• Are you starting to notice fine lines around your eyes when you smile?

• Do you have prominent expression when you laugh or frown?

• Is your appearance starting to look a little tired?

• Have your friends had “Botox” but you don’t know much about it or what it does?

• You don’t want to look “Frozen”...

• You’re concerned that once you’ve had it done you need to have it done forever? 

 

If this is you I can help answer all these questions and concerns and help you make a choice as to whether this treatment is for you.

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Read more about when you could start having treatment

 

Our facial appearance is partly genetically predetermined due to our unique collagen and elastin production, but is also influenced by our exposure to sunlight, pollution, and affected by things such as smoking and a poor diet. The muscles in our face determine our facial expressions, as we age this can create wrinkles in the skin, combined with the loss of fatty tissue (facial fat pads) in the face this can lead to the signs of ageing. Read here for more about filler treatments to replace lost volume in the face.

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What is BOTOX

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Botulinum toxin is produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria and acts by interrupting nerve signals to the muscle which will temporarily block muscle movement. The effect of BOTOX may last 3 months or more. It wasn’t until 2002 that the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of frown lines. Cosmetic indications of BOTOX that are currently licensed include treatment of the forehead horizontal lines, glabella (frown lines) the lateral canthus (crow’s feet) and for excessive sweating. Other indications include chronic headache and migraine, facial spasm and teeth grinding. Botox is a prescription medicine and this will be prescribed for you during your consultation. 

 

Is there a reason why I shouldn’t have Botox? 

 

There may be. You should not have Botox injections if you are allergic to Botox or any of its excipients or if you have myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. It may also not be possible to have Botox if you have a history of Bell’s palsy, bleeding disorders, or taking NSAIDs, aspirin, vitamin A, St John’s wort, ginkgo biloba or taking any aminoglycoside antibiotics. Speak to your therapist regarding any issues you may have. 

 

You should also not have Botox treatment if you have active Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease (thyroid problems) rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, vitiligo or psoriasis.

 

What areas can be treated?

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After a consultation to establish suitability, the most common areas treated with BOTOX are the upper face – forehead and frown lines above the eyes (glabella) as well as the lines to the sides of the eye known as the crow’s feet. Other areas can be treated such as Marionette lines, smoker’s lines around the lips or the armpits to control excessive sweating. You can discuss the areas you want treated in your consultation. 

 

Is the treatment painful?

 

You will be having multiple injections into the skin on the face so he may feel some discomfort. The needles used during the process are very small and fine and it should be no different to receiving facial acupuncture. If you are concerned about any discomfort we can apply a local anaesthetic cream or simply treat the area with ice to numb the skin prior to injection. 

 

Are there any side-effects?

 

It’s important to note that the vast majority of treatments go well with only minor discomfort. Common side-effects include redness, bruising and mild swelling. You may also have a slight headache after the treatment and there may be some asymmetry to the face after the treatment. It can take up to 2 weeks for the treatment to take effect. 

 

Less common side effects include a Spock brow, brow ptosis and eyelid ptosis. Careful injection placement and technique can minimise this risk. Rare side-effects include blurred or double vision, infection and any allergic reaction. You will be monitored after the appointment to make sure there is no allergic reaction and we have adrenaline and other life-saving equipment on site.

 

What happens next?

 

You should aim to keep the treated muscles active for a few hours after your treatment by smiling and frowning and avoid extremes of hot or cold (including sauna), excessive sunlight exposure, vigorous exercise, lying down or leaning over for 4-6 hours.

 

As with cosmetic acupuncture you should start to see the effect of treatment within 2 or 3 days, for some people this takes longer. The full result may be judged at 2-3 weeks. You will have a follow up consultation 2 weeks after your treatment to discuss and resolve any issues that may have arisen so that you are happy with your treatment effect.

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What products do you use?

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We use the best products on the market approved and licensed for aesthetic use. We use allergan botox. 

 

Will I need ongoing treatment?

 

Nobody needs ongoing treatment; however, the treatment effect will wear off over 3-4 months and the facial muscles will start to move again. If you were happy with the effects of your previous treatment and you can move the muscles of the face again you will need a further treatment at this point. For those who are concerned about ongoing treatment Facials and peels are an alternative.

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