Yes, if you are one or more of the following candidates:

• Have soft/deep lines or grooves
• Want a more youthful and fresher appearance
• Are aged between 20-60
• Have undesirable facial expression lines
• -frown/worry lines
• -bunny lines on nose
• -laughter lines around eyes
• -forehead lines
• -neck lines/bands
• -high lip line with exposure of unsightly gum
• -'smokers' lines above upper lip
• Have sagging jowels
• Have unattractive low eyebrows>
• Have difficulty applying eye makeup
• Want appearance of larger eyes
• Have unwanted habits e.g frowning, teeth grinding, squinting
• Have undesirable strong, square jaw muscles
• Have pain in tense muscles e.g. back, headaches, jaw muscles
• Have unattractive chin dimpling and deep line between lip and chin
• Have unsightly flared nostrils
• Have a droopy nose
• Have a droopy mouth
• Have a facial asymmetry
• Suffer from excessive sweating

Botulinum toxin is a Clostridium bacteria which produces a protein that is purified to relax hyperactive muscles. In medicine, it has been safely and effectively used for the treatment of strabismus(cross-eye) and blepharospasm (lid spasm) since the early eighties and cosmetically for relaxing the muscles of facial expression, thereby reducing or removing the lines formed on the overlying skin giving a more youthful appearance.

It has been described as a facelift in a bottle and regarded as the ultimate fountain of youth. Botulinum toxin injections have revolutionised how and why we stay looking and feeling young.

• It can soften the lines of ageing and over expressive facial muscles
• In the right experienced hands, it is safe and natural
• It is a quick, non-invasive and painless treatment
• No anaesthesia is required
• Dramatic effects are attained in days
• There is no surgery involved and hence no scars and downtime
• It is reversible
• It can also help to unlearn the habits of e.g. frowning or squinting that originally led to the development of these lines
• Is suitable for both men and women
• It gives a feel good factor
• Improves self confidence and self esteem
• Reduces embarrassment e.g from excessive sweating
• It is affordable

Hyperactivity of the facial expression muscles often result in the development of deep frown lines, forehead lines and/or crow's feet which make people look angry, worried, tired or displeased. A very small amount of the botulinum toxin is injected precisely into the affected area which blocks the nerve transmission to the muscles under the skin temporarily paralysing the underlying muscles responsible for wrinkling, giving the face a more relaxed and pleasant appearance- more refreshed and natural. The wrinkles become smoother or disappear altogether. Normally, your brain sends electrochemical messages to your muscles to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a chemical substance called acetylcholine. When too much acetylcholine is released, the muscles become overly active and spasm or tense up. The botulinum toxin blocks the nerve from releasing the acetylcholine and as a result, the muscle spasm stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms.

After a few painless injections you can carry on your normal day and the initial effects of treatment become visible within 48-72 hours. The maximum effect is reached in about 2-3 weeks. Your facial expression will become more relaxed but by no means mask-like. The overall result is very natural and it will help harmonise our face. This relaxed fresher look will stay with you for 3-4 months initially and can last up to 6 months for some. After this the toxin is metabolised by the body.

Commonly on the frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead wrinkles, crow's feet lines around the outer eye area and bunny lines on the nose. It can also be used to raise or lower or change the shape of the eyebrows, neck wrinkles, jowels, overbuilt jaw muscles, gummy smiles, lip (smokers) lines, droopy noses or mouths, chin dimpling, facial asymmetries, reduce tension in muscles and in armpits to reduce excessive sweating and body odour.

At the initial visit the discussion and examination can take approx. half an hour. Once the injections begin, it's all over in about 15 minutes.

It is a simple non-surgical process involving a few tiny injections and there's no recovery time. You can even do it in your lunch break! No anaesthesia is required and you may resume normal activity immediately. A small amount of toxin is injected precisely into specific locations in the muscles. I will also take photographs of yourself before your first treatment and then some a week or two later after treatment so you can see the results. You'll like what you see and how you feel!!

No, I am very experienced and carry out a painless, most gentle technique. I use very fine insulin needles which are tiny micro needles that help make the procedure painless. If anything, most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite or sting. Discomfort is minimal and brief hence no need for anaesthesia.

