Botulinum toxin (sometimes referred to as "Botox" by patients) is a protein that helps stop muscle spasm. When it is given as small painless injections into the facial muscles it blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscles causing them to relax. This relaxation results in a softening of facial lines.
Botox injections are most effective in three main areas of the upper face:
The main 3 areas are:
* Forehead "worry lines" - formed when we raise our eyebrows
* Glabellar "frown lines" - the area between the eyebrows
* Crow's feet - the areas around the outside of the eyes.
Treatments can also be performed for:
* Gummy Smile
* Jaw Line Reduction
* Crow's feet - the areas around the outside of the eyes.
* Wrinkles of the bridge of nose known as the 'bunny lines'
* Dimpling of the chin
All procedures are carried out by a qualified doctor, Dr Carole McAlister.
The treatment takes around 20 minutes. After the treatment the area may be slightly red and swollen, however you can resume normal activities and drive yourself home or return to work immediately after the treatment.
It uisually takes 5-10 days before you notice the effects. The results typically last for 3-4 months or longer (up to about a year after several repeated treatments).
The procedure can sometimes be performed on the same day, but for those new to the procedure or that have medical issues, a “cooling-off period” is generally recommended, followed by another scheduled appointment.
See link below
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6584.pdf
Botulinum Toxin side effects are rare, but can include mild local pain and tenderness. Immediately after the injection there may be mild swelling at the injection site which usually subsides within 48 hours. Slight bruising is also possible.
Side effects of these treatments are extremely rare. Occasionally, the treatment may relax nearby muscle groups causing temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelids. This may last for a few weeks but will resolve with time.
As with any medicine an allergic reaction may occur, this is however quite rare. Conversely there may be some unintended benefits in some people such as easing of tension type headaches as the muscles in the forehead relax.
- 1 area - £150
- 2 areas - £200
- 3 areas - 250
- Underarm Sweating - £400
- Head Sweating - £250
- Migraines - £250
- Gummy Smile - £150
- Jaw Line Reduction - £250
Botulinum Toxin (often called Botox ®) when injected into a muscle temporarily relaxes the muscle by blocking nerve impulses. As the nerve impulses are blocked the muscle is temporarily unable to contract so that dynamic wrinkles are not formed. This gives the overlying facial skin a softer, smoother and more youthful appearance.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox ®) as a muscle relaxant has an excellent safety record and a long record of use in medicine. It has been used successfully in adults and children in variety medical conditions over the last 20 years. It has been used cosmetically to treat facial wrinkles for about 15 years and has become one of the most popular and frequently used cosmetic treatments.
We use Azzalure by Galderma
- People with infection at the proposed injection site.
- People who have previously had an allergic reaction to Botulinum toxin type A injections.
- People with muscle problems or chronic diseases affecting the muscles, such as Myasthenia Gravis, Eaton Lambert syndrome.
- Children under the age of 18 years.
- Women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
- People at risk of bleeding as there is an increased risk of bruising post procedure. These include people who have blood clotting disorders such as Haemophilia, those who are taking treatments with anticoagulant medicines such as Warfarin, Heparin, Aspirin and Anti-Inflammatory medicines. Certain herbal remedies such as Gingiko Bilboa, St John’s Wort and Vitamin E
- People with excessive weakness or wasting in the muscle to be injected, such as those patients with history of Strokes or Bell’s Palsy
- People with Chronic Breathing difficulties
Botox injections generally have an onset action of 5 to 10 days to fully develop, with the average longevity of roughly 3 to 4 months.
Botox injections are relatively painless as the injections are performed using a very fine needle. Patients therefore and do not require any anaesthesia. The full treatment takes about 15 minutes to perform and you are able to drive and go to work the same day.
The Botox effects can last up to six months but typically range from three to four months. Eventually most people require re treatment as the wrinkles reappear.
However in some treated areas (such as frown wrinkles), the wrinkles may return less severe after repeated treatments as the unconscious muscle contraction habit is broken.
Most people find that the injections cause only mild local pain and tenderness. Immediately after the injection there may be mild swelling at the injection site which usually subsides within 48 hours. Slight bruising is also possible.
Botox side effects are rare. Occasionally, the treatment may relax nearby muscle groups causing temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelids. This may last for a few weeks but will resolve with time.
As with any medicine an allergic reaction may occur, this is however quite rare. Conversely there may be some unintended benefits in some people such as easing of tension type headaches as the muscles in the forehead relax.
Botox has been used for over 20 years and does not appear to cause any negative long-term effects.
Botox treatments are designed to smooth dynamic wrinkles in the forehead and around eyes, they do not affect your facial expression.
The final result can be tailored to each patient and can be discussed at the initial free consultation.
Try to contract the treated muscle areas for up to four hours after treatment, by frowning and lifting eyebrows to allow the toxin to reach all of the treated muscle.
Avoid rubbing or touching the injected areas and avoid having facials and massage for 48 hours this is to ensure that the treatment remains at the site of injection.
Avoid vigorous exercise and alcohol-based products on the area treated for 48 hours.
