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| Raj Acquilla > Cosmetic Treatments, Botox |
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What is Botox®? Botox® (Botulinum toxin type ‘A’) is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It was developed during the 1970s – 1980s to treat blepharospasm (spasm of the eyelids) and strabismus (squint).
In 1997 it achieved FDA approval for cosmetic use in the USA and by 2006 was granted a license by the MHRA in the UK for the treatment of
frown lines.
Worldwide, now more than 3 million Botox® treatments take place per year.
How does Botox® work?
In addition to skin cell changes, collagen depletion and damage due to free radicals, wrinkles are caused by muscle contraction. For example, when you are angry or confused, you draw your eyebrows together and downwards. This causes pleating of the skin which results in frown lines.
Similarly, elevation of the eyebrows causes horizontal lines on the forehead and smiling / squinting causes crows feet around the eyes.
Botox® is injected into the target muscle and works at the neuromuscular junction by blocking the transmission of signals from the nerve ending to the muscle. This causes temporary paralysis of the treated muscle, which results in the reduction or loss of wrinkles. The result is not permanent because the nerve ending re-establishes it’s signalling by forming new nerve sprouts. This sprouting takes approximately 3-6 months, at which point the muscle regains it’s activity and the wrinkles begin to reappear. |
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Botox® Treatment
- A few tiny injections into facial muscles using a very fine needle
- No local anaesthetic required – discomfort is minimal
- Takes 10 mins to perform – no downtime necessary
- Noticable wrinkle reduction in 3-5 days
- Results last at least 3 months
Botox® Aftercare (within the first 6 hours)
- DO gently exercise the treatment areas by frowning, smiling, squinting and lifting the eyebrows occasionally - this will optimise your result
- DO NOT rub or massage the treatment areas – this may increase the risk of complications by spreading the product
- AVOID alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen for 24 hours which can increase the risk of bruising and swelling
- AVOID lying flat or bending down excessively
- AVOID very strenuous physical activity
Possible side effects of Botox®
- Small area of redness at treatment site lasting 2-3 hours (common)
- Bruising / swelling of treatment area (less common)
- Dull heavy sensation +/- occasional headache (less common)
- Ptosis (droop) of eyebrow or eyelid (rare)
- Double vision (very rare)
Botox® Prices
| Number Of Treatment Areas |
Price |
| 1 |
£195 |
| 2 |
£275 |
| 3 |
£350 |
| 4 |
£400 |
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for more information or to arrange a free consultation with Dr Raj Acquilla
Alternatively call 01606 882115 |
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