AESTHETIC MEDICAL CLINIC
Neuromodulation (Botox)
Botulinum toxin treatment works by blocking the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract. This leaves the treated muscle in a resting state, softening the appearance of wrinkles for around 8 to 12 weeks. The effects are never permanent. Muscle function returns fully once the treatment wears off, unless further sessions are booked in good time as part of an ongoing treatment plan. At Simon Lee Clinic in Bristol, we tailor every treatment to the individual, helping you achieve natural, refreshed results.
What is Botulinum Wrinkle Reduction
Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. In purified form, as with many drugs/medications such as Penicillin, Botulinum toxin is a very safe, effective treatment used not only in cosmetic clinics but also for a number of medical conditions, including migraine and excessive sweating. Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin and has been used for over 35 years in the NHS for the treatment of a number of muscular problems. More recently, it has been licensed for excessive sweating and also migraine. It is a prescription-only medicine. Our nurse is a fully qualified nurse prescriber. The clinic is happy to administer any of the leading brands of Botulinum Toxin, including Botox®, Azzalure®, or Bocouture®, following a medical assessment and consultation to determine whether treatment with botulinum toxin will best meet your expectations.
What does Botulinum Toxin treatment involve?
Tiny injections are administered into the superficial muscles causing the unwanted lines. This is not a painful procedure and doesn’t take very long.
For a very short time, the injection sites may be slightly red or raised, looking a bit like insect bites. This usually settles within 30 minutes. The injection sites should not be rubbed or massaged for 12 hours.
Patients will be advised to make the targeted expression frequent for one or two hours after the treatment. Patients are advised NOT to lean forward or lie down for two hours. If this advice is followed, it is unlikely that any problems will be experienced.
The full effect of the treatment develops gradually over the next 7-14 days. A 2-3 week follow-up and review appointment is recommended post-treatment. We encourage new patients, in particular, to attend this review appointment to assess the results; occasionally, further treatment is required to ‘tweak’ and perfect the result.
The length of time between appointments will vary person to person. The muscle will begin to recover some movement by about 6-8 weeks, but the lines will take longer to return. We recommend repeat treatment every 3 or 4 months. Most people maintain results with between two and four treatments per year.
Who is Botulinum Toxin suitable for?
Each patient’s needs will be assessed, and we will discuss treatment options comprehensively with them at their initial consultation.
Many lines and wrinkles are caused by repeated creasing of the skin from expressions. If we can rest the skin by avoiding those expressions, the creased skin recovers, and the lines soften or disappear. Botulinum Toxin is an ideal treatment for crow’s feet and those expression lines on the forehead. The muscles can be put into hibernation quite safely. Botulinum Toxin can also be used on younger skin to prevent lines developing. We do not recommend Botulinum treatment for anyone under the age of 25.
We will check patients’ medical history before the treatment, but we will certainly not be able to treat those with muscular or neurological disorders, anyone taking antibiotics, or pregnant/nursing mothers. Botox® is a very safe treatment. Possible side effects are very rare and, for the most part, can be avoided if the team advice is followed. At consultation, any possible risks and complications will be explained
