A - Z Guide

What is Botulium Toxin?

Botulinum Toxin has been used successfully and safely for more than 15 years in many medical disciplines, such as Neurology and Ophthalmology. Vistabel® (formerly called Botox®) and Dysport® are Prescription Only Medications, containing 100-500 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex per vial. The most common cosmetic use for Botulinum Toxin is for relaxing of the facial muscle to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Common Cosmetic Uses of Botulium Toxin

Muscle Relaxing Injections for Lines and Wrinkles.
Botulinum Toxin relaxes the muscles that cause frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. It can be used also to reduce marionette and chin lines, and to soften neck wrinkles. Facial lines seem to disappear or diminish dramatically after the treatment. You can resume normal activities immediately. It only takes 2-3 days for the injections to begin to take effect - 7 days for full effect. Treatment lasts from 3-6 months. No anaesthetic is required. A microneedle is used to reduce discomfort to a minimum. As the muscles are relaxed and the movement of the skin is reduced, it may also help with preventing further wrinkles from appearing. For more information and to locate your nearest clinic see Muscle Relaxing Injections.

Excessive Sweating / Hyperhydrosis
Vistabel (formerly Botox®) can be injected into the armpits, blocking the action of nerves that supply the eccrine (sweat) glands and stopping the glands from producing sweat. Treatment totally blocks the nerve ending for about 6-12 weeks but new nerve endings eventually start to form, resulting in the effects of treatment wearing off and another course of injections needed. The injections are only available in a few NHS hospitals; the procedure is mostly done in private hospitals or clinics. for more information about treatment of Excessive Sweating/Hyperhydrosis with Botulinum Toxin and to locate your nearest private clinc see Hyperhydrosis

New uses for Botulinum Toxin

Migraine
Like many other discoveries in medicine (such as penicillin), the use of Botulinum Toxin for the prevention of migraine came about accidentally. Several patients treated for cosmetic purposes who also happened to have migraines, reported that their migraines improved following the injections into forehead and brow muscles. Several scientific studies have been published regarding this new application of the Botulinum Toxin, and more are currently being developed. The result is that most patients note a reduction in migraine episodes of 80-90%.

Facial Blushing
An exciting new use of Botulinum Toxin. Excessive facial blushing can be emotionally challenging as well as socially and professionally disruptive. In the past 2 years, it has been observed that the use of injections of Botulinum Toxin can reduce those symptoms effectively for up to 6 months.

Mandatory Medical Statement
Vistabel formerly Botox® and Dysport® are Prescription Only Medications, containing 100-500 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex per vial. They are used for facial lines reduction. They should be administered only by a Physician trained in the procedure.

Cautions : people with defective neuromuscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation.

Possible side-effects include: Slight discomfort from the needle, small bruise at the site of injection, redness. There is a very small risk of infection from the use of injectables. A rare side-effect is temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, which may last 3-6 weeks/months.

Source: Medical Aesthetics UK www.medicalaestheticsuk.co.uk