Botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox, is one of the most popular and well known treatments across the world for the reduction of wrinkles. Read on as we answer ‘what exactly does Botox do?’ and other commonly asked questions asked about Botox.
What exactly does Botox do?
There are multiple factors that contribute to the appearance of wrinkles. The most common reason is lack of collagen and elasticity due to ageing. Wrinkles and fine lines are a natural part of ageing that unfortunately cannot be prevented; everyday facial expressions such as squinting and frowning will cause wrinkles over time. Botox is the perfect minimally invasive treatment option for reducing the appearance of these fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox works by injecting small amounts of the toxin directly into the facial muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles and expression lines. By inhibiting muscle contractions, Botox can smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. The effects are temporary and Botox injections typically need topping up every 3-5 months. Botox can also be used as a preventative treatment, the earlier you start treatment the easier it is to address concerns as the skin ages. Our Medical Practitioner Arvin, treats a range of individuals from the ages of 25-65.
The procedure itself takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on how many areas you are having treated. The area of concern will depend on how many injections you will receive.
As well as working to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, Botox can also treat several medical conditions. Some examples are:
- Tension headaches
- Teeth grinding
- Excessive sweating
- Gummy smile
- Downturned mouth
What areas can you have Botox injections?
You can have Botox injected into many areas across the face and also other body parts, such as the underarms which addresses excessive sweating. The most common areas are the crows feet, forehead lines, under eyes and between the eyebrows – these are areas you can typically find wrinkles.
Forehead lines become more apparent as we age, the main cause for them is a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. Excessive lines on the forehead can give the face a more aged appearance. Having Botox injections in this area makes the forehead look much smoother and gives the face an overall rejuvenated appearance, as seen in the amazing before and after picture included below.
‘Crows feet’ are the wrinkles that form at the corner of the eyes. As the skin around the eyes is thin, fine lines and wrinkles can form in this area fairly early due to constant muscle use. These lines usually start to appear just when we are laughing or squinting but can gradually become a permanent feature on the face. ‘Crow’s feet’ are a common area of concern for both men and women, however they can be successfully treated with Botox injections.
Can Botox look natural?
A lot of people associate Botox with looking ‘frozen’ and unnatural. We understand not every patient wants the same treatment outcome and most patients want to acheive natural looking results. Our Medical Practitioner Arvin ensures she injects with precision to achieve the best possible results. When you have treatment at Revitalise Skincare Clinic you can expect to look like yourself just with less noticeable lines.
Botox is not a permanent treatment, if you stop having regular treatments lines and wrinkles will start to appear again. Many patients say they can tell when their next treatment is due as their old wrinkles start to reappear.
Does Botox hurt?
The procedure for administering Botox is minimally invasive and the needle used to inject Botox is extremely small. The injections may cause minor discomfort but most patients experience little to none. Our Medical Practitioner Arvin has treated hundreds of patients, you can ensure you are in safe hands when she is treating you.
For patients with low tolerance that are worried about the pain, a topical numbing cream can be applied prior to treatment to ensure the treatment is as comfortable as possible.
Botox aftercare
Some important aftercare advice includes:
- After treatment it is best to avoid touching your face for at least 24 hours
- Don’t wear makeup for at least 24 hours
- Avoid laying down for around 4 hours, it is important to keep upright and not to lay on your front
- You should also avoid any strenuous activities such as going to the gym
Most people notice results the third or fourth day after treatment however full results can take up from 10-14 days. After 14 days, we invite our patients to come back for a review; at this point a top up is offered if necessary. Immediately after treatment you may notice some swelling or bruising at the sight of the injection however this should disappear soon after.
The importance of going to a professional
There are many clinics that offer Botox, but not many clinics are actually regulated. Botox is a medically prescribed product so legally needs to be injected by a qualified medical prescriber. Revitalise Skincare Clinic is proud to be a CQC Registered clinic, we have yearly inspections to ensure the care we provide is top quality. Our philosophy is to achieve the best results for our patients through safe and high quality services.
Botox works by injecting directly into the muscle of the treatment area, beyond the surface level. Medical professionals receive thorough training so they know exactly where to inject to get the best results. Going to a Beauty Therapist may be cheaper but you can’t guarantee safe and successful results.
If you’re interested in Botox treatment and would like to book in for a consultation with our Medical Practitioner Arvin, please contact Revitalise Skincare Clinic.
Contact Number – 01225 760 556
Email Address – [email protected]
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