Botox Fitzrovia

Botox, more specifically Botulinum toxin, is a medical and cosmetic agent administered by qualified practitioners as a purified neurotoxin that temporarily paralyses muscles in the face. Over time the relaxed muscles allow the overlying lines or wrinkles to smoothen and become less noticeable. The term ‘Botox’ has stuck in the public’s consciousness as this was the original branded name of the first commercially used injectable toxin. In the cosmetic industry, the muscles responsible for creating classic dynamic frown lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines and forehead wrinkles are the target. Botulinum toxin is produced in specialised manufacturing laboratories to very high standards and has an excellent safety profile when used by experienced and qualified medical professionals. Dr Humble always recommends going to a reputable medical clinic when having any injectable treatment such as Botulinum toxin or dermal filler injections.

A modern twist on the well-established practice of administering Botox to the facial muscles. The same type of Botulinum toxin is used but significantly less units are injected into each target area. Simply put, the desire to maintain a more natural look has led to the creation of ‘Baby Botox’ as an antidote to the overzealous practices of the past resulting in expressionless and ‘frozen faces’. The targeted muscles retain some animation to allow movement and expression of the face. This is the perfect treatment for clients looking for a refreshed look and particularly new clients seeking rejuvenation without looking starkly different to their prior look.

Botox injections have a wide variety of uses, most notably as an antidote to facial wrinkles. Listed below are other conditions also helped:

• Chronic migraine headaches
• Chronic muscle spasms  
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating)

At Hedox Clinic, we specialise in treating facial wrinkles and migraines.

There are many reasons to consider having Botox injections. Most commonly this is to look younger and have a refreshed look or it can be linked with pressures from (social) media, and society in general to age gracefully betwixt with the expectation to maintain a youthful glow. Botox is a safe and effective treatment but it is not necessarily the answer for everyone. Pregnancy and breastfeeding currently have no reports of any contraindications for use but no ethical study can ever be made to attest to this. Botox treatment is suitable for all genders and is increasingly popular with men looking to soften lines and wrinkles without any noticeable evidence of treatment.

Immune disorders, psychological reasons, skin sensitivity, alcoholism, bleeding disorders and poorly controlled diabetes patients are recommended to avoid botulinum toxin treatment. However, practitioners can discuss individual cases with the client’s general practitioner to discuss suitability. Finally, clients with unrealistic expectations e.g. those with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are unlikely to be satisfied with any outcome achieved and as such are not considered suitable candidates for Botox treatment. Please see Chapter 7 of Dr Humble’s book for further information – Should I get Botox?

It is not uncommon to see clients who have waited until their wrinkles have deepened to a more permanent state. It is best to avoid getting to that stage but not impossible to improve. If you have minimal wrinkles at the present time this is the ideal opportunity to rectify these to ‘stop the clock’ on further ageing and deepening of wrinkling skin. Unfortunately, botulinum toxin cannot undo the worst of sun damage and taking appropriate measures to protect our skin from harmful UV rays; high SPF, wide-brimmed hats, staying out the midday sun and following a healthy Mediterranean style diet with moderate alcohol use are all great tips for maintaining a healthy plump face. 

Book in for an appointment at the Hedox Clinic to discuss your options with your consultant and they will assess your suitability and make recommendations as per your personal circumstances.

Every individual is different with genetics and lifestyle/environmental factors playing a role in accelerated ageing of the skin. Again, booking in with our consultants is the best option for discussing suitability and making recommendations. Some clients begin their botulinum toxin journey in their late 20’s and require perhaps two sittings per year to maintain their youthful appearance and keep worry lines at bay.

It is recommended to avoid both exercise and consuming alcohol for 24 hours post-treatment. This is primarily to improve and optimise your healing capacity and decrease the likelihood of bruising and swelling to the injection sites.  Alcohol is a vasodilator and increases blood flow to the face. With regards to consuming alcohol aboard aircraft, the effects can be more dramatic and have a more sustained and impactful recovery. Although very uncommon, botulinum toxin can have a dizzying effect and may cause drowsiness which is best avoided with alcohol use. 

Similarly, exercise should be avoided for a minimum of 3 hours post-treatment but ideally for 24 hours due to the increased blood flow to the area. Increased cardiovascular output can have a negative outcome for your treatment area, causing your botulinum toxin to diffuse away from the treatment site and may have other undesired outcomes e.g. temporary paralysing of adjacent facial muscles. 

Your consultant with discuss and provide you with aftercare information regarding this matter.

It really is the million-dollar question! Dr Humble has helpfully published a clear and concise book on the matter available here. He discusses the history of botulinum toxin, the risks and benefits and covers the journey from consideration to consultation to completion. Our helpful team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Book in for your consultation with Dr Humble to discuss your individual needs. You will see results quickly and once the treatment wears off after 3-4 months you will return to your pre-treatment condition.  If you would like to get rid of unsightly lines on the forehead, brow or around the eyes then this could be a great and very safe option for you. 

The question of cost comes down to the number of areas to be treated e.g., 1. Brow. 2. Forehead lines. 3. Crow’s feet. 4. Bunny lines, and the skill and expertise of your practitioner. Number of areas can be discussed over the phone with our helpful team and during consultation. 

Our current great value prices at Hedox Clinic are as follows:

• 1 area = £250.00
• 2 areas = £300.00
• 3 areas = £350.00
• Neck platysma Botox injections = £350.00
• ‘Baby Botox’ = From £250.00 (subject to assessment/requirements)

Benefits:

• Dramatic smoothing of facial lines
• Long-lasting results
• Natural looking rejuvenation
• Prevention of further deepening of problem wrinkles

Risks:

• Asymmetry
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Drooping eyelid (very rare)
• Infection (rare)
• Swelling
• Visual impairment (extremely rare)

Due to the nature of the treatment on the tiny nerve endings in the targeted muscles the effects (particularly in the first instance) can take up to one week to appear. However, if injected at regular intervals the weakening of the muscles means the results appear more quickly and last longer. There may be some residual redness or very minor bruising which will dissipate quickly.

As with all aesthetic treatments, this is based on the individual but, in general terms, Botox can last 3-4 months in the first instance but with regular use it is very common to last up to six months.