Botulinum Toxin Treatments
Our facial muscles are in constant use and over time lines and wrinkles form in areas of greatest use. These are known as ‘dynamic lines’. Other factors that contribute to signs of ageing are environmental factors, sun-damage, smoking, diet and alcohol.
The ageing process itself causes the slowing down of collagen and elastin production in the skin, so that as we get older the areas of overuse become damaged and the lines become more pronounced and permanent. Botulinum toxin type A is a protein derivative of a chemical produced by the Botulinum bacteria which, when injected into muscle, causes it to become weakened or inactivated. By reducing the movement of muscles in areas where skin shows lines and furrows, the skin stops being creased and is allowed to recover, causing the lines to soften or even fade away. During the time that the muscles are temporarily deactivated, the patient can break the subconscious habit of overusing these muscles. Depending on each individual and the dose used, the response to the treatment can vary from a relaxation of the muscles to an inability to move the muscles. Botulinum toxin is typically used to treat lines on the upper third of the face. Treatments can be directed to specific areas of the face.
At Clinical Beauty Services we use Botulinum toxin injections to treat areas such as laughter lines, frown lines and bridge of nose, horizontal forehead lines, bunny lines and dimpled chins. Botulinum toxin injections is also used for excessive underarm sweating (hyperhydrosis).
What does treatment with Botulinum toxin involve?
A facial treatment with Botulinum toxin injections can take between 15 – 20 minutes and involves several tiny injections with a very fine needle around the areas to be treated. The treatment is not painful, with only minimal and brief discomfort, often described as an ‘insect sting’. However, Rachael may choose to numb the area with an anaesthetic cream prior to treatment, although this will delay the treatment for a further 30 minutes. Following treatment you should avoid touching the area, strenuous exercise and alcohol for 6 hours. You should notice an improvement in treated areas within two weeks, with results lasting up to 6 months. Maintenance treatment is likely to be required every 3-4 months during the first two years of treatment, with longer intervals between maintenance after two years’ treatment.
How safe is Botulinum toxin injections?
As long ago as 1978, Botulinum toxin was used as a treatment for patients with eye squints by weakening the overactive eye muscle. It has been used in a variety of therapeutic areas such as spasmodic neck, writer’s cramp, tics, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy. It has been used cosmetically for more than 15 years and one full treatment dose is now considered as safe as a quarter of an aspirin!