What is botulinum toxin (Botox)?
Botox is a purified protein —botulinum toxin type A— that temporarily relaxes the muscle it is injected into. In facial aesthetics it is used to soften expression lines: the lines that appear when you gesture between the brows, across the forehead and around the eyes. It does not fill or add volume; its job differs from that of hyaluronic-acid fillers.
The mechanism is easy to grasp: when we make expressions we repeat the same movement thousands of times, and over the years that fold etches into the skin. Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the signal telling that specific muscle to contract; as it relaxes, the skin above stops folding and the line softens. The effect is reversible and temporary: it lasts three to four months on average, and once it fades the muscle fully regains its movement.
It is worth stating honestly: Botox works very well on dynamic wrinkles (those seen when you gesture) and is limited on deep static wrinkles, the ones already etched at rest. That is why the result depends as much on the initial assessment as on technique. Botulinum toxin is also a medicine with recognised medical uses —aesthetic use is only one part— and must be handled by medical staff.
Techniques Dr. Arístides Arellano uses
The house rule is that the muscle leads and the needle follows: first we study how each face moves, and only then decide where and how much to apply. In practice, treatment usually considers:
- Glabella (frown lines): the most requested area; softening the angry or concentrated look without erasing expression.
- Forehead: the horizontal lines, dosed carefully so the brow does not feel heavy nor the gaze dull.
- Crow's feet: the lines that fan out around the eyes when you smile.
- Original Allergan product: Dr. Arístides Arellano uses Allergan type A botulinum toxin — Botox® — the original branded product. A toxin unit is not a universal measure: it only means something in relation to a named product, which is why the product is named here.
- Conservative, personalised dosing: starting with less and adjusting at the review is preferred over over-treating and waiting months for it to wear off.
- A preventive approach when appropriate: in younger patients, small doses to keep a dynamic line from becoming a static one.
- Honesty about limits: if a deep wrinkle will not respond well to Botox, that is said at the assessment and other options are discussed rather than promising what it cannot deliver.
How is it performed?
The application is an in-office, non-surgical and very quick procedure: the whole session takes about 15 to 20 minutes. First the face is assessed in motion —asking you to frown, raise your brows and smile— to mark the exact points according to your movement pattern, not a template.
Microdoses of botulinum toxin are then injected with a very fine needle into the selected muscles. Discomfort is minimal and brief, comparable to a small pinch; most people need no anaesthesia, and when desired a little topical anaesthetic is used. There are no cuts, no stitches, and you can return to your activities the same day following a few simple instructions.
The effect is not immediate: it begins to show at 3 to 5 days and reaches its full point around two weeks. A review at two weeks is therefore useful, to assess the result and, if needed, make a fine adjustment. Aiming for a natural result is deliberate: to rest the expression, not erase it.
Every medical treatment —topicals, peels and energy-based devices included— carries risk and requires a prior assessment. In darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI, the most common phototypes in Mexico) a poorly indicated procedure can darken the patch instead of lightening it. Results may vary according to each patient, their phototype and their individual triggers.
Who is a good candidate?
In general terms, a good candidate is a healthy adult who wants to soften expression lines and holds realistic expectations. The surest way to know is a medical assessment. It is often suitable for:
- Anyone noticing frown, forehead or crow’s-feet lines that mark when they gesture and wanting to soften them.
- Those seeking a natural, temporary result without surgery or downtime.
- Younger people wanting a preventive approach to early dynamic lines.
- Anyone who understands the effect is temporary (3–4 months) and that maintaining it requires periodic sessions.
Recommended post-treatment care
Aftercare following Botox is minimal but matters: do not rub or massage the treated areas for the first few hours, keep your head upright, and avoid intense exercise, extreme heat (sauna, steam) and lying face down for the rest of the day. These measures help the toxin settle where it was placed. For a broader view of care and recovery, See the full guide: Post-surgical recovery and care.
Before and after
Most patients want to see before-and-after photographs before deciding. Out of respect for each person’s privacy, Dr. Arístides Arellano shows real cases —always with documented consent— during your in-person consultation, where you can review results from patients with a starting point similar to yours. Results may vary from patient to patient.
