Botox®, also known as botulinum toxin, is a non-invasive injectible treatment used to rejuvenate the face. Currently the number one cosmetic treatment used for dynamic (movement associated) lines, Botox® works by relaxing the underlying muscles that cause the skin to crease and develop lines or wrinkles.

Injecting Botox® is a quick and simple procedure that works by weakening the facial muscles used for certain expressions, such as frowning or squinting. When Botox® is injected into a specific muscle it blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscle, which means the nerve cannot tell the muscle to move. The effects last between 3-6 months when your facial expressions will return to normal.

Although it is most commonly used to treat wrinkles, Botox® can also be used to stop you sweating, to alleviate migraines and tension headaches and to correct a square jaw or ‘gummy smile’. Although the cosmetic benefits of Botox® have only been realised in the last two decades, its use in medicine dates back more than 200 years.  Look at some of the Botox® before and after photos from leading cosmetic clinics from around the U.K.

Am I a Candidate? Ideal candidates for Botox® are those who have movement-associated lines and wrinkles, particularly in the upper part of the face, such as around the eyes (crow’s feet), on the forehead and between the eyebrows.

Before Botox® Treatment – Before embarking on a Botox® treatment, you should have a detailed consultation with a cosmetic surgeon to outline your expectations of the treatment. If your problem areas are on the lower part of the face, it may be that a dermal filler could be a more appropriate treatment for you. Alternatively, if you have very deep wrinkles a more invasive cosmetic surgery treatment may be required to achieve the desired results.

During Treatment – First, the area to be injected will be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe. Then, using micro needles and disposable syringes, tiny amounts of botulinum toxin will be injected into the treatment area. The whole treatment should usually take no longer than 10-15 minutes. For your first Botox® treatment, it is usually recommend to treat just one area so that you can become comfortable with the process and the practitioner can see how you respond to your first injections. Depending on the area treated, the dose used, and how you respond to botulinum toxin, repeat treatments will be required every 3-6 months to maintain and improve upon the results. Learn more about how Botox® works right here.

Recovery - Botox® treatments are simple, quick and safe so you can usually resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. Many people have their treatments in their lunch-time and return to work straight afterwards. However, expect to require a repeat treatment every 3-4 months to maintain results.

Uses of Botox® - The upper third of the face is where the best treatment results are obtained with botulinum toxin. Benefits of Botox® include the reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet around the eyes, smoother frown lines and wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows. Learn more about the uses for Botox®.

Risks and Complications - Over the last 15 years, a huge amount of clinical and practical evidence has shown the effectiveness and safety of botulinum toxin. Most patients find that Botox® injections cause little discomfort as the treatment is very quick, the needles used are tiny and only small amounts of liquid are being injected into the skin. Rare risks or side effects from botox® injections include some temporary bleeding, bruising or mild swelling at the injection site.

Botox® Cost - The cost of Botox® injections is usually from £175-£300 per treatment area.

Choosing a Botulinum Toxin Cosmetic Clinic – Botox® should only be administered by experienced practitioners. It is important that your cosmetic surgeon or doctor has a good knowledge of anatomy in order to identify the muscles that require injecting to improve the appearance of movement-associated wrinkles.   Search our directory of doctors, surgeons and clinics from around the U.K including locations such as Harley Street, London Bridge, Golders Green, Sloane Square, Knightsbridge, the City in London Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, South Hampton, Somerset and Dublin.  Start your search today!