Kent Botox Doctor
The effects of ageing are inevitable for us all, and many of us seek a way to turn back the clock and erase those annoying lines and wrinkles that give our age away. For many of us, creams and lotions are no longer satisfactory, and Dr Sophie Shotter at Illuminate Skin Clinic in Kent understands that her patients are seeking more effective treatments for ageing skin. Botulinum toxin (or more commonly known as Botox) is an extremely effective and accessible treatment which is now one of the most common non-surgical procedures, undergone by thousands of people in the UK to combat the signs of ageing.
Botulinum toxin is a purified protein formed by bacteria in a laboratory, and has been used for decades to treat many muscular conditions such as spasms in adults and children, hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) and bladder problems. Its use for treating dynamic lines and wrinkles is now the most recognised and well-known treatment using the toxin. The substance is injected and gently relaxes the muscles responsible for movement and this in turn gives a smoother and more youthful appearance to those areas. It is very important that the practitioner performing the treatment has extensive medical training and has in depth knowledge of the anatomy of the face, so that each injection site is chosen carefully and precisely.
The most commonly treated areas of the face are forehead lines, glabellar lines (the vertical lines in between your eyebrows at the top of the nose), crow’s feet, bunny lines (sides of the nose), fine lines around the mouth and the décolletage. Botox will not treat lines caused by sun damage and deeper static lines (the more pronounced lines and furrows you can see on your face when it is at rest) may need to be treated with dermal fillers to produce effective results. Dr Sophie will be happy to discuss your needs in a consultation prior to any treatment being performed.
Treatment does not take very long at all. Around 15 minutes, depending on the area/s to be treated. There is no need for any topical or injectable anaesthetic as the injections are very small and superficial. Post treatment, you will be able to return to your daily activities, but Dr Sophie will advise on no stressful activity (such as going to the gym) for 24 hours. You will also need to be careful not to rub the skin around the treated area or bend forward as this can cause the product to migrate to unwanted areas.
The effects of Botox treatment may be seen after 24 hours, but it can take a week to two weeks to see the complete results. You are always invited to return to see Dr Sophie for a top up treatment if this is necessary. The duration of the effects of treatment varies from patient to patient. However, you can expect the effects to last around 3 to 5 months. You can then return to the clinic to have further treatment.
There can be some side effects when undergoing Botox but these are very mild. The most common is tenderness or slight bruising at the injection site. This usually resolves within the first 24-48 hours. Some people develop a mild headache which can be treated with Paracetamol if required. If Botox does migrate to unwanted sites, such as the eyelids, it can cause drooping. This is incredibly rare and can be treated with special eye drops to resolve it. In extremely rare cases, patients can experience nausea, dry mouth, difficulties in swallowing and eye problems. Dr Sophie will explain this in detail upon consultation so that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision to move forward with this treatment.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
