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There\’92s no doubt about it Botox can be confusing. Potential clients are anxious, even scared about the use of toxins in the skin and what affect this may have.
\’93Can it cause paralysis?\’94, \’93can it affect anywhere else in the body?\’94, \’93will it cause any long term problems?\’94, \’93does it hurt?\’94, and \’93what age should I start getting botox?\’94, these are questions I get asked every day.
There\’92s still a mystery around Botox too. Much of this comes from the lack of regulation, various level of practitioner training and the conflicting information received from various sources. Other uncertainties come from how Botox is advertised to clients. I had no idea what 1, 2, or 3 areas was before I started my training, what products were used and why, and why the difference in cost.
So on to the science behind the magic…
Botulinum toxin is produced from the bacterium clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most powerful toxins known to man and has the potential to cause paralysis in very small amounts. Botox itself is actually a brand name for this toxin and is manufactured by Allergan, and approved for use in the face for muscle relaxation. There are other brands of botulinum toxin, varying in strength and mainly chosen according to their affect on the muscle and the storage requirements by the practitioner.
Now don\’92t let your wrinkles hear this but Botulinum toxin itself is extremely safe in the concentrations used by aesthetic practitioners. Used correctly it can help relax specific areas of the face, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and helping to achieve a more youthful appearance. There is little chance of it causing other side effects on the body in the concentrations used. So say goodbye to those fine lines and wrinkles and embrace the botox.
The toxin itself works by relaxing the muscles it is injected into by stopping release of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine at the muscle synapse, thereby preventing transmission of signal across muscle fibres resulting in a flaccid paralysis. The effect is temporary, lasting from 3 up to 6 months, depending on dose, frequency of injection, and site injected.
There is increasing pressure to regulate this area of cosmetic intervention by government and medical regulatory bodies. Botulinum toxin is a prescription only medication, prescribed in the same way as other medications would be by your family doctor. However prescribers may issue prescriptions for non-prescribers with very little regulation. This means your Botox practitioner may have little or no medical or aesthetic training, increasing the risk of possible side effects and complications. So check and double check your practitioners training, and ask to see some certificates, this is your face we\’92re talking about.
The Department of Health appointed Health Education to advise on a regulatory framework for the delivery of procedures in the cosmetic industry. This training is known as Level 7 Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine. This training ensures practitioners have a standardised level of knowledge, as well as observed procedures with a professional mentor, resulting in a greater level of skill in this area.
So how would I approach getting botulinum injections? Firstly consider why you are considering this type of procedure, what are you unhappy with cosmetically and what are you aiming to achieve?
Choose a good practitioner, someone with lots of experience and evidence of qualification and training. Forget specific terminology such as 1, 2 or 3 areas, and instead arrange an aesthetic consultation. An experienced practitioner will give you all the information and knowledge you need to give an informed choice about moving forward with any treatments. This is likely to include costs, however remember, treatment can be performed in stages.
With regards to age, the earlier the better, before those permanent lines kick in. This usually occurs in the mid to late thirties but could be sooner, depending on previous sun exposure.
Don\’92t we wish we\’92d listened to ours mothers when they told up to slap on the sun cream.
Each practitioner will use different techniques to achieve a similar outcome. Importantly these interventions should be relatively painless. This will depend on the types of needles used and injection technique. Rarely have I had a patient who experienced pain during a procedure, due to the fact that extremely narrow needles are used, 30-33 gauge. Side effects such as bruising or allergy are rare and temporary, but should always be explained prior to any treatment being performed.
During the aesthetic consultation, the practitioner should be able to advise on other treatment options that the client may have overlooked, not considered or been unaware of. Specific areas such as;
Gummy smile (those smiles that sometimes show more gum than teeth) Down turned mouth corners (happens to many of us as we age, making us look permanently sad) Pebbled chin (those small indentations in the chin as we age) Smokers lines (the lines above the lips, often seen in smokers) Neck bands (show your bottom teeth and look for those tight neck bands) Bunny lines (those not so cute wrinkles on the side of the nose)
These are just some of the procedures that may be performed alongside the traditional 3 areas of forehead, frown lines and crow\’92s feet. Botulinum toxin also has other uses, such as reduction of sweating in armpit, hands and feet, which an advanced practitioner will be able to perform. For those suffering from migraine, there may be added benefit of treatment to the forehead and scalp muscles.
So don\’92t be put off by confusing terminology or complicated pricing schedules. Book an appointment with an experienced practitioner and try enjoy the experience. After all looking fresher and more youthful should be exciting and enjoyable…just make sure your in the right hands.
Please feel free to message me directly at info@drpaulelgey.com , @drpaulelgey for FB or www.drpaulelgey.com if you have any burning questions or simply want advice about how I may assist in your treatment goals.
Dr Paul
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