Botox for facial wrinkles
What is Botox
BOTOX is an extremely successful and popular method of smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles making your face appear more youthful and refreshed. The purified protein it contains has been used in clinical practice for over 10 years.
How does the treatment work?
The treatment works by causing a temporary local paralysis of the muscles it is injected into. It is used to weaken the muscles of facial expression that cause frowning and those that cause crows feet when you shut your eyes. The procedure is very simple and straightforward and in small doses is not harmful, but the effects are beneficial. Using a very fine needle, a minute quantity is injected into the muscles that cause dynamic lines, for example frown lines. These injections are carefully placed at precise positions on your face. The injection temporarily prevents nerve signals from reaching the muscle and, as a result, the muscle relaxes. As the muscle relaxes the skin smoothes out.
Treatment can take as little as 10 minutes and most people return to normal activities immediately afterwards.
Botox should only be injected by an experienced injector who can make sure that the correct amount is injected in precisely the right places. In this way the desired result with a natural look can be achieved.
How long will it last?
The effects are seen after 2-3 days with the full benefit becoming visible after 7 days. It is advised to go for a subtle effect and gradually build on this to suit your needs by repeating the injections at 4-6 month intervals. The smoothing effect of the first treatment usually lasts for up to 4 months.
What are the side effects?
As with all prescription medicines, Botox can cause side effects and your consultant will advise you about these in more detail. Side effects, if they occur, are usually temporary and mild to moderate. Most side effects experienced by patients are short lived and are linked to the injections e.g. pain on injection, redness, swelling etc.
Other side effects such as ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), whilst still temporary in nature can be caused by a spread of the injection into nearby muscles. Choosing an experienced injector will minimise (but not eliminate) the risk of such side effects.
Other benefits
Smoothing out your facial wrinkles is just one of the advantages of this treatment. It can also be used to prevent excess sweating by blocking the nerves to the sweat glands. Migraine sufferers may also benefit from the treatment.
Most people find the injections tolerable, however, some like to use a numbing cream an hour or so before.
After treatment
After treatment, there may be some small bruises and tenderness for the rest of the day, however, you can return to work on the same day.
Facts at a glance
Surgery time |
20-30 minutes |
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Hospital stay |
Out patient |
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No |
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Pre admission tests |
No |
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Reasonably mobile |
Immediate |
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Washing |
Immediate |
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Driving |
Immediate |
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Sport & exercise including gym |
Avoid for 24 hours |
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Full recovery |
Immediate |
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Time off work |
None |
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Long term issues |
Takes 7-10 days to see results and these will last between 4-6 months |