Botox

Botox is not magic. It‘s a medicine. Botox is a highly purified protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way that penicillin comes from a mould. Botox will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you’ve had a facelift. It will not make you look twenty years younger. It will not “freeze” your facial expression.  It softens them and it work where you want it to.  It does not travel throughout the body and does not remain in your body indefinitely.

Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions. Botox relaxes the tiny facial muscles that cause expression lines, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming.

Botox works on the specific areas treated. Other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained. It will not “freeze” your facial expressions. It softens and works where you want it to.

What to expect from the treatment? Our doctor will determine exactly where to use Botox to achieve the best results. No anesthetic is required although your doctor may use ice before injecting. Treatment takes around 10 minutes.  A tiny amount of Botox   is placed in selected facial muscles via tiny injections using a very fine needle. Discomfort is minimal and brief-most patients describe it as an ant bite sting for a few seconds.

Most people resume normal activities immediately. After injection, it takes 2-3 days for Botox to begin taking effect and around 7 days to see the full effect.

Botox lasts for up to four months, depending on the individual. You can decide to repeat the procedure as you wish. The result will wear off gradually and expression lines slowly return. To maintain the effect you will require repeat injections 2-3 times a year. Studies show that with repeat Botox treatment, the effect can last longer so you may require  less  frequent  treatment  in the future to maintain the result you have come to like in the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effect are temporary and  localized to the area of injection. These include soreness or mild bruising, which can be easily covered with makeup. Headache, and less commonly, you may develop a heavy eyelid lasting 1- 4 weeks which your doctor may be able to treat.  There have been no permanent side effects of Botox reported.

BOTOX is used widely for the elimination of:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead  wrinkles
• Crows feet or smile lines around the eyes

Is Botox a common cosmetic procedure?

Botox was the number one cosmetic procedure in 2001, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In the United States 1.6 million Botox procedures were recorded in 2001, making in the most popular option amongst all cosmetic procedures.

Is it suitable for men?

Botox is equally effective on men and women. Over 220,000 Botox procedures were performed on men in the United States in 2001, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men. Because it is effective for stress {frown} lines, it is popular with many businessmen to leave them looking more refreshed and approachable.

Is Botox expensive?

When considering your facial enhancement options, Botox is quite affordable. Many people are surprised at the relative cost compared to other appearance related investments such as facials, hair coloring and wrinkle creams. As one patient reported: “Botox is surprisingly affordable- around the same as three facials or a few visits to the hair colorist “.

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?

No. your lines will gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance. This may take 6 or 12 months.

Can Botox combined with other procedures?

Botox is often used in combination with collagen or laser resurfacing. In fact, studies have shown CO laser resurfacing alone gives less improvement than when performed with Botox.