Botox

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What is Botox?
Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin. The toxin is created from a bacteria and then highly purified for medical use.
Treatment with Botox is one of the most common cosmetic procedures worldwide. It has been used medically for over 30 years.
 

What are the uses of Botox?
Botox is most commonly injected to relax muscles of the face to reduce the signs of aging. Botox also has medical uses including helping to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), teeth grinding (bruxism) and migraines.

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What are the benefits of Botox?
Botox has many potential benefits, including:

• Relaxing existing lines and wrinkles

• Preventing lines and wrinkles

• Lifting – for example, lifting eyebrows or the corners of a downturned smile

• Dropping – for example improving a gummy smile by lowering the top lip

• Narrowing a masculine jaw line

• Improving skin quality by reducing sebum production in the skin

• Decreasing teeth grinding

• Decreasing excessive sweating

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Is Botox safe?
Botox has been used extensively for over 30 years. It is approved for use in over 78 countries. Its safety and effectiveness have been evaluated extensively.
In skilled hands, Botox is a safe and effective treatment. Generally, side effects are non-existent or very minor and short-lived.
Allergic response to Botox is extremely rare.
Treatment doses are very small. Good and safe Botox requires knowledge of facial muscles, skill and technique of injection.

Who should avoid Botox?
Botox should not be used in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Those with neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis or motor neurone disease should not have Botox.
Certain antibiotics (called aminoglycosides) would exclude someone from having botox for the duration of their antibiotic treatment. They are not used commonly for routine medical problems, though can sometimes be found in ear drops.
Blood thinning treatment (such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, etc.) do not exclude treatment but can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Please discuss this with us.

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Who can prescribe Botox?
Botox is a prescription only product. GMC guidance states that a doctor (or other prescriber) must assess the patient in a face-to-face consultation before issuing a prescription. Dr Helen will assess you in clinic to determine your needs.

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What does my treatment involve?
The consultation will involve a discussion about your concerns and goals.
A medical history will be taken to ensure that treatment is safe for you.
If you wish to proceed then your written consent will be obtained once the procedure has been fully explained to you.
Photographs will be taken of your face before the procedure. These are stored securely and will not be used without your consent.
Make-up is removed from the treatment area.
Your face is marked with a surgical crayon for accurate and precise injection sites to ensure facial symmetry.
Precise injections are then made using small volumes via a tiny needle. This causes minimal discomfort and most people report no more than a pinching feeling.
The number of injections varies depending on the area treated. 

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How long does my treatment take?
Your appointment will be approximately 30 minutes. The actual injection takes only a few minutes but it is important to assess your face and treatment goals as well as suitability for treatment.

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Is Botox treatment painful?
Botox requires an injection with a tiny needle. This ensures minimum discomfort. Most people tolerate this easily and describe no more than a slight pinching sensation. Afterwards, it is common to have a slight ‘bee sting’ appearance but usually this settles in a couple of hours.

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What is the down time?
You will be fine to return to activities (with a few exceptions – see aftercare) straight after your treatment. Some people have Botox in their lunch break and return to work without anyone being aware of their treatment!

When will I see results?
Botox starts to work on the muscles immediately but results are not usually seen until after 72 hours. It can take 2 weeks for the full effect to be seen. 

Will I lose expression?
Treatment with Botox relaxes the muscles causing wrinkles and creasing. Often these muscles are involved in facial expression.
The effect of Botox is dose dependent and the aim is always to start with a conservative and natural look. You will then be reviewed to assess the response and adjust your treatment to suit your goals. Some like to retain expression, some like to remove frown lines but retain some expression. This is tailored to the individual.

When will I be reviewed?
You will be reviewed 2-4 weeks after your initial appointment. This avoids over-doing things at the first appointment and reduces the risk of unwanted effects.

How long will the effects of Botox last?
Treatments with Botox usually last 3 months but it can last longer in some cases.

 

What is aftercare for Botox?

• Do not touch the treated area for a few hours.

• ​Avoid strenuous activity same day.

• ​Avoid alcohol same day. ​

• Avoid facial treatments such as peels, dermabrasion etc. for 24 hours.

• Remain upright for 4 hours after treatment.

• Do not apply heat to the treated area same day.

• Use facial expression to exercise the treated muscles same day.

• Bruising, tenderness and headache can occur and are usually brief.