Botox and botulinum toxin — who it suits and where to have it

Botox has been the most researched aesthetic injectable in clinical studies for over 50 years. By 2026 it has become an “ordinary beauty procedure” in Estonia — in the Ilusalong24.ee directory more than half of all beauty clinics offer it. Who is allowed to perform it, when to consider it and when not to — we go through it all in this guide.

How botox works

Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the signals travelling from the nerves to the muscles in the injected area. The muscle therefore cannot contract — it relaxes, and no wrinkle forms in the skin above it. The effect appears within 3–7 days and is complete in 2 weeks. It lasts 3–6 months.

Which areas are typical

• Frown lines (glabella, “anger lines”): the most popular, 20–25 units.
• Horizontal forehead lines: 10–20 units.
• Crow's feet (outer corners of the eyes): 10–24 units.
• Nose wrinkles (“bunny lines”): 4–8 units.
• Neck and décolleté (Nefertiti lift): 30–50 units.
• Excessive sweating (armpits): 50–100 units, a medical indication.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding): 25–50 units into the masseter muscle.

Who may inject in Estonia

Botox is a prescription medicine. In Estonia it may only be injected by:

• A doctor (of any speciality, but preferably a dermatologist, an aesthetic medicine doctor or a plastic surgeon).
• An Estonian nurse holding the relevant specialist certificate (must be supervised by a doctor).

Before booking, check the Health Board register of activity licences. If the injector holds no medical education certificate, the clinic is operating outside the law.

Brands in Estonia — what's the difference

• Botox (Allergan, USA): the market leader, the “original”.
• Azzalure / Dysport (Ipsen, France): a similar result, 10–15% cheaper, a different unit scale.
• Bocouture / Xeomin (Merz, Germany): a “pure” toxin without accessory proteins — suitable for people who have had an immune reaction before.

Before the procedure

• You must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Avoid blood-thinning medication for 5 days beforehand (aspirin, ibuprofen).
• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours beforehand.
• Come without make-up and do not apply anything dark to your forehead.
• Eat a couple of hours before — low blood sugar can cause dizziness.

After the procedure

• Stay upright for 4 hours.
• Avoid facial massage, the sauna and intense exercise for 24 hours.
• Do not bend over deeply or lie flat for 4 hours.
• Slight redness and swelling at the injection points is normal and disappears within 1–2 hours.
• The result appears within 3–7 days, in full in 2 weeks.

Risks and side effects

• Milder (common): headache (24–48 h), slight redness, bruising at the injection points.
• Rarer: a drooping eyelid on one side (if the injector has injected the wrong muscle) — it recovers within 4–6 weeks; asymmetry (can be corrected with a touch-up after 2 weeks).
• Very rare: an allergic reaction (less than 1%), infection of the injection site (a hygiene problem).

Who botox is not suitable for

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• People with a neuromuscular disease (myasthenia, Lambert-Eaton).
• People with an active skin infection in the injection area.
• Under-18s (Estonian practice).
• Clients who have previously developed an immune reaction to botulinum toxin.

Where to go next

• Botox in Estonia 2026 — price, units and what to expect
• Lip filler — the complete guide
• Anti-ageing care 2026
• Beauty clinics in Tallinn — in Tartu
• The full directory of beauty clinics

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