Absolutely everything you need to know about Botox

Summer time is just around the corner and we all want skin that looks healthy, youthful and rejuvenated. Whether you have a summer wedding, a confirmation or communion to attend or a host of BBQ’s and summer parties in the diary we all want to look and feel our best. This is where anti wrinkle injections, more commonly known as botox can be just the helping hand you need.

So, what’s the big deal about botox?
Try as we might, the dreaded tell-tale signs of aging, such as frown lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eye area, are almost impossible to hide. Most of us have tried and tested all manner of “wrinkle fighting” and “anti-aging” creams, serums and masks but have failed to banish that tired look that unfortunately comes with getting older. But with the help of anti-wrinkle injections, you can achieve a youthful look that is subtle, yet incredibly effective. At Thérapie Clinic, our highly skilled medical team have a deep understanding of facial aesthetics in both women and men, which means we can help you to achieve a well-rested look that is above all, natural.

Whether we realise it or not, most of us know someone that has had botox. You may have wondered why that work colleague looks like they have just spent a week at a spa and come back looking like they have bathed in collagen. Maybe you’re wondering why your friend who has recently had a baby looks so fresh face, despite the fact they are surviving on only 3 hours sleep a night.

Even though so many people have gone “under the needle” and despite the fact that anti-wrinkle injections has been tried and tested for over 20 years, there remains a a lot of myths and misinformation about botox, the procedures, and the risks. We’re here to clear up all the rumours – and your unease – with everything you need to know about botox.

The facts and figures speak for themselves
• The global aesthetics market is estimated to grow at a rate of 10.8% from now until 2021, reaching a whopping £12 billion!
• Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, with more than 6 million treatments administered each year
• Botox is the number one aesthetic treatment in Ireland and the UK, with lip fillers a very close second.
• Thérapie Clinics demand for anti-wrinkle injections has tripled in the last year, with thousands of customers putting their trust in Thérapie Clinic to deliver an outstanding service with amazing results.

What exactly is Botox?
It sounds worse than it is, but Botox is a purified form of the naturally occurring botulinum toxin that is obtained from bacteria. Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum called botulinum toxin. Although Botulinum toxin is a poisonous substance, which sounds scary, it is perfectly safe—as long as it’s made and administered by a licensed medical professional. Botox is purified with a saline solution and administered in miniscule does, making it safe for use.

Botox is FDA approved meaning it has been confirmed as being safe for use by the Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is used medically to treat certain muscular conditions, and aesthetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. It can also be used to treat excessive sweating, migraines, and some bladder and bowel disorders. The tiny, regulated amount of Botox given to correct wrinkles has been used safely for decades.

How does Botox work?
Botox is injected into localised areas of the skin in extremely small concentrations and it works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. When those nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily relaxed, and the skin becomes smoother. Without movement of these selected muscles in the face, wrinkles become softer in appearance and fines lines are reduced. Some are actually removed completely leading to a more rejuvenated and refreshed look. With continued treatment, lines and wrinkles will appear less prominent with time as the muscles shrink and becoming less contracted. It’s also worth noting, that the procedure will not only reduce the appearance of fine lines, but it will also help to prevent further wrinkles from developing.

Where can Botox be used?
Botox only works on wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement. These are known as dynamic wrinkles and are often called “expression lines.” The most common dynamic wrinkles that anti-wrinkle injections can treat are lines on the upper face, such as the frown lines between the eye brows, horizontal lines on the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes. These lines are caused by smiling, frowning, squinting, and other facial expressions. Botox will not work on fine lines and wrinkles caused by sagging or loss of plumpness in the face. These are known as static wrinkles. Static wrinkles include lines on the cheeks, neck, around the mouth and jowl areas.

Dermal fillers are recommended to treat these areas, as they restore volume, and work by plumping out the skin. At Thérapie Clinic we do not recommend anti-wrinkle injections for under the eye area. Although anti-wrinkle injections has been used cosmetically since the late 1980s, not enough research has been done to rule anti-wrinkle injections effective for wrinkles and bags directly under the eyes.

Is the treatment painful?
The treatment only takes a few minutes. The anti-wrinkle injections is administered with a very fine needle, in fact, it’s one of the smallest needles on the market, making it practically painless. All you will fell is the tiny prick of the needle for a split second, and most patients tolerate it very well. Several injections are given into the area you’re concerned about, for example the frown lines between the brows. If you are highly sensitive, and topical anaesthetic gel can be applied first.

