Mr Blackburn performs Botox treatments at all the hospitals where he consults privately. He will consult with you prior to your treatment to ensure that Botox will address your needs. He will take pre-Botox photographs for your medical record and see you 2 weeks afterwards to ensure that you are happy with your result and top up any areas that may be needed.
WHAT IS BOTOX?
Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum toxin. It is produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Botox acts by blocking a chemical that is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction and sweat gland excretion. This results in temporary muscle paralysis and reduction in sweating. Botox has a long safety record. It was first used in 1978 to weaken over active muscles that move the eye and has been used cosmetically since the 1990s.
ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS
Wrinkles are part of the ageing process. They are folds in the skin that occur as a result of long term smiling, frowning, laughing and gravity. They are worsened with age as the skin losses elasticity and this is exacerbated by sun damage and smoking. Wrinkles due to the effects of gravity will not be improved with Botox. They will only be improved by a surgical tightening procedures such as a face lift. Botox injections weaken the muscles of facial expression and thereby reduce or stop the wrinkles in the area injected. It is particularly good for frown lines, crows feet and forehead lines. When done well, the Botox will reduce wrinkles associated with negative expressions like frowning and give a smoother, more youthful complexion.
EXCESSIVE SWEATING
Excessive sweating affecting the armpits can be very embarrassing. If simple treatments such as strong antiperspirants and anti-cholinergic medicines have not helped or are not tolerated, Botox is a safe non surgical method to treat this problem. Just like when using Botox for anti-wrinkle treatments, the effects are temporary and will need repeating.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT THE TIME OF YOUR PROCEDURE?
Botox is injected using a very small needle. Several injections are usually needed at specific sites, depending on the area treated. Localised discomfort and bruises can occur, but no sedation or injected local anaesthesia is generally required. Topical numbing cream can make the injections more comfortable but this needs to be applied at least 30 minutes beforehand. Normal activities can be resumed soon afterwards.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?
Botox usually takes effect 2-3 days after injection, with maximum effect at about 2 weeks. The effects generally last for approximately 3-6 months when used on the face. Sometimes longer lasting effects (9-12 months) are seen after treatment of excessive sweating. When a gradual fading of treatment effect is noticed you may return to have another treatment.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
As stated previously, it has no effect in reducing the fine lines on the face caused by sun damage, and lines due to sagging of facial skin. In patients with very heavy lines, repeated treatments may be needed for maximum effect. After multiple treatmetents, some patients may develop resistance to Botox due to antibody formation. In this instance the effects may be foreshortened and a different toxin preparation may be needed.
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT?
The use of Botox is contraindicated in people with neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, those who are taking certain muscle relaxants, antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, pregnant or breast feeding women, those with infection or inflammation at the proposed site of injections, and patients with bleeding disorders.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Potential Botox side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding, bruising, asymmetry and allergic reaction. Also, dry mouth, fatigue, headache and neck pain have been reported. It is possible for the Botox to spread a little beyond the intended injection site and affect surrounding tissues. Very rarely excessive weakening of the target muscles and paresis of adjacent muscles can occur, resulting in facial weakness. This is self-limiting. When injecting close to the eyebrows or upper eyelids, they could be affected and may droop temporarily (1:100). This can be corrected with eye-drops but will also improve as the effects of the Botox wears off.
Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum toxin. It is produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Botox acts by blocking a chemical that is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction and sweat gland excretion. This results in temporary muscle paralysis and reduction in sweating. Botox has a long safety record. It was first used in 1978 to weaken over active muscles that move the eye and has been used cosmetically since the 1990s.
ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS
Wrinkles are part of the ageing process. They are folds in the skin that occur as a result of long term smiling, frowning, laughing and gravity. They are worsened with age as the skin losses elasticity and this is exacerbated by sun damage and smoking. Wrinkles due to the effects of gravity will not be improved with Botox. They will only be improved by a surgical tightening procedures such as a face lift. Botox injections weaken the muscles of facial expression and thereby reduce or stop the wrinkles in the area injected. It is particularly good for frown lines, crows feet and forehead lines. When done well, the Botox will reduce wrinkles associated with negative expressions like frowning and give a smoother, more youthful complexion.
EXCESSIVE SWEATING
Excessive sweating affecting the armpits can be very embarrassing. If simple treatments such as strong antiperspirants and anti-cholinergic medicines have not helped or are not tolerated, Botox is a safe non surgical method to treat this problem. Just like when using Botox for anti-wrinkle treatments, the effects are temporary and will need repeating.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT THE TIME OF YOUR PROCEDURE?
Botox is injected using a very small needle. Several injections are usually needed at specific sites, depending on the area treated. Localised discomfort and bruises can occur, but no sedation or injected local anaesthesia is generally required. Topical numbing cream can make the injections more comfortable but this needs to be applied at least 30 minutes beforehand. Normal activities can be resumed soon afterwards.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?
Botox usually takes effect 2-3 days after injection, with maximum effect at about 2 weeks. The effects generally last for approximately 3-6 months when used on the face. Sometimes longer lasting effects (9-12 months) are seen after treatment of excessive sweating. When a gradual fading of treatment effect is noticed you may return to have another treatment.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
As stated previously, it has no effect in reducing the fine lines on the face caused by sun damage, and lines due to sagging of facial skin. In patients with very heavy lines, repeated treatments may be needed for maximum effect. After multiple treatmetents, some patients may develop resistance to Botox due to antibody formation. In this instance the effects may be foreshortened and a different toxin preparation may be needed.
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT?
The use of Botox is contraindicated in people with neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, those who are taking certain muscle relaxants, antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, pregnant or breast feeding women, those with infection or inflammation at the proposed site of injections, and patients with bleeding disorders.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Potential Botox side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding, bruising, asymmetry and allergic reaction. Also, dry mouth, fatigue, headache and neck pain have been reported. It is possible for the Botox to spread a little beyond the intended injection site and affect surrounding tissues. Very rarely excessive weakening of the target muscles and paresis of adjacent muscles can occur, resulting in facial weakness. This is self-limiting. When injecting close to the eyebrows or upper eyelids, they could be affected and may droop temporarily (1:100). This can be corrected with eye-drops but will also improve as the effects of the Botox wears off.
