Is Botox safe?

This is a question concerning potential clients who would like to consider having anti-wrinkle injections but who are put off by popular misconceptions of ‘botox’ treatments. Numerous examples of celebrities with frozen faces don’t help to give it good press.

Since its first medicinal use in 1980 in America to treat misaligned eyes and uncontrollable eye ticks, botulinum toxin, commonly known as ‘Botox’, has grown into a multimillion pound industry. In fact, despite the recession, market analysts Mintel report the global market for cosmetic procedures has grown by 17 per cent in the last two years and is now worth £2.3 billion. Non-surgical procedures — the most common of which is Botox by far — account for 74 per cent of this in the UK.  
What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin is a purified protein manufactured under stringent control processes in pharmaceutical laboratories. It works by stopping the release of a chemical neurotransmitter so that nerve signals do not reach muscles and the effected muscles no longer contract. When injected into the face, reduced creasing of the skin allows the natural repair mechanisms of the dermis to fill in the wrinkle. This is why it works best on expression lines (dynamic wrinkles) rather than wrinkles unaffected by facial expression (static wrinkles).The latter are better addressed with dermal fillers.

Is Botox a poison?

Yes, it is. Originally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful neurotoxins known. In the 1800s it caused many deaths by botulism (generalized muscle paralysis), usually after eating poorly prepared meat. When used medically, however, it is produced in a laboratory in purified form and given in minuscule quantities, so that there are no dangerous side effects.

Is Botox safe?

The drug has now been used in medicine for over 30 years. There are approximately 1800 published studies about it, making it one of the best-researched medicines ever. Dosages used to treat children with cerebral palsy may range from 100 to 400 units, whilst typical dosage for cosmetic use is 50-125 units. Botox is used in these small quantities to treat very specific areas of the face. It will not travel into your blood system in any way and effect other parts of your body.

What are the side effects?

There will be a temporary tiny pink mark and a little swelling at each injection site, which usually lasts for a matter of minutes. Occasionally a bruise may occur, as in any type of injection. You can reduce the risk of bruising by avoiding aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs in the week prior to treatment. Rare side effects can include a headache. Laziness of an eyelid or mild double vision may occur due to technical error by a less experienced aesthetician. Fortunately these effects are temporary and reported to last one to two weeks.

How long does it last?

Botulinum toxin will reduce facial lines and wrinkles for approximately three to four months, so most people have treatment three or four times a year. The results of treatment are not immediately apparent, taking about two days to appear and a week or two to reach maximal effect. Repeated treatments will, after about 2 years, have a longer lasting effect, meaning that twice yearly injections will be sufficient.

What about migraines and excess sweating?

Botox is also very effective in reducing excessive sweating and has been approved for the treatment of migraine in the UK.

Will it produce a blank, expressionless face?

Only if used inappropriately ..and certainly not in my clinic! Unfortunately, many practitioners think that because reduced muscle activity reduces wrinkles, the more the face is paralysed the better. However, it is possible to subtly reduce wrinkles whilst still maintaining effective facial expressions and a very natural appearance.

SUN PROTECTION-The most important anti-ageing treatment of all.

According to a British Association of Dermatologists survey carried out in recent years, many Britons are unaware that sun protection can keep the skin looking younger, believing instead that applying a daily moisturizer, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and having facial treatments will suffice.

In fact, such measures will have nowhere near the anti-ageing impact of sun protection. Not only does exposure to UV increase a person's risk of skin cancer, it also affects the elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing such as roughness, increased thickness and blotchy pigmentation. So, even though you might feel instantly better with that tan, years later you will live to regret it! In reality, each tan is giving your skin irreversible sun damage which will become very evident not far down life’s winding road!

Even though we may live in rainy, cloudy old England it is still essential to protect your skin from damaging UVA rays every single day. UVA rays are constantly present, no matter the season or the weather. If you think you can't get sun damage on a cloudy day, tell that to the UVA rays! They are so powerful that they also penetrate some clothing and even glass. When was the last time you applied sunscreen before getting behind the wheel?

These photos say it all! This lady sat in the same position at work in front of a window to her left for 15 years Look at the difference between the appearance of her skin on the two sides of her face. The left certainly has aged far more and even has a precancerous lesion.

UVA rays used to be considered relatively safe, in terms of the sun's rays, and that's why tanning beds, which use UVA rays, took center stage. We now know that using tanning beds before the age of 30 can actually increase your risk of skin cancer by 75%!

UVB Rays are the rays you can blame when you get sunburn. Unlike UVA rays, these rays aren't always the same strength year round - They're more prevalent in the summer months, however they are able to reflect off water or snow, so it's always important to protect yourself all year round. UVB rays are responsible for causing most skin cancers. While large doses of UVA rays can contribute to cancer, it's the UVB rays that are commonly to blame.
All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but it wasn't until recent years that sunscreen started including UVA protection, and in fact, not all sunscreens do. Look for one that specifically says UVA/UVB or "broad spectrum coverage" on the bottle.

Our Environ range of skin care includes a highly effective sunscreen endorsed by the Cancer Association of South Africa. It is suitable for any age, even babies, and contains a reflective agent(titanium dioxide), UVA and UVB absorbent filters(Ethyl MethoXycinnamates and Butyl Dibenzoylmethane)as well as antioxidants Vitamin C , Vitamin E and Beta Carotene, to give a three armed attack against the damaging rays and free radicals. It should be applied every morning for anti-ageing protection after moisturising. If you want a tan…fake it!