Will Botox remove all lines and wrinkles? 

Deeper lines and lines which have been present for many years may not be completely removed. These lines may be treated using dermal fillers. However, you should think about the look you want to achieve before removing all lines Will my facial expressions continue to look natural? Although the results are visible, a treatment with Botox will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you ‘had work done’. The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows. Being 100% wrinkle free does not always look natural. The idea is to enhance your natural looks, not alter them.

What are the alternatives to Botox?

Dermal fillers may help eliminate deeper expression lines.  Is Botox safe? Botox is recognised as one of the safest cosmetic treatments. Side effects are rarely serious and always temporary, which is why it is now the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world.  Botox injections have been used safely and effectively for over 20 years to treat many eye and neurological conditions. These include spasticity and cerebral palsy in children and medical indications in high dosages, all with no long-term side effects recorded. Botox has been used for cosmetic purposes successfully for many years. It is licensed in 13 countries for cosmetic use and has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, which is extremely difficult to achieve. 

What are the side effects?

Some of the possible side effects include bruising at injection area, needle pin prick marks, temporary bumpiness immediately after injections, headaches, temporary eyelid droop, nausea, and cold and flu-like symptoms.  Bruising. To avoid bruising do not take aspirin, anti-inflammatory tablets, or vitamin E for 48 hours before treatment. Rarely a transient numbness may develop in the treated area. If you are pregnant or breast feeding the treatment is not recommended. 

Is there any reason I should not have treatment?

During your consultation, a full medical history will be taken to assess any risks that would preclude treatment. We recommend you follow the advice on the post treatment advice leaflet you will be given following treatment,  Who should not have Botox treatment? Botox® is extremely safe and most people will be able to have treatment. Some of the most common reasons for not being suitable of treatment are listed below but The Cove Aesthetics will always go through a full consultation explaining the treatment in detail and a medical consent form is completed prior to treatment. Botox attaches itself to nerve endings. It acts by disrupting the synaptic pathway between your nerves and facial muscles. Simply put, Botox paralyzes the nerves that allow your facial muscles to move.  When we feel that Botox “wears off,” after a few months, the medication never really goes away. It is the muscle paralysis effect that wears off. The nerve endings that were paralysed are replaced by new endings which grow and can stimulate the muscles to move and frown again.     

When to avoid Botox injections

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are currently trying for a baby, it would be wise to delay cosmetic treatment.

• Diseases that affect muscle activity

• Bleeding disorders or are taking drugs that affect bleeding time

• Some allergies requiring medication.   

• Can Botox build up in the body? 

When injected, the product is attracted to the nerve endings and is then metabolised and leaves the body completely within 21 days of administration. It is the result and effect of the treatment that lasts 3 to 6 months on average. Therefore, it is not possible to have a build-up of the product.     

Will my eyes or eyebrows droop?

The chance of this happening to a client is about 1 in 2,000. There is evidence to suggest that this may be because of the client massaging or pushes the area around within the first four days after treatment. If the eye does droop it will last no longer than 3 weeks and will usually correct itself.                                                 

Will it freeze or paralyse my face? 

The treatment will have the effect of relaxing the treated muscle allowing the lines to re-hydrate and smooth away. You will still be able to make facial expressions. However, when your face it at rest the line will be greatly improved if not removed. The area feels the same for many clients although a small percentage do report a very slight restricted feeling in the area on the 2nd to 4th day after treatment.   

Can I travel by air shortly after undergoing treatment?

Yes, you can fly immediately after having treatment.   

Can creams that contain Botox like substances be as effective as Botox?

There has been an explosion of inaccurate claims suggesting that creams produce results as good as Botox®. Botox® needs to be delivered by injection into the muscles that are producing lines. Creams quite simply cannot do this!                          

Can men have Botox treatment?

Yes, Botox works equally well for men and women. However, men may require a slightly higher dose due to stronger muscle contractions.     

Are there some types of wrinkles Botox cannot help? 

Sagging, drooping skin cannot be corrected using Botox. Damage caused by the sun, such as leathery, wrinkled skin is also not appropriate for treatment. 

