BOTOX® is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large amounts, this toxin can cause a form of muscle paralysis known as botulism, which is usually associated with food poisoning. It was through one of the most serious complications of botulism - that being paralysis, where scientists discovered a way of using to human advantage. Small, diluted (weakened) amounts can be directly injected into specific muscles, causing controlled relaxation of the muscles. Since the late 1980s cosmetic/aesthetic clinicians have been using BOTOX® to successfully treat wrinkles and facial creases. BOTOX® is approved for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis (increased sweating of the armpits), treatment of forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines (lines in the nose), chin (for dimpling), skin bands on the neck, and around the mouth (for smoker’s lines and down-turned corners of the mouth). However its important to note here that wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity often will not respond to BOTOX®. It is important to re-emphasize that BOTOX® is NOT a facial filler (that is, it does not fill existing wrinkles) – it merely relaxes the muscles that are creating those wrinkles.
How is the treatment performed? BOTOX® is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles, with only minor discomfort. The procedure takes only a few minutes and no anesthesia is required. It generally takes 3 to 7 days, but sometimes even as long as 2 weeks, to take full effect. It is best to avoid alcohol at least one week before treatment. It's highly recommended that Aspirin and Anti-inflammatory medications be stopped 2 weeks before treatment (if given permission by a GP) in order to reduce the risk of bruising.
The most common side effects of BOTOX® injections are temporary bruising and slight pain with injection. Headaches, which go away in 24 to 48 hours, can occur, but this is rare.
You should not rub the treated area for 12 hours after injection, or lie down for three to four hours after injection. As with all of Immaculate Aesthetic' treatments full after-care advise will be given at the end your treatment, including a 48 hour follow-up to see how things are and how you are doing.