Botox by Allergan is the most popular brand of botulinum toxin and is approved for use in 95 countries around the world. It is most used to treat lines and wrinkles on the face but does have some additional uses such as for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and to treat muscle spasm.
Botox helps reduce wrinkles by paralysing the muscles underneath the skin. A lifetime of muscle contractions during smiling, laughing, or frowning creates permanent wrinkles in the skin. By targeting certain muscles, a good practitioner can use Botox to prevent the frequent facial movements which cause wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines, while maintaining natural facial expressions.
Botox was approved by the FDA in 1989, but it had been in use in a medical context since the 1950s. In the 1960s it was being used to relax the muscle that caused crossed eyes and by the 1980s was being used to treat several conditions such as cerebral palsy and facial spasms. In the 90s it was further discovered that Botox could be useful in treating bladder incontinence and writers’ cramp, and by the late 90s it had become a popular treatment for wrinkles.
Botox’s history of use in a variety of medical situations means that it has earned its reputation for being one of the safest cosmetic treatments you can have.
In the last 10 years Botox has grown in popularity and is no longer reserved for the rich and famous. Botox is now used by people all over the world to help them feel their best.
When administered by a qualified medical practitioner and with careful aftercare, Botox is considered one of the safest and most effective treatments for wrinkles.
Every person and situation is different, so we usually ask patients to wait for 14 days before they expect to see the full result of their Botox treatment. Some patients report that they see results within 48 hours, for others it can be longer.
But the effects of Botox can last for up to six months, but it varies from person to person. In most situations however, patients can expect Botox to last for around three months.
When administered by a qualified medical professional, Botox is very safe with minimal side effects. However, it is very normal to experience pin prick marks at the needle entry point, redness and/or bruising after treatment, which will usually subside within a few days.
Due to the lack of research around the effects of having Botox treatment during pregnancy, Botox and other injectables should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But if you have had Botox before you found out about your pregnancy (congratulations by the way), don’t panic! The amount of Botox that is usually administered is tiny and is highly unlikely to have reached other parts of your body.
Remember the skin naturally retains water during pregnancy anyway, so you’ll be glowing!
But do mention it to your doctor if you have had Botox during early pregnancy.
We recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise or touching the area where you have had treatment for 24 hours after having Botox.
The current guidelines are that everyone who is eligible to have the vaccine should have it, and there is no research that shows that the covid vaccine interacts with Botox.
However, as with other injections, it is recommended that you wait at least two weeks between getting Botox after having your Covid vaccine.
Remember to mention any recent medication or medical treatments to your practitioner before your cosmetic treatment.
We recommend that you wait 24 hours after treatment before vigorous exercise.
These are just our ten most asked questions about Botox, but there are many, many more.
Remember, when it comes to your health and wellbeing there are no silly questions! A good practitioner like Emma will welcome your questions so don’t be afraid to ask if you have any concerns at all.