Botox® / Antiwrinkle treatment
Botox® has now been formally approved for cosmetic use under a new name, Vistabel®.
We are pleased to confirm that only Botox® / Vistabel® will be used in our practice and that it will only be administered by physicians who have been fully trained in its use.
Botox® and Vistabel® contain exactly the same tried and tested formulation from the same manufacturer (Allergen).
Botox® treatments include wrinkle relaxing injections (the treatment we all know as Botox®). It is a very popular treatment for deep wrinkles that appear as:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Botox®? Botox® is a purified protein which when injected into a muscle leads to a temporary muscular relaxation. Frown lines, worry lines and laughter lines are all caused by the repeated contractions of facial muscles: relaxing these muscles with Botox injections is a quick, safe and effective way to smooth and soften wrinkles.
What will happen during the treatment? We will undertake a thorough facial analysis and detailed discussion before proposing an appropriate treatment plan. The actual procedure takes just 5-10mins and involves a small number of injections of Botox® solution directly into the muscle groups causing wrinkling.
How quickly will I notice an effect? You will be able to return to your normal daily activities immediately following treatment: there will be no visible changes. The full effect of the treatment will develop over the following 2-14 days.
How long will the treatment last? This varies from individual to individual, but most people tend to have three to four treatments over the course of the first year. The duration of effect often increases with each repeat treatment: eventually you may only require one maintenance treatment per year.
How safe is it? Botox® is considered a very safe medication. It is now approved by medical authorities in over 70 countries worldwide. It has been used widely in UK hospitals since 1977 (with several indications in children) and in the cosmetic industry over the last 15 years.
What are the side effects? There may be slight discomfort as the needle enters the skin, and there is the possibility of a small bruise at the site of the injection. There are many myths and horror stories circulating in the media: any concerns you may have will be addressed thoroughly prior to treatment. No long term side-effects have been reported.
Post-treatment care Clients are advised to stay upright and to try to exercise the areas treated for 2-4 hours following the injections. It is important to avoid massaging these areas though: this is to prevent the diffusion of solution to adjacent muscles.
Dermal Fillers
Fillers such as Restylane® and Hydrafill® are modern medical implants designed to fill out and smooth away lines, wrinkles and folds and to add volume to lips.
This is an excellent treatment for nasal furrows, smile lines, lip enhancement and facial contouring, such as cheeks and chins.
Radiesse® lasts twice as long as older fillers such as Restylane and gives unbeatable results for areas like the nasolabial lines (lines around the nose and mouth). Although it has been used for a number of years and is recognised as the top filler for this area in the USA, it has only recently been launched here in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ‘fillers’ and which areas can be treated? Fillers such as Restylane, Hydrafill and Juvéderm are modern medical implants designed to fill out and smooth away lines, wrinkles and folds and to add volume to lips. This is an excellent treatment for nasal furrows, smile lines, lip enhancement and facial contouring (such as cheeks and chins).
The main component of these two fillers is hyaluronic acid, a biosynthesized version of one of the body’s own natural substances. The amount of hyaluronic acid produced by the body decreases significantly as we age; as a result the skin becomes dryer, thinner and less supple, rendering it increasingly prone to wrinkling. Injecting fillers into the skin simply adds volume where the body’s own hyaluronic acid has been depleted.
What will happen during the treatment? Following a thorough facial analysis and detailed discussion of the proposed treatment plan, the treatment can be started straight away. (No pre-test is necessary as Restylane, Hydrafill and Juvéderm are of non-animal origin.) The gel is injected into the skin in small amounts with a very fine needle, immediately lifting and smoothing out wrinkles with the natural volume it provides.
How long does the treatment take? Treatment time is approximately 30 minutes.
How quickly will I notice an effect? The results are instantaneous.
How long will the treatment last? This will vary from individual to individual. It very much depends on factors such as a person’s age and lifestyle, the structure of the skin, and the degree of correction required. Most clients choose to have a repeat treatment within a year, since the main component of both products (hyaluronic acid) is a natural substance which dissolves over time.
What are the possible side effects? Restylane, Hydrafill and Juvéderm are considered very safe treatments. Both substances are highly biocompatible and biodegradable. A local anaesthetic may be used to minimize any discomfort at the time of injection. Bruising, redness and some slight swelling at the site of treatment does sometimes occur, although rarely lasts more than a few days.
Post-treatment care Gentle massage of the treated skin is beneficial. However, you should not touch the area for at least six hours following treatment. The correct massage techniques will be demonstrated during your consultation.
