Anti-wrinkle Injections

What is Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum Toxin Type A is a neurotoxin which temporarily weakens the muscles responsible for facial movement. This means it can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by facial expression. Many patients are aware of using it for this purpose but it can also be administered to help with muscle spasms or stiffness making it very effective for treating headaches caused by teeth grinding or jaw tension.

Another treatment use for Botulinum Toxin is to reduce excessive sweating (Hyperhydrosis) as it blocks signals from the nervous system and prevents them from releasing sweat.

Please read below for more information on each of these areas

Botulinum Toxin Type A for Facial Aesthetic Procedures

Anti-ageing

Botox is most commonly used for anti-ageing treatments due to the psychological impact this can have on you. It can be used to combat different types of wrinkles and lines. We use Botulinum Toxin for:

• Brow lift
• Contouring the lower face
• Chin dimpling
• Reducing the appearance of a sad mouth
• Bunny lines
• Frown lines

Platysmal Bands and Nefertiti Neck Lift

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and it can start to appear sagged. This in particular happens to the skin around the neck, creating what is often called ‘a turkey neck’. We offer different treatments that address the loosening skin and visible platysma bands.

The Nefertiti Neck Lift is a fairly new technique which uses Botulinum Toxin to redefine and reshape the jawline. If applied correctly, it will also soften marionette lines on the neck, which counteract the effects of ageing and loss of elasticity.

The treatment consists of injections along the lower jawline and the platysma muscles in the neck area, which provide an uplifting effect to the neck and jaw area. By relaxing the neck muscles and facial muscles, it creates an upward pull, reducing the sagginess of the areas.

This lift targets the area around the jaw-line and helps contour the upper neck. The Nefertiti lift reduces the appearance of ‘jowls’, tightening them with Botulinum Toxin injections.

Gummy smile

If you feel that you show too much gum when you smile, you can have botox applied in your upper lip to reduce the hyper-active muscle action that causes your lip to move too much.

Botulinum Toxin Type A for Hyperhydrosis

Hyperhydrosis
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a preparation of protein. When small doses are injected into the skin, it blocks the signals from the nervous system that supply the sweat glands. This stops them working so hard and prevents them from releasing sweat. For those with Hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) this treatment can be extremely effective and help to reduce the embarrassing effects of excessive sweating. Areas that can be treated include underarms, palms and soles of feet and the top lip.

Botulinum Toxin Type A for Headaches and Jaw Tension

Botulinum Toxin Type A is a neurotoxin that can be used to treat muscle spasms, stiffness, chronic migraine and headaches due to teeth grinding, jaw tension and lockjaw in cases of severe stress.

The TMJ joint is located where the jawbone meets the skull. This joint can be overworked due to excessive tooth grinding or jaw tension which causes it to become inflamed or displaced. As a result, a patient may suffer severe tension headaches or pain in the jaw and associated muscles (Masseter Muscle and Temporalis Muscle). Botulinum Toxin Type A helps to relieve this tension by preventing these muscles from becoming overactive and as such relieves the headaches and facial pain.If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, you may want to consider using Botulinum Toxin treatment. Studies have proven that the toxin, when injected at sites around the forehead, reduces the chance of a migraine attack.

We strongly suggest that you talk to your GP about chronic headaches and migraines before choosing Botulinum Toxin treatment.

What does the treatment involve?

An ultra-fine needle is used to precisely deliver small amounts of a product. Generally there is no need for local anaesthetic as the procedure does not cause much discomfort. Treatment itself takes around 10-15 minutes.

How long does the treatment take to work

After treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A for glabellar lines or crows feet, you should start to see an improvement within 2 to 3 days. Other treatments can take up to 14 days to see any effect but the full effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A can take up to 30 days. During this time, you may require a small top up and we will normally book an appointment for this 2 weeks after your initial treatment to assess whether this is needed.

How long do the effects last for

The benefits of treatment usually lasts between 4 and 6 months, but can vary depending on your individual response. For some individuals, the benefit of treatment lasts between 3 to 4 months. The treatment is temporary so you may choose to repeat the procedure to keep the effect.

Treatment is not recommended if

• • you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • you have been diagnosed with or have a family history of neuro-muscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis
  • you are taking certain antibiotics (amino glycosides, such as neomycin, gentamicin, strepto mycin and kanamycin) or use any drugs as muscle relaxants
  • you have any bleeding disorder or are taking anticoagulant drugs

Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A

The most common side effects are headaches and injection site reactions (e.g redness, swelling, irritation, rash, itching, numbness, pain, stinging, bruising and bleeding). Normally these reactions are mild to moderate, reversible and occur in the first week after treatment. There is also a small possibility of slight drooping of the eyelid, eyelid oedema or visual problems.

Resistance to Botulinum Toxins

Resistance to botulinum toxins can occur if neutralizing antibodies develop. This is noticed when a patient initially responds well to botulinum toxin for the treatment of wrinkles, but then experiences a decreased effect or no effect after subsequent treatments.

If resistance is suspected, it is suggested that the patient defers from any more botulinum toxin treatments for at least 3 months. Following this, a variant of the toxin can by tried such as Botulinium Toxin type B.

As this type of resistance is unforeseen and can occur at any point, we are unable to offer refunds for Botulinum Toxin procedures. Although this resistance is uncommon, patients need to accept that the results are not guaranteed and they may not be consistant after every treatment.

Before And After Treatment