What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Also referred to as onabotulinum toxin A, BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein and neurotoxin complex that, when injected directly into the muscle, will cause relaxation. Produced in a controlled laboratory setting from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking the chemical signal that allows for nerve impulses to be sent to the muscle and cause movement.
Dynamic wrinkles are formed by repetitive creasing in the skin, from the facial expressions that we make on a daily basis. Over time these wrinkles can become large, deep and permanent. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by relaxing these muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, so the skin is given a chance to smooth out naturally.
A common misconception is that BOTOX® Cosmetic will completely inhibit facial expression and movement. The goal of a treatment is to soften facial lines, while still providing patients with a natural appearance and the ability to display emotion.
As one of the most recognized prescription products in the world, BOTOX® Cosmetic is a leading procedures in the cosmetic and aesthetics field
Procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
In practice
The first step is to meet your patient advisor. You’ll be able to talk to them about why you’re considering dermal fillers treatment, which filler product/s may be right for you, the likely costs and finance options, and when you’d like to have the treatment. If you feel ready, we’ll then book you in for your free consultation with one of our professional practitioners or nurses
2. Your treatment consultation
At your free consultation, your professional practitioner or nurse will ask you about the results you want to achieve. They’ll guide you through your treatment options and create a personal anti-ageing treatment plan for you to ensure you achieve the best results. It may be that we’ll recommend an alternative treatment type – like Botox®, chemical facial peels, microdermabrasion or skin tightening – that we think will better suit your needs. They’ll talk you through the various dermal filler products we use here at Transform and which one – or which combination – will achieve the best results for you. We only offer temporary fillers because permanent fillers can cause long-term problems. We use four of the best FDA-approved cosmetic filler ranges available: Juvederm®, Restylane®, Sculptra® and Radiesse®. Juvederm® is a long-lasting smooth gel dermal filler made with hyaluronic acid. It’s the only hyaluronic acid volumising filler that is approved by the FDA to last up to one year with one treatment – though results can actually last as long as 18 months. The Restylane® range of clear dermal fillers smooths wrinkles, fine lines, scars and folds, and can also be used to give you a stronger, more defined chin and enhance your jawline. The treatment can be repeated once or twice a year to maintain your more youthful look. Sculptra® is a range of long-term wrinkle fillers based on poly-L-actic. It fills in shallow-to-deep lines and wrinkles and is often used to treat smile lines between the nose and mouth, marionette lines around the mouth and chin wrinkles. The results can last for more than two years and after that we recommend a top-up treatment every 9 to 12 months. Radiesse® smooths out moderate to severe facial wrinkles. The effects are immediately visible and, as new collagen is produced over the following weeks and months, your skin will appear even more youthful over time. The treatment results are long-lasting but not permanent. You can discuss every aspect of your treatment with no obligation to go ahead. Our practitioners and nurses are extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you have. If you feel ready to go ahead, we can book your treatment in for a date and time that suits you.
3. The treatment
On the day of your treatment, you’ll be able to go through any last-minute questions with your practitioner or nurse. They’ll apply a numbing cream to the areas where the dermal filler is going to be injected. Once it’s taken effect, your practitioner will use a very fine needle to carefully complete the series of small injections. The treatment takes between 30 and 45 minutes and, although you may experience some slight swelling or bruising, you’ll be able to see the results straight away.
4. Recovery
You’ll be able to leave the clinic as soon as your treatment has been completed, and you should be fine to go about your normal day-to-day activities. Any swelling or bruising usually disappears within 48 hours.
5. Aftercare
We believe that the highest quality aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself, so we’re here to support you. If you have any questions or concerns at all, you can contact our 24/7 helpline. You’ll have a follow up appointment with us one to two weeks later so we can check that you’re happy with the results. Depending on the type of filler that’s used, the results can last between six months and two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a responsible provider of cosmetic surgery, we understand that each individual’s procedure is different and will be tailored specifically around the patient. Because of this, we place a great deal of importance on our free face-to-face, no obligation consultations. Following our consultation process your patient advisor will provide a detailed pricing overview around the particular procedure. Please view our pricing and finance page to read more about our flexible credit options, available via our partnership with a specialist financial provider.
How long does dermal filler treatment take?
The treatment generally takes around 30 to 45 minutes, and you can usually get back to everyday life straight away.
Who will perform the dermal filler treatment?
Dermal filler treatments are only ever administered by our fully qualified, highly trained practitioners and nurses.
Is the treatment painful?
We apply a special numbing cream to the area that’s going to be treated, which means that although treatment might be uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful.
Are there any after effects or side effects?
There might be a small amount of swelling or bruising around the site of the injections but this usually subsides within 30 minutes and disappears entirely within 48 hours.
Is there any aftercare required?
Other than a follow up appointment one to two weeks later, there’s no aftercare required. Any temporary discomfort you may feel after the procedure can be treated with painkillers.
How long do dermal fillers last?
The effects of Juvederm® and Restylane® last for between 6 and 24 months. Sculptra® can last for more than two years and Radiesse® lasts up to a year or more in many patients.
What causes deep lines and wrinkles, hollows and sunken cheeks?
