Medical Aesthetics
Botulinum Toxin in Portugal
Doctor-led botulinum toxin treatments in Lisbon for UK patients, precise muscle relaxation to soften dynamic lines and wrinkles, with natural-looking results, no downtime and a range of therapeutic applications beyond aesthetics.
At ASG, all injectable treatments are performed or directly supervised by plastic surgeons. The precision of a surgical eye matters, particularly in preventing the over-treated appearance that gives botulinum toxin an undeserved reputation.
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What is Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum toxin is a purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In aesthetic medicine, it is injected in very small, controlled amounts directly into specific muscles, where it temporarily blocks the nerve signals that cause muscle contraction. The treated muscles relax, softening the dynamic lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial movement, frowning, squinting, raising the eyebrows, without affecting the surrounding muscles or altering natural expression when used correctly.
The effect is temporary and predictable, lasting four to six months before the nerve signals gradually return. With regular treatment over time, many patients find that target muscles become progressively less active, meaning results can be maintained with less frequent or lower-dose sessions.
Beyond facial aesthetics, botulinum toxin has well-established therapeutic applications including excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), teeth grinding (bruxism), chronic migraines and neck muscle tension. At ASG, both aesthetic and therapeutic applications are available and assessed as part of your consultation.
Areas and applications
- Forehead lines: horizontal lines
- Glabellar lines: vertical frown lines between brows
- Crow's feet: lines around the eyes
- Neck bands: platysmal lines
- Gummy smile: reducing upper gum visibility
- Hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating (underarms, hands)
- Bruxism: teeth grinding and jaw tension
- Chronic migraines
Applications
Aesthetic and Therapeutic Uses
Facial Rejuvenation
The most common use, softening lines on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes that are formed by repeated muscle contraction. The goal is a refreshed, rested appearance that retains natural movement and expression. Brow position and shape can also be subtly refined with precise placement.
Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating of the underarms, hands or feet that does not respond to clinical-strength antiperspirants can be effectively managed with botulinum toxin injections. The toxin blocks the nerve signals to sweat glands, significantly reducing sweating for six to nine months per treatment.
Bruxism & Jaw Tension
Injecting the masseter muscles, the large jaw muscles used in chewing, reduces the force of grinding and clenching that causes tooth wear, jaw pain and headaches. Over time, repeated treatment can also produce a subtle slimming of the lower face as masseter bulk reduces.
The Treatment
What to Expect
During the Session
No anaesthetic is required, the injections are administered using very fine needles and take 15–30 minutes. Most patients describe a mild pinprick sensation. Your clinician will ask you to make specific facial expressions during the session to identify the precise muscles to be treated and calibrate the dose accurately.
Immediately After
There is no downtime. Most patients return to normal activities immediately. You are advised to avoid lying down, vigorous exercise and alcohol for four hours after treatment to prevent migration of the product. Minor redness or small bumps at injection sites resolve within minutes to an hour.
Results Timeline
The effect begins to appear within two to four days as the treated muscles gradually relax. The full result is visible at around two weeks, a review at this point allows any small refinements to be made if needed. The effect typically lasts four to six months before gradually wearing off as nerve signals return.
For UK Patients
Combining Botulinum Toxin with a Visit to Lisbon
Botulinum toxin is one of the simplest treatments to combine with a trip to Lisbon. Sessions take 15–30 minutes, require no preparation, and have no downtime. You can have treatment and continue your day immediately. Flying home the same day is entirely appropriate.
Many UK patients choose to have botulinum toxin alongside a surgical consultation or another non-surgical treatment at the same visit. Because the full effect takes two weeks to appear, the two-week review is conducted remotely via video call through our UK offices, no return trip to Lisbon is required.
For patients managing hyperhidrosis or bruxism therapeutically, sessions every four to six months can be scheduled to coincide with visits to Lisbon for other appointments. Your clinician will help you plan a schedule that fits your travel patterns.
Botulinum Toxin
Are You a Suitable Candidate?
