| Botox - FAQ What is Botox? Botulinum toxin is a substance naturally produced by the botulinum bacteria. BOTOX® is a purified protein derivitive of the toxin, the muscle relaxing properties of which have been used to treat numerous medical conditions for many years. Botulinum toxin has been used for over 30 years to treat conditions conditions such as facial spasm, neck muscle spasm, facial tics, Parkinson's disease cerebral palsy and swallowing dysfunction as well as many others. Is Botulinum toxin safe? It is well known that in high concentrations botulinum toxin is a potent poison. However, the doses used in cosmetic treatment are, by comparison, minute and the margin of safety is very broad. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medication and should only be prescribed by a qualified doctor or dentist. How does it work? When we use our facial muscles, for example, to laugh or smile, the skin overlying these muscles becomes creased. As we get older changes to our skin through the aging process cause these creases to become permanent. Botulinum toxin works by blocking the chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle so that the muscle becomes temporally weakened. As a result the skin overlying these facial muscles will appear smoother and the wrinkles softented. Can anyone have this treatment? No, it is not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. What happens during treatment? Our fully qualified doctor will first of all examine your face and observe your facial muscles so the patient and doctor can achieve the best results. The treatment itself is very quick, only 5 to 10 minutes. Is the treatment painful? An extremely slender and short needle is used to carefully inject the treatment. It may cause some minimal discomfort that is very short-lived. Should you require it, we can provide you with some topical local anaesthetic. What happens after my treatment? There may be some redness and minor swelling at the treated areas that normally resolves in 1 to 2 hours. The effects of treatment become noticeable within 4 to 14 days. We invite all our patients to a complimentary two week follow appointment where they can have a complimentary ‘touch up' should it be required. How long does the treatment last? The treatment usually lasts 3 to 6 months. If the treatments are undertaken regularly in the first couple of years, patients usually require fewer treatments over time, often only once a year. Are there any side-effects? Botox is a very safe treatment. The side-effects are not only very rare but also short-lived. Occasionally slight bruising can occur as can temporary drooping of the eyelid, which is reversible. |
