As facial muscles contract the overlying skin moves, creating creases. In our younger years these creases disappear when the muscles relax but after years of frequent contraction, the creases become wrinkles that persists even when the muscles are relaxed.
Botulinum toxin is a protein derived from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. It acts on the junction between nerves and muscles to prevent the muscles from contracting.
BOTOX ® is the trade name for the most commonly used preparation. BOTOX ® and other alternatives are prescription medications that can be injected into facial muscles to prevent them from contracting. It improves the appearance of moderate-to-severe lines of the face with noticeable results in days. The effects last 3-4 months for most people. It is usually used to treat the frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines on the forehead and crow’s feet around the eyes but can be used in other areas depending upon your individual needs. Injection of BOTOX ® takes around 15 minutes and any pain is usually minimal and brief.
I aim to give a natural result with a visible improvement in your appearance without changing your facial appearance or making you look artificial. You should look refreshed and rested rather than fake. There is an art to reducing muscle activity whilst maintaining facial expression and a sound knowledge of the 43 muscles in the facial anatomy is key to this. At your consultation I will discuss the areas on your face that concern you the most and devise a personalized treatment plan.
What Are The Potential Risks?
Temporary side effects include local pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, bleeding or bruising but these are uncommon. There are no reported long-term side effects. Direct damage to nerves and blood vessels and reactions to the toxin have been reported but are extremely rare.