FAQs: Anti-Wrinkle Injections

• Botulinum toxin type A, often referred to as Botox® is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. The toxin blocks the transition of chemical messages sent from the nerve ending to cause the muscle to contract. Without these messages, the muscle stays in a resting state until the body produces new ‘messengers’. This recovery takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks on average.
• Licensed brands of botulinum toxin A include,’ Botox®, Bocouture®, Xeomin®, Azzalure®, and Dysport®. All botulinum toxins are prescription only medicines (POM) and can only be prescribed by prescribing nurses and pharmacists who hold a prescribing qualification, and doctors/dentists, following a face to face assessment and consultation with the qualified prescriber.

After treatment it is expected that you will start to see an improvement within 3 or 4 days. The full result may be judged at 3 weeks. You will be invited to attend a review appointment at 3 weeks where the success of the treatment may be assessed and adjustments to your personal treatment plan made, if necessary.

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

It may not ‘completely freeze’ the expression, particularly if extreme effort is exerted to make an expression. Botulinum toxin is not suitable for lines present without expression (static lines), your practitioner will advise you.

There may be only a partial reduction in movement this very much depends on the amount administered and location of product placement – This is not a one size fits all treatment and may be tailored to suit your individual requirements and expected treatment outcomes – discuss this with your clinician at the time of consultation. 

Your clinician will take a detailed medical history and an assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you. Botulinum Toxin is a prescription only medicine. This means that you MUST have a face to face consultation with a licensed prescriber to assess whether you are suitable for treatment. At Appearance Based Medicine all consultations and treatments are carried out by our experienced Nurse Prescriber Clare McLoughlin RGN INP

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 clinician 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 a 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 Clare McLoughlin on 01628 303020 for advice. If necessary an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All injectable 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
• Redness at injection sites
• Swelling 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.

A very fine needle is used and generally this treatment is not painful and can be well tolerated with no anaesthetic. Ice is used to numb the skin as well as reducing the risk of a bruise.

AFTERCARE ADVISE FOLLOWING BOTOX INJECTIONS

• Following treatment do not lie down, take strenuous exercise or massage the treated area for 4 hours following treatment.
• You can help activate Botulinum Toxin by exercising the muscles that have been treated,
  e. frown, smile, and look surprised 10 times in the first hour.
• Avoid any exposure to saunas, hot tub or tanning for 48 hours after treatment.
• You may experience tenderness, swelling or bruising around the site of treatment. This will usually settle within a day or two. Some patients can experience a headache following treatment which may be relieved with drinking plenty of water, you may also take paracetamol.
• Bruising can be avoided or minimised by avoiding substances that thin the blood for 24 hours pre & post treatment these include: Alcohol, Aspirin, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs such as Nurofen/Ibuprofen, Vitamins C & E, Gingko Biloba, Ginger, Garlic and the prescription drug Warfarin.
  However prescription medications must not be stopped without discussing the risks with your GP.
• The results are not permanent and the duration will differ from patient to patient.
• The treatment normally takes 3-4 days to start to take effect, the maximum effect is generally observed at 2-3 weeks.
• When you feel the muscles relaxing (3-4 days) you may gently massage the area with your regular moisturiser twice a day.
• Side effects if they occur, are usually temporary and mild to moderate.
  The most common side effects occur around the injection site: Pain, Tenderness, Itching, Swelling, and Bruising at the injection site. Common side effects (affects 1-10 users in 100) headaches, muscle activity disorders, a feeling of heaviness in the upper face.

Adverse reactions usually occur within a few days of treatment. They are expected to be temporary in nature and usually resolve spontaneously within weeks. If you are concerned about any symptoms please contact Appearance Based Medicine as soon as possible. 

Results tend to last 3-4 months Movement will begin recovering from 8 weeks. We do not recommend frequent treatments at intervals of less than 3 months.