Botox
Botox Treatments - Dermal Fillers - Sweating Treatments - Lip Enhancements - Lip Augmentation
What is botox?
Botox or Botulinum toxin (type A) is a natural substance produced by a bacteria. It then gets highly refined, purified then diluted in order to be used therapeutically. There are many companies who produce this and therefore there are many brand names (botox, xeomin, dysport, azzalure)
How does botox work?
When botox is injected into a muscle it temporarily relaxes it. Therefore when used cosmetically, botox is injected into a specific facial muscle, resulting in an inability to wrinkle the skin overlying the treated muscle.
Is botox new?
No! Botox has been around for a long time. It first clinical applications were suggested as far back as 1817. It was first isolated in 1946 and has become more widely used since 1976. Its wrinkle relaxing properties make it the world’s number one non-surgical cosmetic treatment.
Where can I have botox?
Botox treatments are usually performed in 3 areas.
1. The ‘frown’ lines
These are the vertical lines on the forehead that appear when we frown. This is perhaps the most common botox treatment area.
2. The forehead lines
These are the horizontal lines that are on the forehead when we raise out eyebrows. These are commonly called worry lines and are another very common botox treatment area.
3. The crow’s feet
These are the areas outside the eyes that develop wrinkles when we squint or smile. Botox treatments are often performed in this area for smokers and sun worshippers.
How is botox given?
Millions of men and women have had botox injections to amazing cosmetic effect. Tiny doses of botox are injected via fine needles into areas of muscles carefully selected by a trained doctor.
Before the botox appointment
A very small minority of patients (with specific conditions or on certain medications) should not have botox. Also some people will need to stop medications for a short period beforehand. To save a wasted visit, you will be shown these on booking an appointment on-line. Any questions not answered online can be asked over the telephone or email.
The consultation
At the beginning of the appointment, Mr Welck will find out exactly what you want. He will then carefully examine the wrinkles on your face at rest and during expression. A great deal of care is spent tailoring a treatment regime to your exact wrinkles, the symmetry of your face and most importantly your desired outcome.
Once this has been planned, photographs will be taken a s a record of how you looked before the treatment. Then, in comfortable surroundings, you will be asked to fill in a simple questionnaire and to sign a consent form.
The botox treatment
Botox injections usually last under 5 minutes. The needles used are incredibly fine and pain is usually not an issue. If however you are particularly needle-phobic, you can have a numbing cream put on.
You will be lying on a comfortable couch. Firstly the areas will be cleaned with an alcohol wipe. Any make-up can be removed at this stage. The injection sites may then be marked with a removable make up pen. Botox injections will then be carefully and quickly administered.
After the botox treatment
The sites where the botox has been injected look like small mosquito bites. They completely go down within 10-15 minutes as the botox is absorbed. Occasionally there may be a spot of blood which will settle after a dab with a tissue. Finally, you will be given an aftercare instruction sheet and an appointment booked to come back in 2 weeks (when it has completely worked) to make sure all is well. You will be fine to drive straight after the botox treatment.
After-care instructions
These are very simple and easy. You will be given a sheet explaining these.
- Don’t rub or massage the areas injected until the next day. This is to make sure the botox stays in the areas it was placed.
- Try to exercise the muscles injected every 30 minutes or so for the first few hours. This helps the muscles take up the botox. These will be explained to you.
- Don’t lie down for 4 hours after the treatment. This is again to keep the botox in the area it was placed.
- Don’t drink alcohol until the next day.
- Don’t play any vigorous sport or exercise until the next day
The follow-up appointment
At this appointment, you will be asked whether you are entirely happy with the result. After treatment photographs will be taken and compared to the before pictures. These pictures are securely and confidentially stored. Very occasionally, if there is an uneven or inadequate response, a top-up injection may be required. This is usually free-of-charge.
What are the possible side effects of botox?
Botox side effects are uncommon and nearly always temporary.
Some experience very mild discomfort during the procedure, get minor bleeding or bruising.
A minority of patients get a mild tension headache after the procedure (usually resolves with paracetamol).
Less than 1% will get eyebrow or eyelid drooping. When performed by experienced doctors trained in botox, this is very rare. It is temporary and usually resolves in 3-4 weeks. When it occurs it is often due to not looking at the after care instructions.
How long until botox starts working and how long will it last?
Most people will begin to notice effects after 3 days. The effects will become full by 2 weeks
Botox injections usually last 4-6 months. The wrinkles have been shown to reduce each time. It is not true that when the botox wears off your wrinkles are worse than before.
Will my face be frozen and false?
Your botox treatment will be tailored to ensure you have a natural appearance. People will comment on how fresh faced and well you look but you will not have a dramatic change in your appearance. The treatment will not prevent you from expressing yourself as normal, such as smiling, squinting and frowning.
Botox .::. Clinics & Operating Areas
- Botox Radlett
- Botox Mill Hill
- Botox Hertfordshire
- Botox North London
- Botox Chalfont St Peter
- Botox Buckinghamshire
Some common terms we are found for include: botox radlett, botox mill hill, botox hertfordshire, botox north london, dermal fillers radlett, dermal fillers mill hill, dermal fillers hertfordshire, dermal fillers north london, sweating treatments radlett, sweating treatments mill hill, sweating treatments hertfordshire, sweating treatments north london, lip augmentation, lip enhancements, crows feet treatments, sweating treatments, wrinkle treatments, frown lines treatments
Please feel free to get in touch if you are interested in any of the above treatments or just for a consultation via our contact us page.
Mr Matthew Welck is a fully qualified and skilled professional who will be only too delighted to take your enquiry.