BTX (BOTULINUM TOXIN)

Botulinum Toxin (BTX)

Increasingly, people are turning to cosmetic treatments to enhance and rejuvenate their faces. Botulinum Toxin, is commonly used for a range of cosmetic enhancements including the softening of frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet. It is an effective and predictable way for those looking to check the development of new lines in the face that arise as an effect of the ageing process. Botulinum Toxin is commonly known as Botox.

Here are some of the common questions and answers related to Botulinum Treatment.

WHAT DOES IT TREAT?

BTX treatments are used to reduce dynamic lines and wrinkles that form in the upper face.

As we age, changes occur at different rates to the upper, mid and lower face. In the upper face, ‘dynamic’ lines appear in the forehead and around the eyes when we smile or frown. These lines appear because various muscles contract to form different facial expressions. Over time, these expression lines begin to linger a little longer or become a little deeper, even when the face is at rest (these are called ‘static’ lines). BTX relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles to help refresh  facial appearance.

WHAT IS BOTULINUM TOXIN?

BTX is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a refreshing look. Its active ingredient is derived from bacteria in sterile laboratory conditions in much the same way penicillin is manufactured from mould. As it is a prescription-only medicine, BTX treatments are only available from qualified medical professionals.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

BTX treatment works by relaxing facial muscles that cause lines when you smile or frown.

It is registered for treatment of crow’s feet, forehead lines, and glabellar frown lines.

BTX treatments relax wrinkle-causing facial muscles. These treatments are very different from dermal fillers including those that are made from naturally occurring sugar gels. These fillers are injected below the skin to fill in lines and replace or enhance facial volume in areas such as the cheeks or lips.

Glabellar frown lines are vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows when you frown.

Crow’s feet are the lines that radiate from the corners of your eyes. They are particularly pronounced when people squint or smile.

Forehead lines are horizontal lines that form when you raise your eyebrows.

WHAT DO BTX TREATMENTS INVOLVE?

BTX treatments are quick , simple and non-surgical procedures. During treatments, a small amount of the drug is injected into specific facial muscles with a very fine needle.

Treatments generally take around ten minutes. Typically any pain is minimal and brief. No anaesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately. It is important to follow the aftercare instructions.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Generally people start to see results within 3-4 days of their treatment and it can take from 10-14 days for full results to be visible.

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?

The effects of the treatments usually last up to four months and gradually decrease over time. If you have regular treatments the effects may last longer.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN THE BTX RESULTS?

Regular treatments may help the longevity of the treatment’s effects. In addition, regular treatment may help reduce static wrinkles (those present even when your face is at rest).

FACT:
BTX is intended to enhance and refresh your looks. Treatment will only relax muscles beneath the facial lines at the point of injection, so that other elements of facial expression remain active. If you choose not to have further treatments your muscles will eventually return to normal activity and your facial lines will gradually revert to their pre-treatment levels.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

In the treatment of upper facial lines, the doses that are used are small. In the majority of causes, any side effects are temporary and limited to where BTX was injected. Possible side effects include pain. burning or stinging. bruising, swelling or redness at the injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eyelids or eyebrows, swollen eyelids and skin tightness, tingling sensations, itching or aching forehead, headaches, nausea and flu-like symptoms.

FACT:
BTX is also used to treat a variety of medical conditions including certain types of headaches.