Whether you are considering Botox treatments in Manchester and Leeds for cosmetic or medical purposes, all patients should understand what Botox treatments are and what they can do before committing to undergoing Botox injections. Equally important is selecting the right practitioner and clinic environment to obtain the outcome you are seeking and for ensuring safety. This page is devoted to explaining: how Botox injections work; how Botox injections are performed; what the implications are for Botox injections; and where to get your Botox in Manchester and Leeds.
Botox: What is it?
Botox is a brand name belonging to Allergan, who manufacture and promote the use of botulinum for both cosmetic and medical applications. Other manufacturers have their own brands of botulinum such as Xeomin. Since botulinum causes botulism that paralyses muscles, scientists have discovered a way to use different forms of botulinum for both medical and cosmetic advantage.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America first approved Botox treatments for medical conditions such as uncontrolled twitching, pain management, excessive sweating in the late eighties. Since then, qualified clinical practitioners have been using Botox for years to successfully treat facial wrinkles. Botox gained FDA approval for treatment of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows in 2002. It is generally accepted by the cosmetic industry that Botox is often used for other areas of the face to smooth wrinkles.
Botox injections: How Do they Work?
Botox injections deliver the drug to the nerves in the muscles which blocks signals that previously caused muscles to contract creating wrinkles. Blocked signals cause the muscles to relax and create a smooth, wrinkle free appearance.
Wrinkles on forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye) and frown lines are reduced in appearance after Botox treatment. Wrinkles created by sun damage or gravity, typically in parts of the lower face, will not respond to Botox and may be more suitable for dermal fillers.
Performing Botox injection treatments: How and by Whom?
For Botox treatments to be most effective, it is suggested that patients avoid alcohol at least one week before treatment. All your past medical history and current medication will be determined and assessed at time of consultation. If a patient is deemed suitable for Botox treatment a prescription will be created. Prescriptions can only be made by qualified doctors, dentists or nurse prescribers. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes and no topical anaesthetic is required. Botox is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It generally takes seven to ten days to take full effect for first time patients and shorter periods for frequent users.
Botox Injections: How Long Will the Botox Treatment Last?
The smooth appearance of wrinkle free skin will generally last for four to six months for frequent users. For first time patients the effect may be shorter as the muscles require more time to adjust. Over time, muscle action gradually returns and the lines and wrinkles slowly begin to re-appear, ready for your next treatment of Botox injection. With subsequent treatments the lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are being trained to relax.
Botox Treatment Side Effects: What Are They?
A possible side effect is temporary bruising. In extremely rare cases, eye lid drooping can occur. The latter can happen if patient rubs their eyes or lies flat during the subsequent few hours after treatment. Eyelid drooping is only a short term side effect. Some first time patients complain of feeling as if their head is ‘heavy’ after treatment; however, this generally wears off by the next day.
Botox Treatment: Who Should Avoid it?
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid Botox treatment. Other contra-indications based on medical conditions will be discussed at the consultation as will the patients expectations. Recommendations will be made in terms of Botox or dermal fillers based on the patient’s own desired effects.
What Next? Botox treatment in Manchester and leeds?
For patients wishing to have cosmetic Botox treatment/Muscle Relaxing injections in Manchester or Leeds, you can ring either our Manchester or Leeds clinics to book your clinical consultation or simply complete the online booking form.
For patients wishing to consider Botox injections in Leeds or Manchester clinic for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) or teeth grinding and masseter injections, you can read our additional web pages given in these hyper-links before contacting our clinic or book online.
