Caer Aesthetics

The use of botox injections and dermal fillers is on the increase. Many people, who now use these treatments in their routine grooming / maintenance regime, were initially reticent to try them.

The reason lies in being able to see the difference they can make.

The purpose of wrinkle relaxing injections is not to look younger per se, but to look more refreshed and less stressed, angry and tired. No amount of detox, dieting or exercise will remove frown lines ingrained from years of concentrating.

The purpose of facial rejuvenation is to reflect what is felt inside and, with the resultant positive feedback, the improvement in appearance reinforces that feeling. You will feel better about the way you look and the effect of this on your day-to-day life can be enormous.

Botox®or botox treatment?

Botox® is the trade name given to the purified protein Botulinum Toxin type A. It is made synthetically from a non-animal source and was originally used to treat neurological disorders. The cosmetic effects were, like many advances in medicine, discovered quite by chance. Patients who had been treated for blepharospasm (an involuntary spasm of the muscle surrounding the eye) noticed how much less wrinkled and more awake they appeared after Botox® treatment for their disorder.

Consequently, Botox® has now become licensed to treat patients for cosmetic procedures, principally the reduction in facial lines, especially frown lines, “crow’s feet” and forehead lines. Botulinum toxin can also be used to treat excessive sweating in the armpits, forehead or hands as it also blocks the nerves that supply sweat glands. There are a number of botulinum toxin products on the market and CAER Aesthetics is able to prescribe botox treatments using the different approved commercial brands.

How do botox treatments work?

As we get older, the amount of collagen in our skin decreases and, with repeated action of underlying muscles, wrinkles form. Botox injections work by temporarily stopping transmission of the nerve impulses to these muscles by blocking the release of the chemical neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This causes the injected muscle to relax which, in turn, stops the formation of new wrinkles, reduces current wrinkles and smoothes out older lines in the overlying skin.

The effect is temporary as, within a few months, the nerve recovers.

When administered by a skilled professional the botox is injected into a specific muscle or muscle group so there is very little risk of spread. The surrounding muscles function as normal allowing normal facial expression, just with fewer wrinkles.

When botox is administered into the muscle around the eyes, for example, those muscles cannot “scrunch up” as easily so the wrinkles in that area (crow’s feet) become much less obvious.

With regard to excessive sweating, botox treatment also blocks transmission of nerves that supply sweat glands. When these are targeted, sweating greatly diminishes and the effect can last up to a year.

Botox injections for Headaches or Migraines

Recently, botox injections have been used successfully in the treatment of migraines and also tension headaches. By relaxing the muscles commonly associated with these (namely the frontalis muscle in the forehead and trapezius muscle at the back of the neck) symptoms have been shown to improve.

Other uses of botox treatment: Hyperhydrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Botox treatment also blocks transmission of nerves that supply sweat glands. When these are targeted, sweating greatly diminishes and the effect can last up to a year. See Botox treatment of Hyperhydrosis.

Are wrinkle relaxing injections safe?

It is a natural response to assume there must be some risk with injecting a product derived from a toxin. In fact, botox treatment is given in such minute amounts that the risk is negligible. It has been used world-wide for over 20 years for aesthetic enhancement and, in the appropriate hands, has an excellent safety profile.

What are the side effects of botox treatment?

The most common side effect is slight bruising at the injection site. This can be more obvious if the patient is taking aspirin or other anticoagulant (“blood thinning”) medications. The effect is temporary, however, and the bruises fade within a week.
Many people describe a “numb” feeling over the treated area even though the sensory nerves are actually unaffected. This sensation disappears after a week or two.

Sometimes, there can be slight spread to other muscle groups which can result in temporary ptosis (eyelid droop). The risk of this is diminished with practitioner expertise.

Headache may occur after treatment to the glabellar (frown) lines but this, too, passes.

Puffiness of the eyelids a day or two after treatment has been reported occasionally but this is temporary.

Lastly, infrequently, some patients may experience slight pain at the injection site which can last a week or two. This too resolves with time.

What will I look like when it wears off?

Gradually, the treated muscle recovers over a number of months and you will then look as you did before treatment.

How is the procedure carried out?

Firstly, your Doctor will discuss the areas you are concerned about and will explain the likely effect of botox treatment. At any stage you are encouraged to ask questions. You will then be given a fact sheet (about botox treatment) to read and a medical consent form to sign.

The botox treatment is given with you sitting back or lying down. The areas to be treated are first cleaned with a cleanser and specific points marked with white eye pencil. The botox is then injected into the target muscles. The needle used for the treatment is extremely fine and minor discomfort is usually all that is felt. Some people describe a mild stinging sensation which passes quickly.

All in all, the consultation will take about 30 minutes. After, you will be given an advice sheet to take home, and a follow up appointment, if you wish. If, after 2 weeks you are not entirely satisfied with the effect and need a “top up” dose of botox treatment, this is free of charge.

How long does botox treatment last?

The effects can be seen sometimes as early as two hours after treatment. The usual range of onset is from 2 to 10 days. The effects can last up to 6 months.

There is no limit to the number of times you can have botox treatment.

Botox treatment is not just for Women

Increasingly, men are becoming more aware of their appearance. Time and money is invested in the gym, on grooming and clothes. A botox treatment can complement this effort by helping to achieve a less stressed look. Botox facial treatment can also engender a more “awake” look - looking tired is a common reason voiced by men concerned about their appearance. They want to look as good as they feel and facial rejuvenation is their choice.