TIPS TO HELP BOTOX LAST LONGER     

Botox and Dermal fillers are a great way to slow down and help reverse the signs of aging. However, their effects do wear off as these products are naturally degraded by the body. Here are some tips to help make Botox last longer. Patients are always delighted with the longevity they get from anti -aging treatments.  We would see patients every 3-6 months for Botox and every 6- 12 months for Fillers. 

Once you start having Botox injections, you should typically need to maintain your results by having your treatments every three to six months. (possibly sooner for your first-time treatment).  Many patients enjoy up to six months of wrinkle free skin whilst others only need to visit the clinic every 12 months to maintain their results. So, the BIG question is: What can make Botox last longer?, Is it even possible? ” You cannot make Botox last longer, but you can  help to extend the length of it’s effect”. Firstly, let us explain the science part of how Botox works: 

There are two things you must understand about how Botox does what it does…        

Botox prevents muscle contractions. This means it only softens and prevents Dynamic Wrinkles. These are the wrinkles that come with facial expressions such as smiling and laughing. Dermal Fillers are designed to treat and fill the lines on your skin. Therefore, many patients choose to combine their regular Botox injections with Fillers. 

Botox results usually become visible 4-10 days after your injections and reach a maximum after 14 days. Your Botox will gradually lose effectiveness over three to six months.

To help you get the maximum benefit from your treatments, follow these tips:         

• Use a certified aesthetic practitioner. Botox injections require the correct + appropriate dosage and precise injection sites for maximum effectiveness.

• For the first 24 hours, avoid strenuous exercise and excessive heat. Saunas, Hot Yoga, Strenuous exercising (gentle exercise is fine) or intense facial massages can potentially cause the Botox to migrate to areas of your face it should not go. This can result in temporary facial paralysis, eyelid drooping, or other undesirable effects. It may help to sleep on your back in a slightly elevated position for the first night post-injection.  Avoid laying down for 4 hours post treatment.

• Avoid the Sun and Sunbeds.  Sun damage causes premature wrinkles. Botox is ineffective against these skin damaged wrinkles because they do not involve the underlying muscles. Always wear SPF on your face, neck, and hands every day. Maintain your results for longer by using a high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid the outdoors during peak UV hours.  Skin Care – The benefits of Botox and Fillers will last longer if you take care of your skin. Patients who moisturise AM and PM and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water will enhance the water-absorption effect of hyaluronic-based fillers. This helps the treated areas to remain plump and wrinkle-free.​   

• Eating Right – your diet affects both the appearance and health of your skin. Try to avoid eating processed and packaged foods and limit the amount of sugar in your diet. Maintain a steady healthy weight. Extreme weight loss especially on your face will reduce the effectiveness and longevity of your anti- aging injections.

• Less Stress – Stress negatively affects your body in many ways, accelerates the aging process and rapidly enhances common signs of aging. To extend the benefits of your injections try to reduce unnecessary stress-inducers from your life while incorporating stress relief techniques like meditation or yoga into your day.

• Zinc Supplements – Some studies have shown that the effects of Botox are linked to Zinc levels within the body. Many individuals tend to have a slight zinc deficiency. Regularly taking a zinc supplement after your Botox treatment might help to prolong the anti-aging effects.

• Exercise Effects – Unfortunately, a few patients who are avid runners and work-out-aholics find that their Botox and Fillers results do not last as long. Do not stop being active as there is no “fix” for this. Running and exercise makes you happy and healthy. Simply try not to scrunch up your face when working out. Wear a baseball cap and sunglasses while outside to avoid squinting in the bright sun.

• Stop Smoking- smoking ages your skin and shortens your life.

• Maintenance Treatments – The best way to extend the life of your Botox results is to undergo a maintenance treatment program with your practitioner. Plan your appointments before your results wear off. Regular Botox treatments are especially useful as they will train targeted muscles to respond to the neurotoxin for longer periods of time. The Glabellar Frown Lines between your eyebrows are a great example.  Be Patient and Trust your practitioner. Do not overdo it. Too many treatments too quickly can make your muscles resist Botox or react in other negative ways.