Botox FAQ’s

1) What is Botox and what is it used for?
BOTOX is a natural protein that is used for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. It is most effective when used to reduce or eliminate the horizontal and vertical frown lines and crows feet.

Is Botox dangerous?
Botox is one of the safest non surgical cosmetic procedures available. There has never been a documented allergic reaction to Botox and the only death attributable to the cosmetic use of Botox occurred when a patient was given 1000 times the wrong dose. The effects of Botox are also limited to the face and do not affect other parts of the body.

How long does Botox last for and when do I notice the difference?

Botox lasts for 3-6 months, with regular use the intervals between treatment increase.
You will first notice the difference in 5-7 days with full effect seen at 14 days.

If Botox is not permanent, why should I keep having it?

Firstly Botox is a non surgical procedure.
It has been shown that with BOTOX done back to back (4 times a year) for 2-3 years, the target muscles become significantly weakened.
Thereafter, much less BOTOX would be needed each time or the periods between follow-ups lengthen considerably. Hence it gets more and more lasting to approximate "permanent".

Do the wrinkles come back with a vengeance once Botox has faded?

Absolutely NOT! They go back to the original state or perhaps slightly improved after 2-4 months when the Botox has worn off.
There are long term improvements to fine lines and skin texture that cannot be explained by the muscle blocking action alone. Perhaps without the background muscle tone on the face, some degree of healing takes place, such that fine lines disappear.

What if I don’t have wrinkle or frown lines

Regular use of Botox will delay the onset of wrinkles or frown lines as we age, or when they do appear, they may not be as pronounced as they would have been without Botox.

Will the Botox injections hurt?

A very fine needle is used in the outer layer of the face.
A sedative or anaesthetic cream is not used, because only minimal discomfort is felt when the needle is inserted and the liquid injected. This sensation lasts for a few seconds only.

Who can give Botox?

Only doctors, dentists and non-medical prescribers can prescribe the Botox. Only doctors, dentists and nurses can legally administer Botox.

What is the after treatment care?

Exercise the injected muscles as much as possible for 1hr.
Stay upright as much as possible for 3-4 hours.
No chemical peels, sunbeds, gym work, saunas, steam rooms or laser treatment for 7 days after.
All clients are welcome to see the Doctor within 2 weeks for a complimentary top up.

What are the side effects of Botox
These include mild headache and nausea (which may occur up to a couple of hours after the procedure), bruising around the injection sites (on rare occasions the bruising may look extensive, but will improve within a few days). Botox applied too close to the eye may cause temporary blurred vision. Droopy eyelid may also occur in up to 5% of patients, and this may last from 2-4 weeks.

Who cannot have Botox?
Under 18’s.
Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
Patients with neuromuscular disorders (e.g. Myasthenia Gravis or Lambert Eaton syndrome)
Patients receiving aminoglycoside antibiotics
Patients with bleeding disorders or patients taking plavix, persantin or warfarin. (Patients taking aspirin or ibuprofen or similar medicines should stop these a few days prior to having Botox, but only after checking with their own GP that it is safe to do so.)
Patients with known reactions to any ingredients in Botox.

Dr Awais Mir
at                                                Denham Green Surgery
Icon ,                                                          Queen Mother’s Drive
324 old brompton road                                          Denham
SW59JH                                                      Uxbridge
Middlesex