What is Botox?

Botox is a cosmetic enhancement procedure performed in clinics and surgeries all over the UK, designed to get rid of facial lines and wrinkles, to make the patient appear fresher and younger. It’s a very popular procedure among men and women alike, as both genders try to maintain a youthful appearance in today’s image conscious society. Botox can also be used to help with muscle disorders and facial twitches, as it essentially paralyses the muscle beneath the skin, to block the distorted signals from affecting its movement. The toxin is helpful with overactive sweat glands too, but it is mainly advertised as an anti-aging treatment that is administered via a series of injections to the affected areas.

Botox is short for Botulinum Toxin, which is dangerous in large quantities; fortunately Botox injections only require a miniscule amount that doesn’t represent a significant danger to the health of the patient. The toxin works by blocking the nerve signals and pulling the skin taut over the top of the facial muscles, thereby eliminating lines and wrinkles. Reputable surgeons should be sure not to over-administer the drug, as it can start to look unnatural or frozen if injected in unsuitable amounts.

How is Botox administered?

Botox is injected into the patients face using very tiny needles, which can be a worry to people who are afraid of injections. The procedure is normally fairly painless, when done correctly, but there are millions of nerve endings that sit on the outer layer of our skin, which means that if the treatment is not performed correctly, it can be somewhat painful. If you are worried about discomfort, or you don’t like needles, you could ask for a numbing gel or cream to be applied to your face beforehand, this prevents signals from travelling from the nerve endings to the central nervous system, but doesn’t knock you out. Most clinics will be happy to discuss pain relief with you before your treatment begins, and it’s highly likely that if you return for repeat sessions, you will get used to the sensation and no longer need any anaesthetic. In most cases, it is the area around the lips that proves to be the most painful, simply because the lips have a thinner layer of skin covering them, so the sensitive nerves are not as well protected.

In order to find out which areas need to be treated, the surgeon will ask you to form certain facial expressions that are known to commonly cause wrinkles to develop, such as a deep frown or a big smile; this helps them identify where the Botox needs to be injected. In order to get the needles in exactly the right place, they will often use a fibre-tip pen to leave a small mark on the skin, where treatment is required. You need to be seated upright when the injecting process begins, otherwise there is a chance that the toxin could spread to unwanted areas due to gravity, and also because the overall effect should be evident as the solution is administered. It normally only takes a few minutes to see lines disappear, but the finished result will take several hours to completely develop.

Is Botox dangerous?

When administered correctly and appropriately, Botox is a very safe treatment, which can leave you looking younger and fresher in a matter of minutes. However, there are some possible side effects that you should be aware of; minor bruising and swelling, facial tenderness, droopy eyelids, and slight bleeding from the injection sites. None of these problems are life-threatening and they should disappear after a day or so, but it’s good to know beforehand that these things do happen occasionally, furthermore, your dentist should speak to you about possible allergic reaction to the Botox solution; in some cases the toxin has caused allergic reactions that have resulted in hospitalisation. If you have ever had a reaction to anything in the past, you need to make this known to your surgeon at your initial consultation; otherwise you are putting your own health and their career at risk. Although Botox can cause a bad reaction in a small percentage of patients, you should know that it is very unlikely and rarely fatal. If you notice any signs that seem to be getting out of hand and are affecting your overall health, such as dizziness or flu-like symptoms, you should get to a hospital and seek treatment immediately.

The best thing you can do to get good treatment is to make sure you are in safe hands; book with a cosmetic clinic rather than a beauty salon – which is not to say that there aren’t qualified, skilled beauty therapists who can provide this treatment, it’s just a better idea to be in surgical surroundings, in case complications arise. Also, don’t be tempted by vouchers or money-off incentives, injecting Botox requires training and a certain amount of artistry, as well as medical experience in the area; it’s not something you should make a decision about based on cost alone. You would be surprised how many people are willing to go to the nearest provider for treatment, regardless of whether they are certified or qualified to offer Botox; the service is not regulated in the same way as other cosmetic enhancements, so in theory anyone could set themselves up as a surgeon and start injecting people. To find a decent clinic that can offer safe treatment for a reasonable price, ask around your family and friends, or just check on the internet for testimonials relating to local providers – the web is a great tool for finding out which surgeries are reliable and which should be avoided. It’s also a good idea to have a look around prospective places before you decide on one, this can give you an idea of the way they work and what sort of health and safety precautions have been put in place. For top-quality customer service in safe, comfortable surroundings, book with the Pearl Dental Clinic; this London surgery hires only the best dental technicians to provide you with a wide ranges of treatments.