Anti-Ageing – Why Botox?
Botulinum toxin (also known as ‘Botox’) is a natural purified protein which is used to temporarily relax facial muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines. The effects are transient lasting from 3-6 month depending on the individual. Botox is the original and most tested product on the market and has been extensively studied for the past few decades and has been found to be the safest product on the market and is certified in the medical and cosmetic fields of medicine. It was first approved for the treatment of strabismus and spasticity disorders and is now mainly used for anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle injections but can also be used to treat excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis).
The Anti-Ageing and Aesthetic Use of Botox
The aesthetic use of Botox lies in its ability to weaken or paralyse facial muscles and therefore alleviate the appearance of wrinkles to the overlying skin. The most commonly treated areas are the scrunch lines and the frown lines of the forehead, dimpling of the chin and crow’s feet at the eyes. The muscle weakness can last for 3-4 months but varies between patients. Results can be seen within 3-4 days.
The toxin is injected into the targeted area and aim to cause weakness not paralysis, to keep facial expressions as close to natural as possible. The treatment of dynamic wrinkles are more obvious compared to the injections to fine wrinkles at rest.
The Different Brands of Toxin
Botulinum toxin is available under four ‘brand’ product formulations: Botox, Vistabel, Azzalure, and Bocouture. In The Aevum Clinic Dr Aoibhe O’Driscoll uses Vistabel.
Who Should Use Botox?
Botox is used for anti-ageing primarily to weaken muscles to smoothen out fine lines and wrinkles giving the skin a fresher and youthful appearance (anti-ageing). It is injected into targeted muscle groups such as around the eye to reduce crow’s feet or in between the eyebrows to treat prominent frown lines. The duration of effects varies between each individual but normally lasts between 3-6 months. It is preventative to the formation of long-term wrinkles due to breaking the cycle of habitual skin wrinkling which promotes wrinkle/fine line formation.
Botox Is Not Suitable For A Client Who Is:
- Pregnant or breast feeding
- History of facial weakness or facial surgery.
- On medications which can interfere with the efficacy of Botox.
- History of needle phobia.
- On medication to reduce clotting, hence increase risk of bleeding.
Post Treatment
Botox injections can cause slight bruising and swelling immediately during and after treatment but can be easily masked by make-up. The client can resume normal activities after the treatment.
