Botox

If you’re one of the many women, (and increasingly men!) who are concerned about the safety of Botox, or unsure as to how it could enhance your appearance on its own, or in combination with a dermal filler

Then You Must Read On…

My name is Andrew Greenwood and I’ve been a practising General Dental Practitioner for 32 years. I’m also qualified to provide Botox injections and Dermal Fillers having been trained by both Allergan (Botox & Juvederm) and Sanofi-Avensis (Sculptra) during my time working within two national cosmetic surgery groups. During this time I’ve heard more than a few scary stories about the treatment some people have experienced at the hands of inexperienced or unqualified practitioners.

I’ve put together this information to help you make sure you know everything you need to know about your Botox and Dermal Filler treatment before you make any of the mistakes that other people have made.

Don’t wait! Read on to discover the truth…

Non surgical facelifts using Botox & Dermal Fillers

You know when you’re getting yourself ready in the morning and you look into the mirror? Do you see all those lines and wrinkles looking back at you and wonder…
Where on earth did they come from?
In your mind’s eye you still feel and look 25 years old but reality often tells us a very different story. So what can we do to realistically turn the clock back a bit for you?

Facial Rejuvenation

Your Face
Our wide range of treatments is designed to reduce or eliminate lines and wrinkles and improve the texture and feel of your skin.

… and your body!
Other parts of the body such as your hands, neck and decolletage can benefit from rejuvenation treatments too. And… if you suffer from excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) your embarrassing problem can be eliminated by treating the area with Botulinum Toxin

With Botox & Dermal Filler treatments you can:

• Reduce or eliminate your frown lines, wrinkles & crow’s-feet
• Fill out your “smoker’s lines” around the upper lip
• Enhance your lips
• Rid yourself of “Bunny Lines” across the bridge of your nose
• Reduce your cheek jowls
• Improve your decolletage “crepey” skin on the upper chest
• Improve the appearance of your neck
• Have cheek enhancements to increase facial volume
• Eliminate excessive sweating under the arms
• Make yourself look & feel more attractive
• Improve your self confidence
• Boost your feel-good factor

   

Botulinum Toxin “Botox” for facial rejuvenation

What can Botulinum Toxin be used for?
Softening facial lines
• The forehead area (horizontal forehead lines)
• Eye area (crows feet)
• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Neck and Decolletage areas
• Under the eyes
• Chin

Boulinum Toxin has also proved to be very successful at treating excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis), which can be a problem for some people.

Botox treatment is probably the most popular cosmetic medical treatment for facial lines and wrinkles in the UK and can be used successfully in combination with other rejuvenation treatments.

Treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes persistent lines between your eyebrows, on your forehead and on your outer eye area.

A treatment session consists of a few tiny needle pricks which relax the muscles that caused those lines to form in the first place.

Botulinum Toxin A has several different brand names but they are all the same product. The most well known of these is Botox but other brands are Dysport ,Vistabel,Xeomid and more recently Azzalure.

Botox treatments are simple and minimally invasive. No recovery time is needed. In fact, most people are able to return to work immediately after the treatment. The muscle-relaxing benefits of the procedure can last up to an average of 4 months. The really magical thing about Botox is that the more you use it (over time!!) the better it gets, because Botox has a preventive effect. By weakening the muscles that cause the lines, they relax more, the lines reduce more so the skin recovers and smoothes out to give you a more youthful look.

Your Botox Questions Answered

What is Botox?

It is probably best to describe what Botox is not! Botox is not botulism. Botulism food poisoning is caused by massive amounts of botulinum bacteria creating massive amounts of toxin. Botox, or Botulinum Toxin A to give it its full name, has been used in very dilute amounts for many years in ophthalmology, neurology and for cosmetic cases worldwide. In our treatments we use a miniscule amount of the chemical secreted by the botulism bacteria. There is nothing alive in the Botox injection.

Is it safe?

Perfectly. It is impossible to get poisoning from Botox injections as we use such diluted preparations.

How does it work?

Injections are given into the affected areas which temporarily put the over active muscles to sleep for about 4 months. This freezing of the muscle is always temporary and can never be permanent. So the muscle can be likened to an animal hibernating, the muscle temporarily hibernates.

Will it leave my face numb?

No. There is no change in your skin sensation.

Do the injections hurt?

No. The needles are very fine and the amount injected each time is very small. Some people say that it feels like a small bug bite so local anaesthesia or sedation is not required.

