Botox is the registered trademark of Allergan’s Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) medication. Other licensed and approved BTAs are available for aesthetic use i.e. Bocoture by Merz; Azzalure by Galderma. BTA is used by Beau Toxskin Ltd as one of the treatment options for smoothing unwanted facial wrinkles and folds (and also for the relief of primary hyperhidrosis - excessive armpit sweating). BTA treatments are not permanent so will need to be repeated if the effect is required to continue.

When injected into a muscle, it temporarily relaxes that muscle by blocking the nerve messages going to it. This results in a smoother, more refreshed facial look. BTA is a medicine that MUST be prescribed specifically for you.

Is Botox treatment safe?

BTA has been used for 15+ years as a muscle relaxant in the aesthetics industry with an excellent safety record. It has also been used for over 30 years in medicine for both adults and children, to treat a variety of medical conditions e.g. spasticity; excessive sweating (though NHS funding is being withdrawn for this); and migraine.

What happens during Botox treatment?

Before treatment:

You will be assessed in a detailed face to face consultation with your prescribing healthcare professional to ensure you are suitable for treatment. A facial examination and treatment options will be discussed in full. Consideration of existing medications and medical conditions is essential with full medical consent obtained if you wish to proceed with any treatment, and an appointment date will be given.

On treatment day:

Your skin will be cosmetically cleaned (to remove makeup) and medically cleansed (for infection minimisation) prior to assessment of the muscles. Appropriate injection points are then marked. A very fine needle is used for the treatment with minimal or no discomfort usually experienced during the procedure.

After treatment:

Aftercare advice is discussed (and written) before leaving the clinic and a 2 week review appointment is given. This enables Beau Toxskin Ltd to consider the effects of, and your satisfaction with, your BTA treatment. Adjustments may be made, including to unwanted remaining muscle movement as required. This review and adjustment when indicated, is included in your treatment cost.

How long does Botox treatment take to do?

The treatment itself will take 15 to 30 minutes to administer, and you are able to return to work/your usual activities immediately after treatment (including driving).

Does Botox treatment hurt?

There is usually minimal to no discomfort associated with this treatment, because only very fine needles are used. Ice may be applied for pain relief prior to injection if indicated. No other analgesia is normally required.

How long does Botox treatment last?

The effects of treatment are not immediate, but maximum effects are seen between days 5 -14 post injection. Research shows that movement, (and its associated wrinkles), may start to reappear gradually from around week 10, with return of normal movement around 3 to 4 months after the initial injection date. Some people may have longer lasting effects up to 6 months. The duration of treatment can be influenced significantly by lifestyle choices which will be discussed as appropriate to you in your consultation. In some people, wrinkles may return to a less noticeable state after repeated treatments as the unconscious muscle habit is broken e.g. frown lines.

Are there any side effects with Botox treatment?

Slight swelling and redness should be expected immediately after treatment. Bruising is also a possibility, as is a headache or flu like symptoms which all usually resolve within a few days.

Other rarer, but temporary, side effects are associated with BTA treatment e.g. eyebrow; eyelid; or corner of the mouth droops; dry eye; double vision. These may last a few weeks but will resolve fully. It is important to follow your aftercare advice to prevent the risk of migration and get the maximum benefit and duration from your treatment.

As with all medications, there is a risk of allergic reaction but this is very very rare in aesthetic uses of BTA.

Conversely, positive side effects may include the reduction of tension headaches due to relaxation of the forehead muscles.

What should I avoid before and after Botox treatment?

Alcohol and excessive heat/sweating should be avoided prior to and immediately after treatment. Certain blood thinning medications should avoided if possible but the relevance of this will be discussed in your consultation and appropriate advice given to your particular circumstances. Those wearing makeup, will have it removed prior to treatment, and it is preferable to avoid reapplication for a few hours post treatment to reduce the risk of infection after injections. If reapplication is essential to you, please ensure you have a new mineral makeup and clean brush available. Detailed advice specific to your case will be discussed in your consultation.

How often can I have Botox treatment?

This treatment is not permanent so as the treatment effects wear off, wrinkles will return. Treatments should not be administered more regularly than every 12 weeks, but may not be required for longer in some individuals, especially when treatments have been repeated in the same area.

Can everyone have Botox treatment?

BTA is a relatively safe treatment in the right practitioner hands, but it causes muscle relaxation, so is not suitable for everyone.

BTA Treatment should be avoided if you:

• have a chronic muscle weakness disorders e.g. Myasthenia Gravis; Eaton-Lambert Syndrome. (These should be disclosed confidentially with your practitioner at consultation as more suitable alternative treatments may be available).
  
• are pregnant of breastfeeding;
  
• you have had a previous allergic reaction to BTA (or any of its excipients).
  

Caution is required, due to the risk of bruising from injections:

• in those with blood clotting disorders such as Haemophilia and Von Willebrand’s Disease; those requiring anti-coagulation therapy e.g. heparin, warfarin, aspirin;
  
• if using natural blood thinners e.g. Gingko Balboa, St John’s Wort and Vitamin E, garlic.
  

Please note: Beau Toxskin Ltd does not provide aesthetic BTA treatment to those under the age of 21 years so photographic proof of age may be required prior to accepting you for treatment.