Botox

We inject a purified protein that relaxes small facial muscles. It is most often used for cosmetic purposes in the small muscles of the face which contributes to frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead or lip lines, and down-turned corners of the mouth. It is also used and licensed for medical indications.

A doctor can consult and administer in one convenient treatment, as they are allowed to keep stock. Nurses are not allowed to keep stock of POM drugs and legally have to order drug in for each individual patient.

Careful research to find a professionally regulated, fully trained and insured practitioner is vital. Our clients are often shocked to realise that the cosmetic injection market is totally unregulated in the UK. In other European countries ONLY doctors can administer these treatments but in the UK there are an increasing number of poorly trained practitioners offering treatments. If they have ANY training at all it can be done in one day with scant hands on experience. Many practitioners also make misleading and irrelevant claims about previous experience which has no bearing on their ability to practice cosmetic dermatology. The Government is currently looking into regulation of the market to improve consumer safety.

This is a very important question. The active ingredient is the same. In larger amounts it can cause Botulism. Botulism poisoning, although rare, can occur if a person eats contaminated food. The bacteria make huge amounts of toxin, which circulate throughout the body and cause symptoms of botulism. Cosmetic treatment uses extremely small does of toxin (under 50 units), it can be injected into specific muscles of the upper face very safely. Clinical studies of over 20 years have shown Botox to be effective and safe. Skilled injectors target very specific injection sites for the desired cosmetic effect.

Paul has been treating patients with Botox since 2002. He is fully trained and we only use properly sourced products from reputable suppliers with professional quality control.

Pregnant women, nursing mothers, or people who have myasthenia gravis or muscle diseases.

There is no irritation or inflammation. Occasionally there may be a very mild sting. Certainly, but no anesthesia is needed prior to injections. However, we have found that our clients’ sensitivity varies enormously and we offer anaesthetic cream for those who want to use it. We use tiny needles.

It is always important to let your doctor know if you are taking any other drugs, especially antibiotics such as amino glycoside. These types of antibiotics may increase the effect of Botox.

Experience tells us, it takes 7 to 10 days for most patients to see the effects. Some patients notice the effects in as few as 3 days. Most patients get 90% relaxation of these muscles. A recent study in the USA showed that treatment lasted from 3 to 8 months for upper facial wrinkling, in most patients it lasts 3 to 5 months. Yes, repeated injections are performed to maintain a benefit over a long period of time usually three times a year. The treatment can be performed for as long as is required. With continued treatments the effects are more lasting.

Because of the tiny doses that are used for facial wrinkling, no significant side effects have been reported. Patients sometimes have a feeling of stiffness or numbness in the area injected, however, as the nerves of touch are unaffected, this sensation is transient and disappears in a few days.

Because Paul has administered so many treatments he is able to ‘relax’ around 90% of muscle activity and allow for a natural result. Lines and wrinkles are smoothed out and, as the muscles are not contracted they start to get smaller and the lines less deep.

This happens when the injector doesn’t have the skill or basic understanding of the facial anatomy to know where to place fine adjustments to even up your facial muscles. There is no formal training scheme or regulation for cosmetic injections and unfortunately there are many practitioners who have very little experience and scant knowledge.