Results tend to last 3-4 months Movement will begin recovering from 8 weeks Frequent treatment at intervals of less than 3 months is NOT recommended.

A very fine needle is used and generally this treatment is not painful and can be well tolerated with no anaesthetic. Ice may be helpful in numbing the skin for nervous patients as well as reducing the risk of a bruise.

All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Botulinum Toxin should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training. Side effects include, but are not limited to;

• Bruising
• Swelling at injection sites
• Redness at injection sites
• Asymmetry of expression
• Drooping of the brow, or eyelid (Ptosis)
• Headache or a sensation of ‘tightness’ or ‘heaviness’

Adverse events are uncommon, usually occur within a few days of treatment and are expected to be temporary, usually resolving spontaneously within weeks. Your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your health and evaluate your requirements and goals. Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, is a drug that may only be obtained with a prescription. This implies that in order to determine if you are a candidate for treatment, you MUST meet in person with a licenced prescriber.The doctor, nurse prescriber, dentist, or prescribing chemist MUST be present for this.

• Except in exceptional circumstances this is not a treatment recommended for those under 25 or over 65.
• For best results skin should be in good condition and the target lines not too furrowed. Your practitioner will assess your suitability and advise.
• Botulinum toxin cannot be given to pregnant or breast feeding women.
• Not suitable for patients with certain neurological disorders.
• Not suitable if you are currently taking certain medicines.
• If you have previously experienced adverse reactions to any botulinum toxin treatment.

With any injectable treatment;

• Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• If you are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• If you are currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Caution

• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you.
• If you are planning to attend an important event and any adverse event described would be unacceptable to you, discuss with your clinician in advance of having treatment.
• Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (make you more prone to bruising) as can alcohol- which should be avoided the day before and after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, sauna should be avoided for 48 hours, or as advised by your clinician, after treatment.

If you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or not happy with, please contact the practitioner for advice. If necessary an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

Following therapy, it’s anticipated that you’ll start to feel better in 2 or 3 days. At 2-3 weeks, the complete outcome might be assessed. After two to three weeks, you might receive an invitation to a review appointment where the efficacy of the therapy will be evaluated and, if necessary, changes to your individual treatment plan will be made.

You will be instructed to avoid extremes of heat or cold, strenuous exercise, lying down, or hunching over for 4-6 hours, and to keep the target muscles active for a few hours.

If a facial expression is made with a lot of effort, it might not ‘fully freeze’ it. Your practitioner will inform you that static lines, or lines that don’t move, are not appropriate for botulinum toxin treatment.

Effects vary between individuals due to the amount an dlocation of product used. Treatments are customised to your requirements on the basis that we are all different!