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Botox® Information
Here you can find some information that we believe will answer most of your questions. If there is anything you would like to ask us, please do get in touch.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is one of the trade names of a drug called Botulinum Toxin type A. Other trade names include, Bocouture, Azzalure, Xeomon and Dysport.
How does Botox® work?
Botox® works by enabling controlled weakening of muscles. In the case of cosmetics, where treatment is for fine lines and wrinkles, Botox® can be injected into certain muscle groups to temporarily stop them from working. This temporary paralysis of carefully selected muscles can decrease the appearance of certain lines and wrinkles, especially those caused by muscle contraction.
How long does Botox® last?
The cosmetic effectiveness of Botox® has a range of 3 to 4 months, dependent upon injection site. Certain factors can affect how long Botox® will last. These factors include, excessive heat, exercise, rubbing of the treated area, time the body takes to break down the toxin, plus correct storage and reconstitution of the drug from its powder form.
Are there any side effects?
As with any drug Botox® can cause side effects. The most common side effects are; headaches, drooping eye lid, skin redness, localised muscle weakness and face pain. Uncommon side effects include; infection, anxiety, numbness, dizziness, inflammation of eyelid, eye pain and swelling, visual disturbance, nausea, dry mouth, skin tightness, sensitivity to light, itching, dry skin, muscle twitching, flu symptoms, lack of strength, and fever.
Limiting side effects can be achieved by; taking of a full medical history, selecting appropriate muscle sites, injector’s anatomical knowledge and experience, plus infection prevention measures.
Is Botox® suitable for everyone?
Certain groups of people should avoid having Botox®, these include:-
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Pregnant or breast feeding patients.
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Patients with certain conditions affecting the connections between nerves and muscles (such as Myaesthenia Gravis and Eaton-Lambert Syndrome).
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People with a previous allergic reaction to botulinum toxin, or with allergies to egg or human albumin.
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People taking aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as gentamicin)
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Anyone with a skin infection in the area to be treated.
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Caution should be exercised in any patients taking blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin and Clopidogrel, due to the increased risk of bruising. (NEVER STOP TAKING A PRESCRIBED BLOOD THINNER WITHOUT MEDICAL ADVICE)
Who can inject Botox®?
Botox® is a prescription only medicine which needs to be prescribed by a Doctor, Dentist or Nurse Prescriber knowledgeable in its use. The actual injecting can be performed by an appropriately trained person. However, the responsibility for the safety of the patient receiving the injection lies with the prescriber, no matter who injects.
See our blog "Botox® - Choosing a Clinic"
How can Botox® help me?
In cosmetics, Botox® can help soften and sometimes temporarily erase lines and wrinkles found on the forehead, between the eyes (gleballa), crows feet etc. However, Botox® is not just used for cosmetic purposes, it can be used to treat many medical conditions such as, migraine, excessive sweating, spasticity, weak bladder and spasm of the eyelids*. Botox® has been used to great effect for many years and millions of people all over the world have benefited from its use.
What areas can be treated with Botox®?
Botox® can help to treat the lines formed by muscle action on the upper face.
These include:
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Frontalis (forehead) counts as one area
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Glabellar (between the eyebrows) counts as one area
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Lateral Canthus (crows feet, both eyes, counts as one area)
Botox® Price:
1 area £150
2 areas in one session £220
3 areas in one session £280
Useful links and information
If you are interested in finding out more about Botox you can book an appointment with our aesthetic nurse here
"Book a Consultation for the Treatment of Lines and Wrinkles"
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