site following its injection for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes, and the patient develops symptoms of botulism (e.g. dysphagia, aspiration, respiratory muscle paralysis etc). Eleven probable cases of iatrogenic botulism were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) from May 27 to August 4, 2016. Investigation revealed that 10 of the 11 cases had a history of botulinum toxin injection in different beauty centers in the mainland, while one claimed to have received injection in a commercial premise in Mong Kong.
Despite the risks and possible side effects of botulinum toxin, there is still a huge demand for “Botox” in the market. This makes it essential to take your time, educate yourself and find the right practitioner to perform potential “Botox” injections. Having the procedure performed by a qualified and properly-trained doctor, and using products from reputable manufacturers minimize the risks and side effects from the procedure.
There are a number of doctors and private clinics that provide “Botox” treatment in Hong Kong. Our research shows that on average, beauty salons and clinics in Hong Kong charge anywhere between HK$3,000 and HK$10,000 per treatment.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Richie Chan 陳肖龍. Dr. Richie Chan 陳肖龍 is a plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic and body contouring surgery. He obtained his medical degrees and master's degree from Hong Kong University. After working as a plastic surgeon in the public health system and academia for many years, Dr. Chan now works in private practice in Hong Kong.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.
Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.
Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!
Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!