What exactly are Wrinkle Injections?
Wrinkle injections are drugs made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically remove wrinkles by temporarily paralysing muscles. It blocks the release of a neurotransmitter and therefore the effect can be titrated or controlled.
Is it dangerous?
It’s important to remember that scientists have used botulinum toxin in small, diluted amounts to human advantage successfully and safely used since 1956; initially to treat children with cerebral palsy, polio and squints. Also, helpfully, its effects are reversible with time. In large amounts, this toxin can cause a form of muscle paralysis known as botulism – usually associated with food poisoning. One of the most serious complications of botulism is paralysis and it is this fact that worries people.
How do wrinkle injections erase lines?
Wrinkle injections work by preventing signals from the nerve cells from reaching muscles, effectively leaving the muscles without instructions to contract, therefore paralysing or weakening them. This effect wears off gradually over 3-6 months on average.
What other concerns can it improve?
Apart from softening lines and wrinkles, wrinkle injections can effectively treat:
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Migraines
- A gummy smile
- Lifting the jowls/corners of the mouth
- Removing muscular bands in the neck (Nefertiti lift).
- Muscular Spasms and tics
- Research suggests it may even help prevent depression.
- Bruxism (grinding of the teeth)
How can I avoid disasters such as some of the Botox ‘botch jobs’ we see in the press?
Before having Botox, it’s imperative that you do your homework and research. Check the experience of your practitioner and don’t be afraid to ask questions such as: How many procedures have they done and have they dealt with or had any complications? This is important because if they’ve done enough treatments, it’s almost certain they would have come across complications as these can arise as a normal side effect of Botox and are not solely indicative of poor administration.
It’s actually reassuring to know that the physician has experienced and dealt with/resolved issues. Some of the most common side effects are an imbalance, heavy eyebrows, headaches and bruising. There are tremendous variations in doses therefore starting low is important. Find out how long the clinic has been running, whether it has registered practitioners and of course, personal recommendations are always reassuring and a good endorsement.
Why is Botox so expensive?
In our opinion, as with all non-surgical procedures, you get what you pay for. Training, regulation, indemnity and experience ensure quality control but unfortunately cost. A clinic with experienced medical doctors with full indemnity will be more expensive than a ‘back-street’ unregulated, uninsured or less-experienced establishment.
Botox is a prescription-only medication and can only be prescribed by doctors, dentists and Nurse Prescribers. The dosage of Botox administered may be reduced to save on cost and this is something to be cautious of where Botox seems particularly cheap. There is unfortunately a black market for unregulated and illegal Botox administration, so that is why it is so important to do as much research as possible.
Will everybody be able to tell I’ve had Botox to treat my wrinkles?
No. Our aim is to make you look like the best version of yourself. This means we want you to look natural, healthy and youthful. We want the patient to control how much movement they wish to have so, depending on the doses we feel is required to achieve your aesthetic goals, we start with a small dose and then we offer a two-week review with a top-up where necessary. Click here for more information on the safe administration of Botox.
I suffer from excessive sweating but if I stop the perspiration under my arms, will I sweat more in other areas?
Botox is a very successful way of preventing sweating under the arms, the hands or the face. It simply blocks the nerves from reaching the sweat glands and decreases the chemical reaction between the two. The good news is that Botox is a highly effective, safe and easy treatment for excess sweating that will only result in slightly increased sweating in other areas or none at all. Read more about it here.
We hope that we have reassured you and alleviated any concerns you may have about Botox treatments. However, we always suggest that you have a thorough consultation with one of our medically trained practitioners. Please feel free to contact us through our online form here or call to make an appointment.