You have dynamic lines, wrinkles formed by repeated facial muscle movement, that you want to soften while preserving natural expression
You have excessive sweating, teeth grinding or chronic migraines that are affecting your quality of life and have not been adequately managed by other means
You want a quick treatment with no downtime that can be combined with a visit to Lisbon for other purposes
You are in good general health, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and have no known allergy to botulinum toxin or its components
You have realistic expectations, botulinum toxin relaxes muscles and softens dynamic lines; it does not add volume, address skin laxity or correct static lines caused by collagen loss
Botulinum toxin is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in the presence of neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis. A full medical history review is conducted at consultation before treatment is recommended.
Your Journey
From First Enquiry to Treatment
Initial Consultation
Your consultation covers your goals, medical history and any previous botulinum toxin treatments. Your clinician will assess your facial anatomy and muscle activity, discuss both aesthetic and therapeutic applications relevant to your situation, and explain what is achievable with realistic expectations.
Treatment Planning
A personalised plan is agreed covering the areas to be treated, the dose for each zone, and the treatment frequency. The plan is guided by your anatomy and goals, not a standard protocol. For UK patients visiting Lisbon, treatment is typically performed at the same appointment as the consultation.
The Treatment Session
Injections are administered using very fine needles over 15–30 minutes. You will be asked to make specific facial movements so that placement and dosing can be precisely calibrated to your muscle activity. You leave the clinic immediately after and can resume normal activities the same day.
Two-Week Review
A review at two weeks, conducted via video call for UK patients who have returned home, allows your clinician to assess the full result and address any small refinements. This review is included as standard and is important for fine-tuning the approach for future sessions.
Maintenance
Treatment is repeated every four to six months, or every three months as a minimum interval. Over time, with consistent treatment, many patients find results are maintained with progressively less frequent sessions as the treated muscles become less active. Your clinician will advise on the optimal maintenance schedule for your goals.
Important Information
Risks and Considerations
Botulinum toxin has one of the longest safety records in aesthetic medicine and is among the most thoroughly studied injectable treatments available. Complications are uncommon when administered by an experienced medical professional at appropriate doses.
- Minor bruising at injection sites: uncommon, resolves within a few days
- Headache: occasional in the hours after treatment, transient
- Asymmetry: minor differences in muscle response between sides; usually correctable at the two-week review
- Temporary eyelid or brow ptosis (drooping): rare; occurs with incorrect placement near the eye area; resolves as the effect wears off
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking: very rare; only relevant with treatment of the neck or jaw at high doses
- Spread of effect beyond the target area: rare with correct technique and dosing
- The effect is fully temporary: all effects wear off within four to six months if the result is not as desired
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it make my face look frozen?
No. When administered correctly by an experienced medical professional, botulinum toxin softens dynamic lines while preserving natural expression. The frozen or over-treated look results from excessive dosing or incorrect placement, not from the treatment itself. At ASG, all injectable treatments are performed or supervised by plastic surgeons, with a focus on natural, expressive results that enhance without erasing.
How long do results last?
Results typically last four to six months. The effect begins within two to four days, reaching its maximum at around two weeks. Over time, with regular treatment, many patients find that target muscles become progressively less active, meaning the effect can be maintained with less frequent or lower-dose sessions.
Is there any downtime?
There is no downtime. Most patients return to normal activities immediately after treatment. You are advised to avoid lying down, vigorous exercise and alcohol for four hours after the session. Minor bruising at injection sites is possible but uncommon, resolving within a few days.
How is it different from hyaluronic acid fillers?
Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, lines formed by repeated facial movement. Hyaluronic acid fillers add volume and restore structure in areas of hollowing or static lines. The two treatments address different concerns and are frequently used together as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation approach, your clinician will advise on the combination most suited to your goals.
Can botulinum toxin treat hyperhidrosis and bruxism?
Yes. Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the underarms, hands or feet, and for teeth grinding and jaw tension (bruxism). Results for hyperhidrosis typically last six to nine months. For bruxism, regular treatment can reduce jaw muscle bulk over time, providing both therapeutic relief and a subtle facial slimming effect.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a consultation with our specialist team in Lisbon, with support available in Oxford for UK patients.