When will I see results?
It varies by patient, but in general the effects of anti-wrinkle injections are not evident immediately. They will start to take effect after 2-5 days, when the muscles beneath the skin begin to relax. Once they do, the difference will be noticeable to you as you know every inch and line of your own face. The results are subtle and natural, making you look well-rested and more youthful. The best results will be visible about 2-3 weeks after the injections have been administered.

How long do Botox injections last?
Botox injections are not a permanent treatment, and they will wear off with time. Repeated treatments are necessary for continued wrinkle-reducing effects. Most people find that the muscle-relaxing effect of anti-wrinkle injections lasts for 3 to 4 months, but this can vary from person to person. The lines and wrinkles can often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking.

Is there any down time?
One of the greatest benefits of anti-wrinkle injections is the lack of down time needed after your treatment. Because the procedure is not surgical, you can return to your normal activities immediately afterwards. It is advisable to keep upright for at least 4 hours post treatment. Its also recommended that you avoid exercise for 24 hours post injections. You should be mindful of the treated area and avoid touching the area too much. When removing make up, you should take care not to put too much pressure on the area.

Are there any side effects?
At Thérapie Clinic, all anti wrinkle treatments are carried out by medical professionals. All of our injectors have a deep understanding of the underlying facial musculature and facial aesthetics, ensuring you are in safe and highly skilled hands. After your treatment, you may experience some slight redness or swelling at the treated area, but this will quickly disappear within a couple of hours.

Some minor bruising can occur at the site of the injection, so it’s advisable not to take any medication that thins the blood (like aspirin) for several days prior to your treatment, as this increases the risk of bruising. If bruising does occur, you can use some Arnica cream on the area. Some patients experience some mild headaches or a feeling of heaviness, but this will disappear, and you can take paracetamol if needed to alleviate this.

Will I look frozen after botox?
In a word, No. Our doctors study your facial musculature and administer the right amount of product for you, for the most natural and subtle of results. The ‘frozen’ or unnatural appearance you sometimes see on celebrities happen as a result of over-treatment. And yes, there is such a thing as too much botox. In fact, if too much anti-wrinkle injections is administered, the adverse effect can occur, and skin can droop and sag. No need to worry though, because at Thérapie Clinic we take the “less is more” approach to ensure the results are natural and subtle.

What about Botox for men?
More men are getting botox than ever before. At Thérapie Clinic, we a have seen a significant uptake in the number of male clients booking in for botox, with men accounting for 30% of our customers. The only difference, between anti-wrinkle injections for women and men, is that men tend to need more of the product. Botox works by weakening and paralysing muscles, and because men have greater muscle mass, they need more units per treatment area.

Is it true that anti-wrinkle injections can prevent wrinkles from forming?
Many people are turning to anti-wrinkle injections at Thérapie Clinic to prevent the signs of aging from becoming apparent. Evidence suggests that as the muscle is trained to relax and the overlying skin releases its wrinkle that it does help in the prevention of further lines from forming in that area. It’s the repeated contraction of the facial muscle whilst making an expression like smiling or frowning that caused the wrinkle in the first place, so once the muscle relaxes, wrinkles don’t form in the treated area until the effects of the injection wear off.

Regular treatments mean the muscle stays relaxed, and wrinkles are kept at bay. Many of our clients in their 20’s turn to anti-wrinkle injections as a preventative measure, to prevent deep lines from appearing and training the muscles to exist in a relaxed state.

Why choose Thérapie Clinic?
Our team of highly qualified injectors at Thérapie Clinic of are skilled in safely delivering anti-wrinkle injections, ensuring you are in the most competent hands possible. Their deep understanding of facial aesthetics in both women and men means they produce a look that is youthful yet subtle, so you can rest assured you are in very safe hands. The treatment can be carried out in a matter of minutes by the highly experienced team, meaning you can literally pop into one of our clinics on your lunchbreak.

How much does it cost?
Thérapie Clinic offer extremely competitive prices on anti-wrinkle injections, with prices starting at only £130 / €140. Our amazing prices along with our highly skilled injectors ensure you will receive a service that is of the highest standard, one of the many reasons our valued customers return to Thérapie Clinic again and again.

The treatment can be carried out in a matter of minutes by the highly experienced medical team at Thérapie Clinic. For more information on anti-wrinkle injections or to book your consultation, call us from the UK and Northern Ireland on 0800 012 1565 or from the Republic Ireland on 1890 650 750.

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