BOTOX™ (the trade name of botulinum toxin type A), is a cosmetic injection. BOTOX™ is a simple procedure in which cosmetic surgeons carefully inject a low dose of the toxin into an individual’s facial muscles, causing temporary relaxation of the injected muscles.

Doctors first used botulinum toxin for health conditions and as a muscle relaxant to treat many muscle disorders, before realising its cosmetic potential. It was pioneered for cosmetic use in 1987. However, when carefully injected by cosmetic surgeons in minute doses, botulinum toxin ‘type a’ can reduce the signs of aging. BOTOX™ was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2002.

Cosmetic uses for BOTOX™ include treating common signs of aging such as horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose, fine lines and crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes. BOTOX™ injections are an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure since they are non-invasive and require little or no recovery time.

BOTOX™ typically reduces wrinkles by 80%. Patients are usually between the ages of 35 and 60, and results will vary from person to person.

A BOTOX™ treatment takes just a few minutes, and during the procedure very small doses of the product are injected into the muscles underneath the wrinkled area to be treated. The exact location of the injection depends of the location, size and use of the muscles. A BOTOX™ procedure does not usually require anesthesia, although sometimes an anesthetic cream will be applied to the area to be treated.

The smoothing effect of BOTOX™ lasts around three to four months before the muscle recovers its original strength. However, due to the way BOTOX™ works, even when the effects have worn off, the remaining lines will not be as deep as before and don’t return to their original condition.

BOTOX™ procedures typically last about half an hour, and the results of BOTOX™ injections are most noticeable one to two weeks after the procedure. BOTOX™ results last approximately three to six months. The effects of a BOTOX™ treatment can be maintained by small ‘top-up’ Botox injections two or three times a year.

While BOTOX™ treatments do not completely eradicate the signs of ageing, they can significantly reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, smooth wrinkles and even prevent new wrinkles from forming. Skin often appears smoother and more youthful-looking after Botox injections.

BOTOX™ can be a beneficial cosmetic ‘middle ground’ for patients who do not want to undergo invasive cosmetic surgery such as facelift yet who need treatment that is more effective than creams etc. For people in their 20's, 30's and over, Botox treatment can postpone or eliminate the need for more invasive facial cosmetic procedures in the future such as surgery or laser resurfacing.

BOTOX™ injection can be used in conjunction with BOTOX™ alternatives, including collagen, Restylane and injectable fillers such as Hylaform (an injectable filler made from hyaluronic acid found in the body), and fat fillers such as Sculptra (an injectable filler that corrects fat loss, including sunken cheeks and eyes).

Your cosmetic doctor may also recommend additional treatments such as chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing or micro-dermabrasion for you to consider in conjunction with BOTOX™, depending on your aesthetic goals and objectives.

Am I a candidate for a BOTOX™ treatment?

Ideal candidates for BOTOX™ injections are young to middle aged men and women, usually between 35 and 60, who do not have significant sun damage but want to eliminate lines and wrinkles on their face and neck.

Unsuitable candidates for BOTOX™ injections include:

• Pregnant or nursing women
• People with allergies to bovine products
• People with certain medical conditions such as neurological diseases
• People with severe allergies (anaphylaxis) or allergy to injected local aesthetics
• Patients taking antibiotics, heart medication and other drugs
• Patients with skin infections on the areas to be treated

BOTOX™ cannot treat:

• Sagging, drooping skin
• Sun-damaged skin

BOTOX™ treatment Procedure Steps

BOTOX™ injections are usually performed in the doctor's office, usually without anesthesia. However, a numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area. Patients may experience some minor discomfort at the injection site. Depending on the extent of the BOTOX™ treatment required, the procedure can take a few minutes up to 20 minutes. Generally, BOTOX™ patients may return home shortly after the treatment is complete.

BOTOX™ Recovery and Healing

You will need little or no recovery time after having BOTOX™ treatment. You can resume your normal activities immediately, but your doctor may advise you to stay out of the sun.

You should not rub or massage the treated area for at least twelve hours after your BOTOX™ injections. Your doctor will also instruct you to avoid bending or lying down for three to four hours after your BOTOX™ treatment, to keep the toxin from moving to other facial areas and allow it to make a solid connection to the muscle.

Any discomfort, bruising or swelling can be treated with mild over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Do not use aspirin as this may make the bruising worse.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any severe pain or symptoms that are progressive or seem unusual to you. Ensure that you talk to your doctor to fully understand the risks, complications and remedies of BOTOX™ treatment.

You may need to return to the doctor’s office in two to three weeks so that the results can be checked and topped up with more BOTOX™ if necessary. After that, you should not need to return for top-up BOTOX™ treatment for three to six months.

BOTOX™ treatment Side Effects and Surgery Risks

BOTOX™ injections are commonly performed and generally safe. However, there is always a risk of adverse reactions or side effects after a BOTOX™ injection, so patients need to be in a medical setting that is equipped to handle an emergency situation. Also, drinking alcohol at or around the time of injection could worsen any bruising at the injection site.

BOTOX™ treatment side effects may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Infection
• Bruising
• Facial pain
• Dry eyes
• Double vision
• Redness and pain at the injection points

These BOTOX™ side effects are usually temporary.

There is no risk of contracting botulism from a BOTOX™ procedure.

If your BOTOX™ treatment has been administered by an experienced physician, the possibilities of serious BOTOX™ side effects and BOTOX™ risks and complications are significantly reduced.

While BOTOX™ was the first drug to utilize botulinum toxin, newer products include Dysport, Myobloc and Xeomin. Each product is a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units, so they aren't interchangeable. Secret Surgery Ltd, use the BOTOX™ brand within their non surgical division of aesthetics.

Persona Cosmetic Medicine is a leading provider of non surgical, medical aesthetic services to include;  Botox, Dermal Fillers, Thread Vein Removal, Chemical Peels, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Skin Rejuvenation & Tightening, Strawberry Laser Lipo Inch Loss, Beauty Therapy, & Semi Permanent Make Up.

At Persona we put our client’s needs first and we are committed to delivering a quality service that works from strict protocols and codes of practice. We only employ medical practitioners to deliver our aesthetic procedures and the team are hand picked by medical director, Dr Lisa Delamaine, for their expertise, experience and advanced aesthetic skills. Only top brand products, which are approved and clinically tried and tested for their safety and efficacy, are chosen for our treatment menu. Their state of the art clinic offers ample parking and is within easy reach of Bexley train station, the A2/ M25 and is less than 10 minutes from Bluewater shopping centre.