If bruising develops then you can apply Arnica cream
Paracetamol can be taken for mild pain post procedure
- Botox 1 area - £150
- Botox 2 areas - £200
- Botox 3 areas - 250
- Underarm Sweating - £400
- Head Sweating - £250
- Migraines - £250
- Gummy Smile - £150
- Jaw Line Reduction - £250
Dr CAROLE McALISTER
MBChB DRCOG MRCGP
Private GP and Aesthetics Doctor
GMC Reg number: 3275151
Dr Carole McAlister is a General Practitioner and Aesthetic doctor based in Glasgow.
She graduated as a doctor of medicine and surgery at the University of Edinburgh in 1988.
Read more about Dr McAlister.
BOTOX CLINIC IN GLASGOW
A professional treatment carried out by a qualified Doctor, not a nurse or beautician.
We use the best brands in the market.
GMC Registered - N. 3275151
ICO Registered - N. ZA487876
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Registered - N. 0046418
Free consultation.
2 week review appointment if clinically indicated.
From £150
Fixed price for men or women.
Botulinum Toxin is a quick and safe procedure that has very little impact on usual activity on the day of injection. We deliver tiny injections to relax the action of the muscles that create excessive movement. These movements create ‘dynamic wrinkles’ over time. Here’s what not to do after Botox – we recommend the following precautions to allow the anti-wrinkle injections to work optimally in the targeted muscles:
No rubbing or massaging of the injected area for 4 hours after treatment, including facials.
No strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment.
Keep upright for 4 hours — no lying on your front. Minimise activities such as shoe shopping.
Avoid headwear that is tightly fitted across the forehead.
Reduce excessive alcohol consumption or medically necessary blood-thinning medication before the treatment to prevent bruising.
Patients can resume normal daily activities immediately following treatment. Light exercise after Botox can be performed after 4 hours but it is recommended that strenuous activities are avoided for 24 hours.
After 4 hours you may perform light exercise such as:
Walking
Jogging
Upright yoga (avoid any positions that leave you lying flat or upside down)
Gardening
It is recommended that you wait 24 hours before attempting any strenuous exercise after Botox, including:
Weight training
Cross-training
Long-distance running
Yoga (positions where the body is inverted)
In most cases, there will be no side effects to treatment of BOTOX®. However, because everybody’s physiology is different, people can be affected in different ways. A small minority of people reported the following side effects.
Bruising — For the majority of patients, the area of injection will appear no different. For a small minority, some minor bruising may occur.
Bumps — A few minutes after treatment small bumps may be visible on the skin. These will disappear very quickly.
Headache — True BOTOX® allergies are exceedingly rare. Temporary headache is the most commonly reported symptom following anti-ageing injectables, though the numbers of patients who report headaches is very small compared with the number of treatments performed. Any headache can be treated with usual painkillers.
Some practitioners advise limiting alcohol in the first 24 hours and for the day prior to treatment. This is because alcohol can thin the blood much like an aspirin, and abstaining can help prevent bruising.
Generally, BOTOX® injections side effects are rare and recovery is swift. Your practitioner is available should you have any questions or concerns over minor side effects such as bruising and headache.
Yes. Your face will not feel overly sore or tender. Treatment will not prevent you from washing or continuing with your normal skincare regimen. However, you are advised to avoid rubbing or massaging your face for up to 4 hours after your last treatment.
Although some people experience longer-lasting results, scientific evidence shows that the effect of Botulinum Toxin injections usually last 12-16 weeks.
Yes. BOTOX® does not ‘build up’ or accumulate in your system. We recommend scheduled treatments at about 12-16 weeks. Once the effects have worn off it is safe for you to top up treatments in the same area. It is also perfectly safe to have multiple treatments in different areas at the same time.
Once the treatment wears off, your muscles will function as they did before the injectables. This means that the wrinkles you smoothed or reduced will slowly begin to appear again. You will simply witness old wrinkles reappearing, and no new wrinkles should emerge.
Yes. Ideally, avoid make-up for an hour or so. However, mineral make-up can be applied immediately after BOTOX®. Again, it is recommended that you do not apply too much pressure during these activities in order to ensure that the injectable treatment does not disperse from the treated area.
The results of Botulinum Toxin injections usually show through from 3–5 days to two weeks post-treatment. We review the technical and aesthetic results after this time in a follow-up session (if clinically indicated).
Yes. Patients will not experience any adverse effects from flying with anti-wrinkle injections. They not affected by changes in altitude or cabin pressure.
Please send us an email to info@gpmatters.com if you have any concerns regarding the aesthetic outcome of your treatment.
Botulinum Toxin injections consist of a safe, naturally purified protein. A course of treatment has little impact on usual day-to-day activity and will not affect your sleeping patterns. To allow the BOTOX® injectables to settle, you should avoid putting pressure on the treated area or laying on your front for around four hours.
We recommend that you do not rub the Botox treatment area for up to 4 hours post-treatment. This includes the gentle rubbing associated with a facial treatment. We advise not having a facial within 24 hours post-procedure.
Right here! GP Matters / Dr Carole McAlister has been included in the UK’s top 21 private GPs in 2020, according to Tatler‘s magazine. We also have a 4.7 rating patient satisfaction rate in Google.