Dr Maurizio Viel, plastic surgeon at LCAS Gulf, Dubai and LCAS Harley Street, London answers some frequent questions sent by our readers about botox treatment
Q: How does the botox works?
MV: Botulinum Botolinum toxin (botox) s a purified protein that blocks the nerve signal from the brain to the nerve endings (that tell you to frown). Injecting botox into the skin effectively paralyses the muscles, so wrinkles, lines and furrows don’t have the strength to contract and simply have to smooth out.
Q: What is botox good for?
MV: Botox is good for crows feet, forehead lines, lines around the mouth, upper lip lines, neck wrinkles, deep lines in the face and lines on the chest. It is also a treatment for hyperhidrosis (over sweating) and can alleviate migraine.
Q: What happens during the botox procedure?
MV: Botox is injected into the problematic areas using a very fine needle. You may require several injections, depending on the extent of the problem.
Q: How does it feel?
MV: You will feel pinpricks but it isn’t really painfull.
Q: How long does it take?
MV: Botox treatment may take ten to twenty minutes.
Q: Ho long before it heals?
MV: Immediately. You can go straight back to your life.
Q: When will I see results?
MV: Between one and three days after treatment.
Q: How long will it last?
MV: Up to six months (though can be less). After this, the benefits continue in a modified form, as wrinkles relax and lines may simply diminish. However, for best results, you should return for top-ups at regular intervals.
Q: Any side effects?
MV: Botox is very safe. In rare cases, redness, swelling, bruising and numbness may occur initially. Headaches may happen. Very rare side effects include drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow (ptosis), frozen face syndrome, where you can no longer use your face expressively (this usually occurs only if you have a lot of injections in different sites around your face); the wrong muscle could be paralysed (but remember, botulinum is not a permanent treatment so the effect would be temporary).
Q: Contraindications?
MV: Not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Botox is not suitable for people taking muscle relaxants. You should avoid other procedures such as licro-current, laser treatment, microdermabrasion etc.) for a week after treatment.
Q: Most suitable age to have botox treatment?
MV: There are no age limit, but most suitable age to have the treatment is late twenties
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