Botox is one of the many trade names for the purified form of botulinum toxin. You see advertisements everywhere for Botox injections promising a better appearance for you. And yes, it’s true — most who undergo Botox injections regain a more youthful appearance. This popular micro-injection reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases and crows’ feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck.

Botox relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. The treatment is also effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and reducing prominent jawlines for a “sharper and softer” face shape.

Many facial wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to make repeated facial expressions. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines, leaving the overlaying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Lines gradually smoothen out from disuse and new creases are prevented from forming.

Botox can also be used for:

• Crows feet and smile lines around the eyes
• Facial contouring to reduce a square jaw
• Frown lines between eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead wrinkles
• Stopping excessive sweating

Botox procedures do not require anaesthesia and usually take just a few minutes to perform. This non-surgical treatment injects a small amount of Botox into selected facial muscles using a very fine needle. To minimise bruising, patients are advised to stop using aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications about two weeks before treatment.

Treatments usually take about 10 minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief, described by patients as an ant-bite sensation. Most resume their daily activities immediately.

Botox can be used by anyone in good health and does not use drugs in any form. Although there is no evidence to suggest that Botox could harm an unborn child, it is always recommended that pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid Botox injections. Those on any type of medication are prohibited from Botox injections as the combination may result in serious side effects.

Depending on individual, results can be seen in 3 to 5 days, full effect takes about 14 days or more.

Depending on the individual, we would recommend patients to come back for treatments between 4-6 months. Most patients require re-treatment as wrinkles and lines reappear, but after each injection, wrinkles become less severe as muscles are trained to relax.

Lines and wrinkles will gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance. Depending on the individual, this may take between 6 to 12 months. There are no adverse effects if treatments are discontinued.