BTX injections are now the UK's number 1 treatments for facial lines and wrinkles as it really does lessen the tell tale signs of ageing without the need for invasive surgery.
The product I use is a licensed prescription medicine designed to freeze offending frown muscles, open the eyes and lift the forehead. I am not allowed to advertise specific treatments that use prescription medicines (although most companies do), so I'll refer to it as BTX.
FAQ's
BTX is a purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacterium. Used safely and effectivley for many years by opthamologists to treat eyelid and eye muscle spasm, BTX is increasingly used to reverse the signs of visible ageing. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles. By reducing or stopping the relevant muscles from contracting, the overlying skin does not keep creasing therefore the furrows and wrinkles do not appear.
BTX is commonly used around the eyes for crows feet, between the eyebrows (glabella) for frown lines and across the forhead for worry lines.
The effects can last between three and six months after which you may want another treatment. After several treatments, the effects tend to last longer.
BTX should not be used in the following cirumstances: if there is infection at the proposed injection site(s); in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredients in the formulation; those with neurological disorders such as ALS, Myasthenia Gravis or Lambert-Eaton Syndrome; anyone who is pregnant or breast feeding; anyone taking aminoglycoside antibiotics.
All prospective patients attend a free, no-obligation consultation lasting around 30 minutes. At this time, if you wish to go ahead with treatment straight away, you will speak to a doctor who will ask you a few questions. The actual injections can take around 15-30 minutes.
The injection sites are marked out before the area is cooled with an ice pack to help reduce any bruising and to help numb the area. Very tiny needles are used so there is minimum discomfort.
The side effects of BTX are rare and always temporary becasue the effects wear off. The most significant complication is minor temporary drooping of one or both eyelids, although this only happens in less than one in one hundred injections. This usually corrects itself after two/three weeks and is often treated with special eyedrops that may temporary reduce the eyelid droop.
Occasionally, bruising may occur although this is easily concealed with make up. Other potential but again, temporary side effects include nausea, localised pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness and/or bleeding.
Although the effects and results can be visible after three days, BTX will not dramatically change your facial appearance or make you look totally expressionless. The muscle activity that casues the forhead frwon lines is simply reduced so you should be able to frown or look suprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.
Less is more when it comes to the admisistration of BTX. All patients are asked to attend a follow up after two weeks. At this time a complimentary top-up can be performed if needed.