Which wrinkles can be treated?

The most commonly treated areas are the forehead, between the eyes (frown lines) and the crow’s-feet around the eyes. However, other areas can also be treated successfully such as the lower eyelid, décolletage, neck, lips, chin and bunny lines on the nose.

Will I be able to move my face afterwards?

Certainly! Just not as much. Extreme movement of the muscles that caused the wrinkles will have been prevented but the other normal facial muscles will not have been affected.

When will I see the difference?

Usually in 3-5 days but individuals vary. The greatest effect, however, is seen after 2 weeks or so.

How will I look after treatment?

You will notice a slight redness after treatment around the injection sites. This will settle after a few hours. You can apply an ice pack to help reduce redness and make up can be used to cover the redness.
Are there any side effects?

It is a very safe treatment. However, side effects can occur but are very rare. They can include slight bruising at the injection sites, slight headache and sometimes a slight drooping of the eyelid, which would only last a week or so. Because the effects of Botox are completely reversible any side effects are temporary and short lasting.

Is there anything I should avoid after treatment?

During the first 4 hours after treatment, we advise you to avoid vigorous exercise and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Otherwise you can carry on as normal.
You should also avoid rubbing the treated area during this time.
How long will it last?

Again, individuals vary. In most cases you can expect excellent results for three months with a gradually diminishing effect over the following 3 months. Regular treatment ‘trains’ the muscles not to move as much so that, over time, less treatment is needed to keep the facial muscles relaxed.

How often will I need treatment?

On average most people like to come back about every 4 months or so when they first start their injections. People who have large facial muscles (like men) or who have very ‘expressive’ faces may require more frequent treatment. People who have regular top ups gradually require less and less treatment as their muscles are retrained.
What if I really don’t like the result?

That would be very unusual, but if that was so then remember that the effects are completely reversible and with a bit of patience you can have all your old wrinkles back.

Can anybody be treated with Botox?

Almost, but not if you are pregnant or suffer from a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s Disease.

…and the Benefits?

• You’ll have a softer, more relaxed appearance

• You’ll have a serene countenance enhancing your natural appearance

• Your “wrinkle” muscles will be gradually retrained leaving you with smoother, more youthful looking skin

• You’ll enjoy increased self confidence

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can help to restore your skin to its former youthful, fuller appearance.

As your skin ages, over time it loses some of its collagen and fat. These are the materials that prevent your skin from sagging. This means your skin becomes wrinkled.

The filler is injected into the areas of skin where it needs to be plumped up again and made to look firmer. The treatment can have an enormously positive effect on your appearance.

Fillers come in different thicknesses. In general, the thicker the filler product, the deeper it will be injected into the dermal layer of the skin. This helps to plump out fine to deep lines and wrinkles.

There are various kinds of safe, natural and man-made or synthetic materials used as dermal fillers that have been specially developed over the years for injection into the skin.

Which wrinkles can be treated?

Almost any, but the most commonly treated areas are the lines around the nose and lips and the smile lines.

Are there different types of fillers?

There are many different brand names of dermal fillers. However, in the UK the most widely used products are based on hyaluronic acid. At greenwood- dental we most commonly use Juvedern ultra. The best option for your particular treatment will be discussed with you at your consultation.

How long does the treatment take?

The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

How long does the treatment last?

Facial enhancements usually last for about 6-9 months and Lip enhancements for 6-12 months

How soon will I see the effects?

Instantly.

Are there any side effects?

Nothing more than a little bit of redness or mild bruising from the injections which would only last a day or two at worst.
Are the injections painful?

Some people find them uncomfortable although there is now an anaesthetic Within Juvederm ultra, and we can use local anaesthetic cream, or dental injections to make the procedure as pain free and comfortable as possible.

What if I do not have any top ups or I don’t like the effect?

Because Dermal Fillers are gradually absorbed into the body, the correction of the wrinkles will fade away in time, so you can have all your wrinkles back looking as they did before treatment.
Can Dermal Fillers be used with Botox?

Yes, often to great effect.

Can I have a full smile makeover?

Absolutely! We can provide state of the art crowns, bridges, veneers, implants and tooth whitening at our clinic as well as Botox & Dermal Filler treatments.

Can anybody be treated with Dermal Fillers?

Almost, but not if you are pregnant or suffer from a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s Disease.

Sometimes there may be just too many wrinkles

…a traditional facelift may be needed first!!