Approximate price
From approximately $6,000 MXN per application, depending on the areas treated and how much product your case needs. Approximate price — the definitive cost is set at your private consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano.
About Dr. Arístides Arellano
Dr. Arístides Arellano is a plastic surgeon holding a specialty licence: he practises under a Mexican medical licence (D.G.P. 1125959) and a specialty licence in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (0002008), both issued by the Directorate General of Professions (DGP), which reissued his certificate of professional standing in 2025. His career began before Mexico’s present-day specialty-board system existed: he belongs to the founding generation of plastic surgery in Puebla, the second generation of a surgical tradition started in 1971 by Dr. Francisco Arellano Ocampo. Trust is verified, not promised: both licences are public and anyone can look them up in the DGP’s National Registry of Professionals.
Related patient guide
Who you trust with your face matters more than the price of a single session, especially with a treatment repeated several times a year. If you are comparing options in the city, read first the guide how to choose a plastic surgeon in Puebla: it helps you tell verifiable credentials from promises.
Trust is verified, not promised. All 210 scanned documents —degree, licences, diplomas, publications and certificates, from 1977 to 2025— are open in Dr. Arístides Arellano’s credential archive, alongside an explanation of the difference between a specialty licence and a board certification.
What to expect · from treatment to result
- Same dayYou can resume normal activities. Avoid intense exercise, extreme heat, massaging the area and lying face down for the rest of the day.
- First 24 hoursSlight redness or small bumps at the injection sites are normal; they usually fade quickly.
- Day 3 to 5The effect begins to show: the expression feels softer and dynamic lines mark less.
- At 2 weeksThe result reaches its full point. This is the ideal moment for a review and, if needed, a fine dose adjustment.
- 3 to 4 monthsThe effect gradually wears off and the muscle regains its movement. A new session is scheduled to maintain the result.
Frequently asked questions
Does Botox freeze the face?
Not when applied with judgement. Well dosed, Botox measuredly relaxes only the muscles that draw expression lines, so the face keeps its movement and naturalness. A "frozen" look is a sign of over-dosing or poor technique, not of the treatment itself. That is why a conservative dose and a two-week review are preferred here. Results may vary.
How long does Botox last?
Three to four months on average. The effect is temporary and reversible: once it fades, the muscle fully regains its movement and expression lines mark again as before. Periodic sessions are scheduled to maintain the result. Exact duration varies from person to person depending on the area, dose and metabolism.
Does the application hurt?
Very little. Very fine needles are used and the discomfort is a small, brief pinch at each point. Most people need no anaesthesia; when desired, a little topical anaesthetic is applied. It is an in-office procedure taking about 15 to 20 minutes with no downtime.
When are results visible?
The effect begins to show at 3 to 5 days and reaches its full point around two weeks. It is not an immediate result, so a two-week review is useful to assess the outcome and fine-tune if needed. Results may vary from patient to patient.
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
They do different things. Botox (botulinum toxin) relaxes the muscle to soften expression lines, those that appear when you gesture. Fillers, by contrast, add volume to treat folds or give projection. At the assessment we define which one fits your case, or whether a combination is advisable.
Does Botox work on deep wrinkles seen at rest?
To a limited extent. Botox is very effective on dynamic wrinkles (those of movement) and less so on deep static wrinkles already etched at rest. If a line will not respond well, that is said honestly at the assessment and other options are discussed rather than promising what it cannot deliver.
Which brand of botulinum toxin does Dr. Arístides Arellano use?
Type A botulinum toxin by Allergan — Botox® — the original branded product. It is named for a practical reason: a toxin "unit" is not a universal measure but specific to each product, so a number of units only means something once you know the brand. The reference price starts at approximately $6,000 MXN and reflects the original product. Approximate price — the definitive cost is set at your private consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano.
Every case is different. Discuss yours in a personal consultation.
Book a consultation on WhatsAppEvery figure published on this site is approximate and is not a quote. Any procedure or treatment first requires a private assessment consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano —$800 MXN, charged separately— and it is at that consultation that the definitive cost of your case is determined.
Educational content; it does not replace a medical consultation. Results may vary from person to person.