Botox in Surrey from Dr Forrester
Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Botox is the trade name of a form of botulinum toxin. As well as Botox, in the UK other licensed botulinum products include Vistabel, Dysport and Azzalure.
With time, repeated contraction of facial muscles will cause the overlying skin to wrinkle. This ageing process causes a gradual loss of collagen and elastin in the skin resulting in the wrinkles slowly becoming more permanent. We call facial lines and wrinkles caused by underlying muscle activity dynamic wrinkles. By reducing the movement of the muscles in these areas the skin stops being creased and is allowed to relax and heal, resulting in the dynamic wrinkles softening or disappearing completely and the skin looking smoother.
Giving tiny amounts of Botox into wrinkle-causing muscles will temporarily block the chemical signals that make the muscles contract causing them to stay relaxed.
A very fine needle is used to give tiny amounts of Botox into carefully chosen areas of the face. Discomfort is minimal with no local anaesthetic necessary. The procedure usually takes about 10-15 minutes. The effects will begin to show within 2-3 days and will have fully developed after 2 weeks. They will usually last 3-4 months, hence regular treatments are required to maintain a smooth, wrinkle-free look. Some people find that after the first year of regular treatments, further treatments seem to last longer and they may subsequently require treatments less often. If you do not continue with regular treatments then your lines will slowly return.
There is an art to Botox therapy. When skilfully used there will be a smoothing of wrinkles but the face should retain some of its movement and expression. You should still be able to partially frown or look surprised but with smoother skin and significantly less wrinkles.
Rejuvenation with Botox is a simple and safe procedure. Millions of Botox treatments have now been given worldwide. Some localised bruising and minor swelling may occur. Very rarely an adjacent muscle may be weakened for several weeks after injection resulting in eyebrow/eyelid droop or excessive eyebrow lift but these changes are temporary and resolve as the effect of the Botox wears off. No special treatment is needed afterwards; you may resume normal activity and return straight back to work.
It is not recommended that you have Botox if you are breast feeding or pregnant.
In order to reduce localised swelling and bruising it is recommended that you avoid taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen (Nurofen) and diclofenac for a week before treatment with Botox. For similar reasons you should avoid alcohol for 12 hours before treatment.
Read my Blog about Botox Safety
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View Anti-Wrinkle Injections blog archive
