New at Serenity this August, we are happy to introduce Dr Alison Ward who will administer all Botox.
What is Botox?
Botox is one brand of a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, a chemical toxin that is produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Although this is the same toxin that causes botulism — a type of infection that can result in life-threatening muscle paralysis — Botox is safe to use as an injectable medicine because it is used in such small quantities and injected directly into specific sites. Another brand of botulinum toxin type A, called Dysport, is also available.
How does Botox treatment work?
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport) blocks the release of a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) known as acetylcholine from nerve cells. Acetylcholine normally transmits nerve impulses to muscle cells, causing them to contract. Without acetylcholine, the affected nerve is unable to send a signal to the muscle it supplies, resulting in a weakened or paralysed muscle. The effect of Botox injections is restricted to the area being treated, and because the nerve fibres usually regenerate after a couple of months, the effect is only temporary.
How are Botox injections used to treat wrinkles?
Botox injections can be used to weaken or paralyse some of the facial muscles that pull on your skin and cause wrinkles, allowing the skin to flatten out. About 2 to 7 days after the injections, the lines and wrinkles that are normally caused by certain facial expressions start to disappear. Because Botox therapy targets specific, individual muscles, the ability to form most facial expressions should not be affected.
How long does the effect last?
The improvement in the appearance of your wrinkles usually lasts for 3 to 6 months, and repeated injections are required to maintain the effect. With continued use, the effects may start to last longer.
A small number of people develop neutralising antibodies to Botox injections after repeated therapy, which results in the treatment no longer being effective.
