Botox and Neurotoxin Injections

What happens during a Botox appointment?

Treatment begins with the face at rest and then in movement: the injector watches how you actually frown, raise your brows and smile, because the muscles worth treating are the ones doing the work, and they differ from person to person. Injection points are mapped against that, not against a template. The injections themselves use a very fine needle and take a few minutes; most people describe a brief sting rather than pain, and no anaesthetic is usually needed. You can drive afterwards and return to work the same day. You will be asked to stay upright for a few hours and to avoid rubbing the treated area, both of which reduce the chance of product moving from where it was placed. Bruising is possible at any injection site and settles on its own.

When will I see results, and how long do they last?

Neurotoxin does not work instantly. The effect builds over several days as the treated muscles relax, and what you see in the first day or two is not the result. A review appointment is usually offered once the effect has fully developed, which is the point at which anything asymmetric can be adjusted — adding a small amount then is straightforward, whereas an overtreated muscle can only be waited out. Duration varies considerably between individuals and between treatment areas, and is influenced by dose, muscle strength and metabolism. Areas under constant use, such as the muscles around the mouth, generally hold effect for less time than the forehead. Your injector will give you a realistic range for your own treatment rather than a headline figure, and will tell you when to book again.

Who should not have neurotoxin treatment?

Neurotoxin is not appropriate during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it is avoided in people with certain neuromuscular conditions. An active skin infection at the intended injection site defers treatment until it has cleared. Some medications, including specific antibiotics and muscle relaxants, interact with neurotoxin, and a small number of people have a known sensitivity to its components. This is why a consultation covers your medical history and current medications before anything is injected, rather than treating the appointment as a formality. If you have had a poor result or an unusual reaction to neurotoxin previously, bring that up: it changes both the product chosen and the dose. Anyone unsure whether their history rules them out should ask before booking rather than assume either way.

The four neurotoxin brands