About Botox®
Clostridium Botulinum Toxin A, to give it it’s full title, is administered as a series of small injections. It takes up to 2 weeks to fully take effect following treatment and then typically lasts around 3-4 months. It works by paralysing the muscle and the effects can be seen clinically in two ways.
Firstly, after 2 weeks has passed you will notice that when making facial expressions, lines that were previously created during movement, i.e. crows feet, are no longer created. Secondly over time any lines you have when your face is at rest, will gradually improve once the line has stopped being created, this secondary effect is seen over a longer period of time and with repeated Botox® treatments.
The uses of Botox®
Other applications of Botox® include correction of a gummy smile, in individuals that show a lot of gum when they smile Botox can be used to lower the lip line. Botox® can also be used to reduce excessive underarm sweating and is a popular treatment for both men and women. Underarm sweating usually stops almost completely following treatment, which tends to last 6 months and beyond when used in this way. It is a particularly good treatment if you have a big day coming up, if you work in a hot environment or are in close proximity to others.
Botox® is a prescription only medication and can only be administered once a full consultation to ascertain if an individual is suitable for treatment has been carried out.
Commonly asked questions
Botox is administered as a series of injections with a very small fine needle. Surprisingly it is not particularly painful and most clients would say it is not as painful as having your eyebrows threaded.
Botox takes between 5-14 days to take effect.
Not really, you would be very unlikely to get any bruising or swelling following the procedure and after an hour or so it would be impossible to tell you had had anything done.
The effects of Botox administered to the face last around 3-4 months typically. For clients with a high metabolism or who go to the gym frequently results may ware off faster. The affects of Botox administered in the arm pits to reduce excessive sweating typically lasts around 4-7 months.