No, you will not. There is no sensation change to your skin. Some patients describe a sensation of tightening and if your were to touch these areas, you will certainly feel the sensation of touch as you do normally. It is however, recommended not to touch the treated areas for a minimum of 4 hours.

The majority of patients will walk out of the treatment room with a few small red dots at the areas that have been injected. This slight redness typically takes about 15 minutes to go away. After that there is no sign to tell anyone that you have had the treatment. Rarely, someone may develop a bruise.

Yes. My knowledge, experience and training allows me to keep your results natural. I minimise any loss of natural facial expression by injecting specific muscles responsible for wrinkling only. I will design your treatment plan specific to your needs. The 'frozen, expressionless' look that is undesirable for many is a sign of inexperience and over treatment. This is where experience and knowledge counts and I have many years of expertise. I assist in the training of fellow medical professionals in the techniques that enable the natural effect to be achieved.

You will be given full post op care at your treatment visit. Life can carry on as normal and you can return to work on the same day. However, I do ask that you do not touch the treated area and remain upright for 3-4 hours after treatment. I advise you to refrain from alcohol or exercise on the day. Then for 7 days post-treatment, no facials/chemical skin peels/laser resurfacing treatments or sun beds are recommended.

Nothing. Your muscles will continue to move in the same way that they did before and moderate-severe lines will gradually look like they did before treatment. The effects of ageing will continue with time as normal but you will not look any worse if you choose not to have further treatment.

Yes, for most people. If you are regular with treatments initially every 3-4 months then your muscles will not work as hard as before. Thus, you can go longer periods between re-treatment and have less need for treatment eventually in the future.

Yes, if you are:

• Trying to conceive, pregnant or breast feeding
• Have certain blood clotting or muscle disorders
• On certain medications, especially certain antibiotics, anaesthetics and muscle relaxants
• Have an infection at the proposed injection site
• Have an egg allergy

Your medical history will be discussed with you at the consultation to ensure you are a suitable candidate for treatment

Yes, your cold will not affect the results of your injections, nor will the injections have adverse effects on your cold.

Yes, when carried out by a highly trained medical professional. Botulinum toxin is available by prescription only and should only be administered by a health care professional. It is a widely known and highly used procedure initially being used medically for the treatment of cross-eye, uncontrollable blinking and perspiration problems in individuals. It has been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use and has been used for over 20 years without any known long term effects. I have been trained by one of the leading experts in facial rejuvenation in the UK and also my thorough training through dentistry allows me to have the excellent standard of knowledge of the anatomy of the head and neck and its musculature minimising the incidence of any significant side effects.

No. It is extremely important to do your research. Since Botulinum Toxin treatment is becoming more popular and in demand, more and more non-medical therapists are offering treatment and so it is vitally important to check the credentials of the treatment provider to ensure that they are

• -suitably qualified medical professional with a high standard of training from a recognised training institute
• -have professional/cosmetic insurance
• -have a thorough knowledge of the face and neck
• -have an experience of injecting
• -have a sterile and private treatment room
• -offer you a full consultation before treatment
• -can demonstrate before and after photographs of their results

No, botulism is caused by very large amounts of toxin entering in the system usually from contaminated foods. The amount given in a typical cosmetic injection is too small to give a healthy patient a Botulism-like illness. Administered by a trained medical professional in the correct amount, you need not worry. When drugs are taken by mouth, they are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream. In contrast, local injections are administered directly into the desired site of action, thus they are not expected to be present in the bloodstream at a measurable level following treatment at the recommended dosage or typically remain in the injected muscle, although some spread to adjacent muscles may occur.

No, side effects are rare. There can be slight bruising at injection sites and some have reported to have headaches and slight nausea after treatment. Very rarely, there can be temporary drooping of the eyebrow or upper lid but precise and experienced injection technique alongside consideration of after care instructions given reduce the chances of this occurring. In the rare instance that this does occur, since Botulinum toxin is reversible, the effects are temporary and last for only a couple of weeks.

Yes. Non-surgical facial aesthetic options are by far cheaper and more cost effective than a surgical approach. I will discuss this fully with you along with our finance options prior to having any treatment. Consultation visits are free of charge where you will have an opportunity to discuss treatment in detail and address any queries. Costs can vary depending on the number and type of areas and start from £150. Discounts are available for more areas treated and there are in-house benefits for you to enjoy. Please ring 01708853019 to arrange for your free consultation appointment.