Botox Treatments / Hyperhidrosis
Lisa is an advanced trained aesthetic practitioner who qualified under leading consultant plastic surgeon Adrian Richards (FRCS Plast) who provides training accredited by the Royal College of Physicians, allowing Lisa to provide the best possible results with the highest standards of care, in private spacious clinical surroundings.
What is Botullnum toxin?
Botullnum toxin is a chemical produced by the botulinum bacterial. Botox is a protein derivative of the toxin, which when injected into a muscle, causes it to become weakened or inactive.
By using facial muscles repeatedly throughout a lifetime, the skin is creased in areas of greatest use. The aging process causes the slowdown of collagen and elastin production in the skin so that as we get older, these areas of over-use become damaged and the lines become permanent.
By reducing the movement of muscles in these areas, the skin stops being creased and is allowed to recover, causing the lines to soften or even fade away. In the areas treated, the muscles are temporarily inactivated, (always reversible), during which time the patient can break the subconscious habit of overusing these muscles.
How long has Botox been in use?
As long ago as 1978 Botox was used as a treatment for patients with eye squints by weakening the overactive eye muscle.
Since then it has been used in a variety of therapeutic areas such as spasmodic neck, writer's cramp, tics, multiple sclerosis, facial spasm, Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy, to name but a few.
In more recent times the use of Botox for somatic surgery has become more widespread.
What happens during treatment?
The procedure takes about 5-10 minutes.
The practitioner will ask you to use certain muscles of the face to observe how they work. An extremely fine short needle is used to inject the Botox into the appropriate area. This may cause some slight but brief discomfort. The area may have some slight redness and swelling which normally resolves in an hour or two.
After treatment you should not massage the injected area and you should not lie down for four hours after treatment.
The treatment normally starts to take effect after 4 to 14 days but this may vary slightly with individuals.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are rare. Most people find the injection causes only mild discomfort but will always resolve. Immediately after the injection there may be mild swelling but this usually subsides in 48 hours.
Occasionally a temporary drooping of the eyelid may occur. This may last a few weeks but will always resolve. Special eye drops can be prescribed during this time to help lift the lid back into the normal position.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis (axillary) is excessive sweating which can affect the armpits / hands / feet / face. Injections of botulanium toxin (type A) has been shown to be a very effective treatment for axxillary (armpit) hyperhidrosis. Effects start within a week and can last several months.