Botulinum Toxin Botox

Botox®, Vistabel®, Dysport®, Azzalure®, Xeomin®, Boccuture® in Newcastle, London, Sunderland and Liverpool

Botox®* or Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a highly purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species. It is a non-surgical prescription medicine used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions in patients and gives a softer, smooth and more youthful appearance. It is also used to treat migraine headaches and excess sweating in the armpits (axilla) and palms.

It is one of the best-known treatments to eliminate fine lines, creases and to relax the dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead wrinkles and crow's feet that occur from repetitive muscle movements.  It is used to prevent muscle contractions that cause furrows and fine lines when the face is making expressions.

Botox®* cosmetic treatment is FDA approved to minimize the appearance of glabellar lines (frown lines). It is often used for the temporary reduction of marionette lines at the corners of the mouth and smoker's lines around the lips.

How does Botulinum Toxin work?

It works by blocking nerve transmission to temporarily minimise the contractions of the facial muscles. In younger people with more elastic skin a temporary line is created by the muscle contraction but immediately disappears as the muscle relaxes. As time goes by, the skin develops a permanent crease that doesn’t disappear, even after the muscle relaxes.

The treatment is very popular for both men and women with effects typically lasting from 3 to 6 months. However, recent study in the US now suggests patients receiving Botulinum Toxin treatments can reduce wrinkles with half as many sessions after 20 months.

The study also shows how the injections have a prophylactic effect with patients who first started receiving the treatment in their 30s and 40s are able to prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming.

Procedure -

This is a simple and safe procedure and it generally takes 10 to 15 minutes for the treatment to be carried out which requires no anaesthetic.

Firstly, the skin in the desired area will be cleaned, then Botox®* is administered in very minute amounts and carefully injected into those muscles which produce the lines and wrinkles in the face using a micro-needle or diabetic needle. This reduces the corresponding muscle activity and blocks nerve impulses to those tissues where the wrinkles are formed without affecting the functions/movement of other non-targeted facial muscles, thus maintaining all your natural facial expressions. There is very minimal discomfort during the procedure.

Risk and complications of Botox - 

Botox®* injections are safe when performed by an experienced doctor. The risk/complications are very rare if they do occur, are usually mild and temporary which may include:

• Swelling or temporary redness or bruising at the injection site

• Occasionally slight Headache

• Temporary droopy eyelid or asymmetrical eyebrows (no longer than 2-3 weeks)

• Eye dryness or excessive tearing

Although at the Aesthetic Beauty Centre, our treatments are relatively free of risk, around 1-2% of our patients may experience above unwanted side effects a few days after treatment. Some patients can also develop a mild headache. However, it should be stressed this only affects a small minority of people.

Downtime and recovery -  

Botox®* treatment causes very minimal sensation and discomfort during the procedure. Botox®* is a non-invasive and almost painless non-surgical facial treatment. It has no downtime or recovery period, and you can resume your normal duties immediately after treatment. You should try and avoid the sun for the rest of the day, and ensure you don’t rub or irritate the treated area.

Result -

It will help prevent temporary facial lines developing into permanent lines and slow down the development of other wrinkles in older patients. Actually Botox®* safely and temporarily restores a youthful appearance by reducing the fine lines, creases, and dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movements. Wrinkles begin to fade within 24 hours, with continued improvement over the next five days.It takes about 2 weeks to activate and completely relax the muscles that causes wrinkles and lines so you can see its full effect within 2 weeks.

It lasts for approximately 3-5 months after which the effect will gradually wear off as new nerve endings begin to grow. However this re-growth which causes corresponding muscle activity, starts to slow down in time if you are taking Botox at regular intervals or just before the effects of the previous dose begin to wear off. It has been observed that after 18 - 24 months of continuous Botox®* induced muscle relaxation, there may be a longer interval needed for muscle recovery when Botox®* treatment is stopped.

This treatment can also be used in conjunction with other non-surgical treatments including skin peels and microdermabrasion. When used in conjunction with cosmetic surgery including a brow lift, face lift, eyelid surgery & laser resurfacing it can enhance and maintain results for longer periods.

Botox®* has lost much of its stigma, and is now regarded as just another cosmetic treatment, however it is still classed as a medical intervention. This is a prescription-only medication and should only be considered after a full consultation with a trained doctor or nurse.

The treatment is carried out by the Aesthetic Beauty Centre’s own experienced, trained team of doctors and nurses, representing some of the country’s leading practitioners in facial aesthetics.

Dr. Ashish Dutta- Founder/Chief Surgeon at Aesthetic Beauty Centre has injected numerous Botox®* treatments over the past 17 years with highly satisfactory results. Under his professional experience and guidance, many doctors, nurses and dentists have been trained in this treatment.

Wendy Dutta is a qualified and registered nurse and has been treating patients with Botox since 2002

To know more about Botox®* and the costs - feel free to book a consultation with us here