Information on Botox Treatments
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is a purified protein which when injected into a muscle leads to a temporary muscular relaxation. Frown lines, worry lines and laughter lines are all caused by the repeated contractions of facial muscles: relaxing these muscles with Botox® injections is a quick, safe and effective way to smooth and soften wrinkles.
What happens during a treatment?
A good botox doctor will undertake a thorough facial analysis and detailed discussion before proposing an appropriate treatment plan. The actual procedure takes just 5-10mins and involves a small number of injections of BOTOX® solution directly into the muscle groups causing wrinkling.
How quickly will I notice an effect after a treatment?
You will be able to return to your normal daily activities immediately following treatment: there will be no visible changes. The full effect of the treatment will develop over the following 2-14 days.
How long will the treatment last?
This varies from individual to individual, but most people tend to have 3-4 treatments over the course of the first year. The duration of effect often increases with each repeat treatment: eventually you may only require one maintenance treatment per year.
How safe is it?
BOTOX® is considered a very safe medication. It is now approved by medical authorities in over 70 countries worldwide. It has been used widely in UK hospitals since 1977 (with several indications in children) and in the cosmetic industry over the last 15 years.
What are the side effects?
There may be slight discomfort as the needle enters the skin, and there is the possibility of a small bruise at the site of the injection. Other side effects are rare but include slight drooping of the eyelid, which usually resolves in a week or so, and headaches. There are many myths and horror stories circulating in the media: any concerns you may have will be addressed thoroughly prior to treatment. No long term side-effects have been reported.
Will BOTOX® ‘freeze’ my face and make me expressionless?
No, definitely not. We will only treat the specific muscles that are responsible for your wrinkles, minimizing any possible loss of facial expression.
Will my face ‘droop’ if I do not have repeat treatments?
Absolutely not. The treatment is completely reversible – there are no permanent effects. In fact, your skin is likely to have benefited from the period of reduced muscle contraction, as wrinkle formation is slower during this time.
Post-treatment care
You are advised to stay upright and to try to exercise the areas treated for 2-4 hours following the injections. It is important to avoid massaging these areas though: this is to prevent the diffusion of solution to adjacent muscles.
For any further information visit us at www.glowmedical.co.uk