Everything you need to know about anti-wrinkle treatment
Is ‘Botox’ actually preventative?
Absolutely! Anti-wrinkle treatment is a prevention as much as it is a treatment. The toxin works by relaxing the muscles responsible for certain facial expressions such as frowning. If we are not able to frown so intensely, then the lines are not able to become so etched in our skin, resulting in a smoother complexion.
How long does ‘Botox’ last?
This is dependent on multiple different factors such as your own individual metabolism and how much aerobic exercise you do. It is also important to mention that smaller doses of toxin will wear off faster than a larger dose. On average the toxin will be completely metabolised by your body by the end of month 3 or 4.
What will happen if I stop getting ‘Botox’?
Not much! Your expressions will go back to their previous activity. If anything, your fine lines may be slightly less apparent as they would have been without previous treatment.
Can I have 'Botox' if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?
We do not treat expecting or breastfeeding mothers with botulinum toxin. Whilst there is limited research to suggest there would be any negative consequences, there is also little research to show that it is proven to be safe to an unborn child.
Can I drink alcohol after having 'Botox'?
Whilst a single alcoholic beverage is unlikely to cause any negative side effects, we do not recommend anything more than this for the 24 hours following your treatment. This is to reduce your risk of bruising or migration of the product.
What aftercare should I follow?
Click the link below for details on preparation and aftercare advice for injectable treatments:
What are the risks?
With any injectable, there will always be a risk of bruising. If this occurs, then you may wish to cover the area with make-up from the following day.
A rare but significant risk is Ptosis, which means drooping of either the eyebrow or the eyelid. It happens as a consequence of the toxin moving to a different muscle that we are not trying to target and subsequently relaxing the muscle. Whilst the effect is temporary (lasting up to 3 months), we recommend aiming to reduce this risk by always going to a medical practitioner for your treatment who will have an in-depth knowledge around anatomy. It is also just as important to follow our aftercare advice which will reduce the risk of the product migrating.
Does 'Botox' hurt?
The treatment is administered with a very small needle, therefore most patients will describe the feeling a small pinch and a relatively comfortable procedure.
At what age should I start getting 'Botox'?
There is no ‘ideal’ age to start having anti-wrinkle treatment, however in most cases starting in your 30s when fine lines start to become more apparent and static (meaning they are visible even at rest), is ideal in terms of prevention.
Take a look at this article in collaboration with Glowday when we treated our lovely client Beth Harwood with ‘Baby Botox’:
How many ‘areas’ will I need?
This will be discussed and agreed with you at your consultation. The 3 main areas we treat are:
- Frown lines
- Forehead
- Crows Feet