When performed by a certified dermatologist using licensed botulinum toxin A, Botox is one of the most extensively studied and safest aesthetic procedures available — with over 30 years of clinical use globally and more than 9 million procedures performed annually. Common minor side effects include small raised bumps at injection sites (resolve in 20–30 minutes), mild redness (settles in 1–2 hours) and mild bruising in 10–15% of clients (resolves in a few days). Rare side effects — temporary eyelid drooping (ptosis), asymmetry or brow heaviness — occur in less than 1% of cases when performed by an experienced dermatologist with correct injection technique. These are temporary and resolve as the Botox wears off. At Maynee, only licensed, authenticated botulinum toxin A products are used — counterfeit or diluted products are a genuine safety risk from unregulated providers.

Botox results typically last 3–6 months. The duration depends on several factors: the treatment area (forehead lines tend to last slightly longer than crow's feet; masseter Botox lasts longer still at 4–6 months), the number of units used, your individual muscle strength and metabolic rate, how physically active you are and whether this is your first treatment. First-time Botox results are sometimes slightly shorter (8–12 weeks); as muscles adapt to regular treatment, subsequent sessions tend to last longer. With regular maintenance every 3–6 months, many clients find their intervals extending over time — a sign the muscles are learning to relax with less stimulation. Results from hyperhidrosis Botox (underarms) typically last longer — 6–9 months.

Botox is very well tolerated. Most clients describe the sensation as a very brief, mild pinch at each injection point — lasting a fraction of a second — rather than sustained pain. At Maynee, topical numbing cream is applied before the procedure for maximum comfort, particularly for sensitive areas (lip, crow's feet zone, neck). A 30–32 gauge ultra-fine needle is used — one of the thinnest available — which minimises discomfort significantly compared to thicker needles. The entire injection phase for forehead, frown lines and crow's feet typically takes 10–12 minutes. No general anaesthetic is needed. Most clients are surprised at how quick and manageable the procedure is — especially compared to their expectations from online descriptions.

No — correctly administered Botox with appropriate unit dosing produces a natural, refreshed result while preserving full facial expression. The frozen, immobile "Botox face" seen in media and on social media is caused by over-injection with excessive units — a complication of inexperienced injectors or unqualified practitioners. At Maynee, the clinical goal of every Botox session is a natural, rested result that makes you look like a better, fresher version of yourself — not like you have had a procedure. Our approach is conservative by design: we use the minimum effective dose for your muscle strength and top up at the 2-week review if needed, rather than over-injecting. Most clients report that friends and colleagues comment that they look refreshed — without knowing what they have had done.

Unit requirements vary significantly between individuals based on muscle strength, facial anatomy and desired result intensity. Typical ranges for the most common treatment areas: forehead lines — 10–20 units; frown lines (11s/glabella) — 15–25 units; crow's feet — 10–15 units per side; brow lift — 2–4 units; bunny lines — 2–4 units; lip flip — 4–6 units; masseter jaw slimming — 25–40 units per side; chin dimpling — 4–6 units; neck bands — 20–30 units total; underarm hyperhidrosis — 50 units per side. Your dermatologist assesses your individual muscle strength during the facial assessment and maps the exact injection points and units required for your anatomy and goals before treatment begins — you will never be charged for more units than clinically needed.

Botox does not work instantly — this is important to understand so expectations are correctly set. The botulinum toxin takes 3–5 days to begin binding to the nerve-muscle junction and starting the relaxation process. Visible smoothing begins around day 3–5. Full results are visible at 10–14 days when the muscle relaxation is complete and the overlying skin has fully smoothed out. This is why your review appointment is booked at 2 weeks — this is when we assess the complete result. The gradual onset is actually a clinical advantage: the result looks entirely natural to those around you, as the change develops subtly over nearly two weeks rather than being immediately obvious.

Yes — Botox is equally safe and effective for all Indian skin tones. Because Botox is injected into the muscle (not applied to the skin surface), skin tone has no influence on its safety or efficacy. It does not cause pigmentation changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or any skin colour-related complications. The only injection-related consideration for Indian skin is technique: correct needle insertion angle and depth minimises surface bruising, which can occasionally trigger mild PIH at the puncture site in darker skin — though this is uncommon and self-resolving. At Maynee, dermatologists use specific technique refinements for Indian skin tones to minimise any surface bruising at injection sites.

Botox cost at Maynee in Chennai is confirmed at your initial dermatologist consultation after your facial assessment — not before. Pricing depends on the treatment areas, the number of units required for your specific muscle anatomy and whether multiple areas are combined in one session. We do not publish a standardised per-unit price without assessment because correct dosing is determined by your individual facial anatomy — and we will not quote or administer more units than you clinically need. Transparent, itemised pricing is provided at your consultation with no hidden charges, no pressure and no obligation to proceed. The cost of the included 2-week review and top-up appointment is incorporated into the initial session pricing.

Yes — Botox has no meaningful downtime. Most clients return to work, social activities and their normal daily routine immediately after leaving the clinic. The small raised bumps at injection sites resolve in 20–30 minutes. If mild bruising occurs (in around 10–15% of clients), it can be covered with mineral makeup after a few hours. The specific restrictions are minimal: stay upright for 4 hours after injection (avoid lying flat), avoid vigorous gym exercise and alcohol for 24 hours, do not rub or massage the injected areas for 24 hours, and avoid facials, facial massage and steam rooms for 2 weeks. None of these affect normal work, social plans or daily activities. Botox is commonly scheduled over a lunch break or between meetings.

When Botox wears off, the treated muscles gradually regain their normal movement over a period of several weeks — and the facial lines return to approximately where they were before you started treatment. There is no worsening, sagging, rebounding or dependency effect — the face simply returns to its natural state without Botox. Your face will never look worse than if you had never had Botox. In fact, regular treatment over several years has the opposite effect: muscles adapt to less contraction, meaning lines improve progressively over time and may require fewer units per session to maintain. Regular preventive Botox also means deep static lines that would have formed without treatment never develop — so long-term regular clients often look significantly younger than their untreated peers.