Botulinum toxin therapy is now an accepted and popular method of treating unwanted facial lines. The drug is the by-product of a bacterium called C.Botulinum and acts by causing nerve weakness at the site of the injections. This nerve weakness causes a long lasting relaxation of the facial and forehead muscles which, by being overactive, cause lines to appear on the overlying skin. It usually takes few days for the effect of the injections to become apparent. The treatment may be used for lines on the forehead, around the eyes or between the eyebrows.
No anaesthetic is required. Using a very fine needle, small amounts of Botulinum toxin are placed into the muscles responsible for the lines that are bothering you. Numerous small injections may be required. There are usually no visible after effects from the injections, although occasionally temporary swelling of bruising may occur.
You should not massage the area injected in the first six to eight hours as this may allow the drug to spread to the eyebrow and eyelid muscles. It will help if you can avoid lying down during this period and you should try to exercise the muscle areas treated.
Although the dose of toxin used has not been shown to have any serious complications, you should not have this treatment if you fall into one of the following groups:
- Pregnant of breastfeeding
- Patients with neurological or muscular diseases (eg Multiple Sclerosis)
- Patients taking aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Patients allergic to Botulinum Toxin
Temporary muscle weakness around the eyes may occur in approximately one in one hundred patients treated. In some cases this may cause noticeable double vision or drooping of the eyelid. These problems resolve spontaneously but may take several weeks to get better completely.
It is not uncommon to have a mild headache for up to 48 hours after the treatment. Paracetamol or other simple painkillers can be used if required. If you have any concerns following the treatment please do not hesitate to contact Mr Neil Solomons
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