If you are interested in cosmetic treatments, you will no doubt have heard of Botox®. Botox® is in fact a brand name for a substance used for wrinkle-smoothing. This substance is called Botulinum Toxin Type A. Many people get Botox® and dermal filler treatments confused and use the term “Botox® and fillers” when not quite understanding the differences in each treatment and the effects that they can have on the facial tissues, and the results they yield. From her clinic in South Woodford, vastly-experienced and highly-qualified cosmetic doctor and dentist, Dr Anita Dhunna offers a range of non-surgical treatments for facial beautification, which include Botox® and dermal fillers. She is passionate about educating her patients about these treatments and dispelling some of the myths about Botox® injections that have arisen, simply due to not understanding how it works.
Common myths about Botox® DISPELLED!
1. “Botox will smooth every line on my face” – Botox® is a neurotoxin which, when injected in to specific facial muscles (usually in the upper facial region) blocks the nerve signals which stimulate these muscles, causing dynamic wrinkles and expression lines. This is a temporary effect and results usually last around 3 to 6 months. Some people think that Botox® will smooth every line. This is not the case, as deep set, static wrinkles or furrows will not be affected by Botox® as they are not created when we make a facial expression, rather they have developed over a significant amount of time, and require alternative treatments using dermal fillers for example.
2. “Botox® will give me trout pout or elephant face” – The confusion between Botox® and dermal filler injections is quite common. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances which physically augment the skin tissues. They do not affect nerve signals to facial muscles and can be used to sculpt and re-structure certain facial features. When we see someone who has had too much dermal filler in their lips or their cheeks, this is when we see what we call the ‘trout pout’ or ‘cat eyes’ or ‘elephant face’. This is when there is too much of the filler in a certain facial area, giving a strange, over-treated look. Botox® simply cannot create this affect, as it does not physically sit, innately under the skin tissues. Think of filler as a “Polyfilla’ for the skin and Botox® as a chemical used to relax the facial muscles which cause expression lines (crow’s feet, forehead lines, Glabellar lines).
3. “Botox® will make me look permanently surprised” – When administered by a fully-qualified medical cosmetic doctor such as Dr Anita “Dhunna, Botox® is a highly-effective treatment for dynamic lines and will not stop you forming facial expressions. A true professional who has all the training and experience required to deliver natural-looking results, will spend a considerable amount of time with you in a no obligation consultation and facial analysis, before attempting an injectable anti-ageing treatment. In this consultation, Dr Anita Dhunna will discuss what is concerning you about your face, the lines and wrinkles you would like treated and will also examine your facial anatomy, as well as check your medical history, to ensure that Botox® will not only be suitable for your skin concerns but will be safe for you to undergo. If you are someone who is just starting out with Botox® and are only experiencing the very first signs of ageing and expression lines, she may opt for Baby Botox® in the first instance. This consists of smaller doses of Botox® placed more superficially, to get you used to how the treatment will feel and the results. If you have more considerable facial ageing, Dr Anita may use a standard dose of Botox® but may also suggest some other treatments, such as dermal fillers, PDO threads, skin boosters and medical microneedling (Dermapen) to compliment your Botox® treatment and offer a more holistic approach to skin and face rejuvenation.
4. “Botox® will make me look older” – If administered correctly and respecting your facial anatomy, Botox® will only make you look fresher and more youthful. Botox® can be used in such a way as to lift the brow, offering a more wide-awake appearance to your eyes. However, when Botox® is not used correctly and when administered by non-medical professionals with little experience in this treatment, it can in fact push the eyebrows downwards, creating a square-looking forehead and a more tired look. Therefore it’s vital to choose a highly-skilled and experienced medical practitioner, to administer Botox® in the correct areas of the face, in the right quantities.
5. The results of Botox® last forever – Unfortunately, this is in fact not the case and on average, results tend to last between 3 and 6 months. Our bodies make new neurotransmitters all the time, therefore, the nerve ‘blocking’ effect of Botox® gradually wears off, as these chemicals start circulating in our bodies once again. However, there is some evidence to show that having regular Botox® treatments (once every 4 to 6 months) can prevent the onset of new dynamic wrinkles and expression lines from forming.
Botox® is one of those cosmetic injectable treatments that is here to stay and it is more popular now than ever, simply because it works! When administered by a medical professional with not only an abundance of experience but a passion and artistic flair for beautification of the face, Botox® can be a vital part of someone’s regular skin regime; as important as a healthy lifestyle, drinking enough water, avoiding UV rays and using a good quality skincare brand. Understanding the effects of Botox®, the longevity of results and how you may benefit from this treatment could mean that you become as addicted to your bi-to-tri-annual Botox® treatments, as so many of our patients are, here at Dr Anita Dhunna’s South Woodford clinic.
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