Botox
Botox is a brand name for one of the most commonly known forms of botulinum toxin. It is used as a colloquial term by many to describe the well-known aesthetics treatment. There are many other brands of botulinum toxin type A, the formulation used in modern aesthetics, available. Botulinum toxin is a purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Its use in aesthetics involves its action on muscles. The formula blocks signals to the treated muscles for a period of time.
This advantageous response turns off muscle activity; when used on the muscles of facial expression, for example raising the eyebrows- the forehead will no longer furrow on movement, meaning the erasure of dynamic wrinkles!
There are other fantastic uses, for example the reduction of excess perspiration, and the relief of painful muscles caused by teeth grinding.
Results
How Does Botox Work?
The active substance contained in the product (botulinum toxin (Botox*)) acts on the signal sent to our muscles, which normally tells them to complete their action. It blocks the signal transmission, thereby ‘switching off’ that muscle action temporarily. The end result of this reaction is diminished facial wrinkles on movement, and reduction therefore of static lines.
Some common areas treated on the face are:
The forehead (frontalis muscle)
The Crow’s feet (orbucularis oculi)
The frown (glabella, 11s)
Bunny lines (scrunching of nose)
Eyebrow lift
Lifting of mouth corners (DAO)
Chin dimples (mentalis muscle)
Under eye crease Smoker’s lines/barcode lines around lips
Lip flip (to evert the upper lip and improve show on smiling)
Gummy smile (when your smile causes excess gums to show)
Other uses:
Jaw clenching/grinding muscle (masseter muscle)
Facial slimming (same muscle involved in teeth grinding)
Nefertiti neck lift
Hyperhydrosis (excessive perspiration/sweating)
How Long Does Botox Last?
The treatment does not have an instant result. When you leave the clinic you will have slight redness and a tiny amount of swelling at the treatment sites. This will usually dissipate and the skin will appear completely normal within 20 minutes of treatment.
You will be given aftercare instructions to ensure you get the best outcome and reduce the risk of adverse side effects from the treatment (though the treatment is safe and risk of side effects low).
The treatment will begin to work within a few days post treatment. The effects will continue for up to 2 weeks or more, when the treatment will have had its maximum effect on the underlying muscle.
The results will last on average 3-4 months. In many people results will last beyond this time, but in most, some degree of movement will begin to reappear in this time frame. The muscle action will begin to creep back in on average about 8 weeks or so after initial treatment, to a minor degree, with just subtle natural movement. After 4/5 months, full muscle movement will likely have resumed. There are no guarantees, but most will remain relatively smooth and wrinkle free for around 3 months.
Treatment can be repeated after 3 months if you wish to maintain a smooth look. This is not necessary and you can stop having treatment at any point, without adverse implications.
If you regularly have your Botox treatment done, generally this is done 2/3/4 times per year maximum. Depending on your individual response, for most people you will gradually begin to notice the treatment lasting longer, and your skin appearing smoother than when you began receiving treatment.
Will You Need A Botox “Top Up”?
Wrinkle smoothing treatment with botulinum toxin does not produce an instant result. This means that a generic dose is administered according to your practitioner’s discretion. This will differ based on your injector’s style, and the product being used. As your response to the injections takes up to 2 weeks to reach full effect, you may require a review appointment if you feel the treatment requires a tweak. Dr Olivia welcomes you to book a review appointment should you think you need it, or if you are unsure about any aspects of the treatment. At this appointment Dr Olivia will administer further product if she feels this will improve your result. This is incorporated into your initial cost in most cases.
Your review appointment must take place at a minimum of 2, and a maximum of 4 weeks after your initial visit. After this time, Dr Olivia will not be able to top up your treatment and you should wait until 12 weeks has passed to repeat a new treatment. The reason for this is that if anti-wrinkle injections are repeated at unfavourable intervals, your body may form a resistance to the product used, meaning future treatments could be less effective or entirely ineffective in rare instances.
What Age Can You Get Botox?
Dr Olivia does not perform aesthetic treatments in minors under the age of 18. The age you consider starting wrinkle injections is entirely individual.
It is never generally ‘too early’ or ‘too late’ to start with anti-wrinkle treatment. This is because every person is very different, and ageing begins at different stages of our lives. The best time to start treatments aimed to reduce the formation of static lines/wrinkles is when you begin to see dynamic lines on movement of the underlying muscle, which is noticeable when it wasn’t previously.
If static lines begin to become visible, anti-wrinkle treatments could be considered to eradicate the formation of permanent lines. In some this happens in their early 20s, in others much later in life. Dr Olivia will not perform a treatment if she doesn’t feel it’s in your best interests.
Will Your Wrinkles Get Worse If You Stop Getting Botox?
You do not need to worry about withdrawal side effects from treatment, should you choose to stop having it. There is no bounce back to fret or worsening of lines. If you decide to have the treatment once or multiple times, the resulting effects are the temporary reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, due to the reduced activity of the treated muscle. As treatment wears off, the muscle will gradually return to its normal level of activity, and movement will eventually return to its pre-treatment amount. It will NOT be worse than before, and in many cases will actually be less than it was previously for a prolonged period of time. The effects are pausing the area in time, so when the pause button is released, you are pressing play again, not fast forward!
There is nothing to fear when you see an experienced injector like Dr Olivia, so please ask any questions on your mind without reservations.
What Are The Potential Side Effects of Botox?
Once your treatment is completed, you will be given a series of aftercare instructions to follow. These are simple, and most involve just going about your normal routine.
The treatment will start to kick in a few days after administration. As the treatment works, a small percentage of recipients will have mild side effects. These can be things like minor bruising, a feeling of tightness in the treated area, or a heavy feeling. Whilst the treatment is working, some areas may respond quicker than others, and so temporarily the results could seem uneven and one side is working better than the other. Do not panic about this, as it will usually rectify itself after 2 weeks when the maximal effects are reached. If the discrepancy remains, Dr Olivia will simply administer further product to even out the results and give you the look you are after.
Rare side effects are as stated, rare! These will be detailed at your consultation appointment, but generally shouldn’t be feared. Most side effects are minor, temporary, and self limiting.
Post Treatment
Downtime in most cases isn’t required. After injection, your skin will appear bumpy and red from the injection administration. In virtually all cases, this immediate reaction will have disappeared within 20 to 30 minutes of treatment. If your skin is very sensitive, these effects could last a short time longer, and Dr Olivia may advise you to take antihistamine medication if not contra indicated.
Most clients feel completely comfortable to go about their normal day after their treatment, or even return to work.
In some instances, a small bruise may appear after treatment. If this is the case Dr Olivia will advise you on aftercare to minimise the lasting time. Dr Olivia will inform you if she feels a bruise is likely to form, and will apply pressure to the area to limit the spread.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
The prices for treatment are divided into the number of areas treated in most instances. This will mean the price is tailored to how many areas you wish to have treated.
The price may alter slightly from the set list if Dr Olivia feels you may require significantly more or less product. In some cases there will be a supplement for males, due to the generalised increased strength of the underlying muscle.