Over time, your skin slowly loses the collagen that helps to shape and support it. Sun exposure, smoking, air pollution and everyday stresses can speed up the aging process, causing lines, wrinkles and sagging to develop more quickly. Dermal fillers replace the collagen that’s been lost to help you look fresher again.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a technique to improve wrinkles, discolorations and acne scars of the face. Resurfacing techniques involve ablation of the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin, and a variable depth of ablation of the dermis, the structural supportive layer of the skin. Following this ablation, re-healing of the skin from deep epithelial elements occurs and skin is fresher with diminished wrinkles or scar irregularities.
Laser resurfacing is used primarily for facial scar improvement (especially post acne scar treatment) and for facial aesthetic enhancement to tighten skin and soften wrinkles.
In practice
a) Chemical peeling, whereby an acid is used to burn into the skin layers: this is effective but messy and lacks control.
b) Dermabrasion whereby a physical abrasion with a burr denudes the skin: again this is messy and not that controlled – but when done effectively works well
c) Laser ablation whereby a high powered focused beam of light ablates skin layers into the dermis : because the light beam seals blood vessels, this is a relatively clean and neat procedure. Also, because te amount of energy delivered to the skin can be carefully controlled, this is a relatively precise technique with accurate control of the depth of ablation achieved.
Laser Resurfacing is now preferred to dermabrasion and chemical peel or can be used in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures.
The effectiveness of laser resurfacing depends on the level of ablation into the dermis. A deep resurfacing into the mid dermis will give the most effective result. This depth of burn is associated with a raw skin (like sunburn) healing phase of 7 to 10 days and a subsequent period of skin redness for a further 3 to 4 weeks. Commonly used lasers that can readily achieve the depth of burn to achieve adequate results include the carbon dioxide (Co2), erbium lasers and modern ablative FRAXEL lasers. Q-swith ruby lasers can give a gentler treatment with short downtime recovery.
The laser has greater advantages over the older methods in accuracy and precision. The laser allows the skin to be vaporised in a controlled method layer by layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of laser?
The laser seals all blood vessels and lymphatic vessels at the same time, leaving a clean dry surface to work from.
Bacteria and viruses would be killed by the intensity of the heat.
A more uniform thickness of skin can be removed at once, due to precise control.
Am I suitable for laser resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is suitable for someone who:
- Wants to rejuvenate the damaging effects of the sun’s ageing process.
- Is concerned with the colour, texture or condition of their skin’s surface.
- Has acne or chicken pox scarring.
- Has scarring due to an injury or accident.
How long does it take?
Usually about 30 – 90 minutes, depending upon the areas to be resurfaced.
Is hospitalisation required?
Surgery can usually be performed as a day only procedure. You would be able to go home after a few hours.
Does it hurt?
Anaesthesia is required. Local anaesthesia can be used for smaller regions but general anaesthesia is used for the whole face resurfacing.
What should I expect after surgery?
Usually for the first week your skin will look grazed and scabs may form. This will be covered by regular applications of Vaseline.
Gentle skin washing with a mild soap and application of diluted hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic ointment is used to remove the yellowish crust which usually forms on the lasered area.
When the crust falls off, smooth, new skin will be healing underneath. This will be pinkish for a few weeks but will continue to fade.
A camouflage make-up can be applied to the area to blend with the normal skin colour when the skin has healed, usually 10-14 days.
You can usually return to work at about 2 weeks. For larger areas or deeper resurfacing, the area may be very red and three to four weeks off work may be required particularly if you have an occupation which requires close personal contact. Following this, you will need to wear moisturiser and sun block SPF 30+ for six months.
Will my skin be more sensitive?
For the first three months, certain creams and make-up may sting.
Is this permanent?
For scars, the unevenness will be improved and is permanent. It may never remove the scars completely but the aim is improvement. Secondary procedures are sometimes necessary to obtain further improvement. Usually 30% to 60% improvement in post acne scarring is achieved.
If you are sensible and keep out of the sun, wear sun protection and carry on with a maintenance skin care programme, your result will be optimized.
Are there any complications that may occur?
Prolonged redness: Redness will last from three weeks to 4-6 months.
Pigmentation changes: Occasionally, patients may develop irregular hyperpigmentation (brown spots) during their healing interval and these can occur up to six months after surgery. You will be provided with cosmetic products after surgery to help minimise this risk. Patients are encouraged to aggressively apply sun screen products as ultraviolet light exposure is counterproductive to achieving and maintaining a revitalised configuration for the skin. Hyperpigmentation is generally transient and resolves after 6 months or so.
Hypopigmentation or loss of skin pigment is much less common (1% or so risk). This occurs more in darker skins and does however, tend to be permanent.
Telangiectasia (fine vessels): A rare problem but recovery is quick. Further laser treatment may be required.
Milia (small cysts): These are caused by blocked pores and glands and they usually disappear in 6-12 weeks but this is also rare. Sometimes these are manually removed.
Herpes Zoster/Cold Sores: Laser may reactivate Herpes virus leading to fresh lesions following the lasering. In order to reduce the chance of Herpes reactivation, if you have a history of Herpes or cold sores, you will be prescribed antiviral tablets before and following the surgery and antiviral cream for your lips following the surgery.
**Results may vary for individual to individual