ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS
(BOTULINUM TOXIN)
WHAT IS BOTULINUM TOXIN?
Botulinum Toxin is a natural purified protein which is used as a simple, non-surgical procedure to dramatically soften facial expression lines.
The treatment works on these wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the underlying muscles and results are usually seen in just a few days.
Botulinum toxin treatments can also be very beneficial to people with excessive sweating (underarms and palms). On the hands, a condition called hyperhidrosis, can be very troublesome for people, especially in professions where they are regularly required to shake hands. The treatment is simple and involves tiny injections of Botulinum Toxin on the palms. Results last for months, and patients have reported a very high satisfaction rate.
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IS BOTULINUM TOXIN SAFE?
Yes. Botulinum Toxin is administered at very low doses for aesthetic cosmetic treatments. Thus, the effects of these injections are generally confined to the injected region and should not travel throughout the body. Although it has only been FDA approved for the treatment of glabellar frown lines and Crow's Feet, it can safely be used in a much greater number of procedures by a proficient aesthetic medical doctor.
WHEN WILL I START TO SEE RESULTS WITH BOTULINUM TOXIN?
You should begin to see an improvement within 5-7 days, and a significant change by the 14th day following treatment.
HOW LONG WILL BOTULINUM TOXIN TREATMENT TAKE?
The actual treatment only takes 10 minutes. It is a scheduled medication and needs to be administered only by a specially trained doctor. No anaesthetic is usually required and you can return to normal activities immediately afterwards.
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HOW LONG WILL THE BOTULINUM TOXIN EFFECT LAST?
Results can last from 3-5 months, but this varies from person to person. After subsequent Botulinum Toxin treatments, results can last even longer.
WILL I EXPERIENCE ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM BOTULINUM TOXIN?
It’s unlikely that you’ll develop any significant side effects, but as with any injection, you may notice slight bruising at the injection site. This is only temporary and can easily be covered by make-up. The most common side effects are headache. Botulinum toxin should not be used if there is an infection at the injection site.
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WILL MY FACIAL EXPRESSIONS LOOK UNNATURAL?
While many practitioners may attempt to remove all traces of any wrinkles completely, here at The Aesthetic Doctors our goal is not to create an unnatural chimera akin to popularised Hollywood disasters. Instead, our focus is on enhancing your natural positive features while at the same time softening and removing the signs of ageing. Our endpoint is attaining natural, age-appropriate, individualised results in the everyday person that reflect a vibrancy and youthfulness that we all desire. Thus, with the dosages and techniques that we employ with Botulinum Toxin, we simply relax the facial expression muscles so that one can still frown, smile and look surprised, but without a weathered, aged appearance.
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WHAT TYPE OF BOTULINUM TOXINS ARE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA? HOW MANY UNITS AND WHICH TYPE WILL MY DOCTOR INJECT?
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There are currently three forms of botulinum toxins available in South Africa: AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) and Incobotulinum toxin (Xeomin). At The Aesthetic Doctors, our medical doctors will assess your unique facial musculature and identify the appropriate toxin at the appropriate dosages.