Wrinkle treatment FAQ's

How does Botox work?

Wrinkle treatments are performed using tiny injections of Botox. They work by temporarily blocking nerve signals to specific areas of the facial muscles, allowing the muscles to relax. As a result, the skin overlying the muscles also relaxes, allowing wrinkles to smoothen out.

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What should I do before a treatment?

- Patients should not drink alcohol on the day of treatment. Apart from this, patients may come to their treatment as they are and there are no special instructions. Makeup must also be removed from the skin areas to be treated. If you prefer, this can be done immediately before your treatment.

- It is recommended that patients discontinue any NON-ESSENTIAL medications or dietary supplements that can cause thinning of the blood.

However, if you take any prescription medicines, you MUST seek advice from your GP before stopping these. No responsibility can be held for any adverse effects that occur if you stop these

The main medicines that make bruising more likely are listed below:

- Aspirin
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, etc)
- Fish oil supplements
- Vitamin E oils or tablets
- Gingko Biloba, ginseng or any other herbal remedies

Patients who take warfarin cannot be treated unfortunately.

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What can't I do after a treatment?

Patients can expect to resume their normal daily activities immediately after their treatment.

There are, however, a few simple rules that MUST be followed after a Botox treatment to gain the maximum cosmetic effects whist also helping to avoid the few potential side effects:

1) DO NOT massage, rub vigorously or wash the areas injected until the next day after your treatment. This also includes the application of makeup.

2) DO NOT drink alcohol until the following day.

3) DO NOT participate in sports, exercise or vigorous activity until the following day.

4) DO NOT bend over or lie down for at least 4 hours after your treatment.

These rules are designed to prevent Botox spreading to areas of the face that are not desirable to be treated. Failure to follow these SIGNIFICANTLY increases the chance of eye lid/brow drooping. These are both reversible side effects and are almost exclusively caused by patients not following the above rules.

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What are the potential side effects?

Common side effects include:
- Mild discomfort during the procedure and very temporary swelling or bruising
- A mild, temporary tension headache after the treatment. Paracetamol can be taken quite safely if you feel you need it.

Rare side effects:
- In about 1% of people, patients may develop eyebrow or eyelid drooping. This is TEMPORARY and usually resolves in three to four weeks. This side effect is almost ALWAYS caused by patients who do not follow the simple after care instructions described above. It is caused by Botox spreading to other areas of the face that are not intended to be treated. Patients are therefore asked to sign a consent form to say that they will follow the aftercare instructions. You are also given a helpful aftercare card to remind them of these rules, so you don't have to worry about forgetting.

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Who should NOT receive treatments?

There are just a few but important conditions that are considered unsafe for the use of botulinum toxin.

These include:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Patients trying for a baby or who are unsure if they are pregnant will also be refused treatments
- Rare neurological diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis, Eaton – Lambert Syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease or a
- previous stroke affecting the face
- Any bleeding disorder
- Skin allergies affecting the face (or underarms for a Sweatox treatment)

Patients taking the following medicines should also NOT have botulinum toxin treatments:
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics (Gentamycin, Neomycin, Streptomycin, etc)
- Penicillamine (used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis)
- Calcium channel blocker drugs (Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Felodipine, etc)
- A known allergy to human albumin products

You MUST declare the above or any other medical conditions known, as no responsibility can be held for undesired side effects.

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How often should I have treatments?

As a rough guide, wrinkle treatments can be performed every 3-4 months to help maintain a consistent appearance. After one year, these periods may be delayed by a few months each time as your wrinkles become lighter. Every patient is unique, however, and so a specific treatment plan will be designed for your own needs.

Patients are reminded that the treatments form only part of maintaining a youthful and healthy appearance. Skincare regimes including exfoliation, cleansing, moisturising and sunscreens should be used in all men and women, regardless of age or race, on a daily basis. Smoking is by far the most common cause of facial wrinkles, both in the upper and lower face.

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What should I do if I want to have a treatment?

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Patients are strongly encouraged to research the credentials of anyone carrying out Botox treatments. It cannot be stressed more that you must be treated by a doctor who is fully qualified, insured and is formally trained in the treatment offered.

Botox is a medicine and as such needs to be prescribed just as any other medicine, taking into account the patient's medical history first. Please do not compromise on your health simply for a cheaper option. There are known instances of doctors prescribing for nurses and other practitioners who then treat patients off site at a different clinic. This practice is strongly discouraged, as the prescriber should both see and treat the patient.

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