Faq

Botox is a neuromodulator (form of botulinum toxin type A) that is injected into targeted treatment areas using an ultra-fine needle. It works by blocking the nerve signals needed for facial muscles to contract. Its the repetitious contraction of facial muscles that causes expression lines and wrinkles. Once injected, the neuromodulator relaxes the muscles and decreases their movement to reduce the appearance of lines or wrinkles in the area. You will see your results gradually over 3-7 days following injection.

Botox can be used to address lines and wrinkles on a number of different facial areas, including the forehead, eye area (crows feet), and lip lines. It may be injected to soften dimpling of the chin. Botox can also be injected into the muscles of the jaw to help alleviate pain from teeth grinding or TMJ or for a jaw slimming effect. Some of these treatment areas may be considered off-label.

Botox treatments are quick with minimal discomfort. The treatment requires no anesthesia or recovery time. Many people get Botox during their lunch hours and are able to return to work right after their appointment.

The procedure is not considered painful. Most patients report a brief period of discomfort during the injection, which does not persist once the procedure is complete.

While the experience of each patient may differ, it usually takes 3-5 days to see the effects of Botox. For some, it may take up to 2 weeks to realize the final effects.

The results of Botox typically last between 3-5 months from the date of injection. Over time the body metabolizes the Botox, leading to the slow return of muscle movement in the treatment area. Patients can choose to maintain their Botox results for longer periods by undergoing periodic maintenance treatments every 3-4 months.

Some patients may wonder if they are too young or too old to try Botox. There is no right or wrong age to start using Botox. Patients should be evaluated and receive a consult by a medical professional prior to treatment. Many millennials are starting to using Botox in their twenties when they first start to notice lines and wrinkles or as a preventative measure.

Yes, Botox is an FDA approved treatment for reversing lines and wrinkles. However, patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neurological diseases should not receive Botox treatments.

A week before the treatment most physicians will advise patients to stop consuming alcohol or taking medications or supplements that thin the blood like aspirin, ibuprofen, Gingko Biloba, or Ginseng. This will help minimize bruising after the procedure.

Side effects from a Botox treatment may include bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness around the injection site, all of which will resolve without intervention after a few days to a week.

Fillers are anti-ageing injections which contain a gel-like substance, most often hyaluronic acid, which can give the skin a rejuvenated look. When injected into the skin, dermal fillers quite literally fill out lines and wrinkles, volumise hollow, sunken areas of the face and define and reshape facial features.

Dermal fillers are used to treat static lines (which remain on the face even when its relaxed) and for facial contouring. Treatment areas include:

Tear troughs (eye bags)
Nose (liquid rhinoplasty)
Cheeks
Marionette lines (which extend from the corners of the mouth down to the chin)
Nasolabial folds (lines either side of the nose)
Lips
Chin and jawline
The backs of the hands
The neck
Dynamic lines (which disappear when the face is expressionless), however, are best treated with Botox.

When filler is injected into the skin, it smooths out fine lines and wrinkles and plumps out areas which have lost volume. Essentially, dermal fillers work in place of diminished fat, collagen and elastin.

Hyaluronic acid (the most common filler substance) makes a great injectable as it attracts and holds onto lots of water - this water then helps create the plumping effect underneath the skin.

One of the biggest benefits of fillers is skin rejuvenation - lines and wrinkles can be filled out and the face can be sculpted with a little help from dermal fillers. Theres even a treatment called the liquid facelift which uses fillers to give the face a firmer, youthful look as an alternative to a surgical facelift.

Dermal filler injections can also be used to alter and define facial features like the nose, chin and jawline, as well as for treating acne scars.

The most common types of dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, including the popular brands Juvéderm and Restylane. Hyaluronic acid is often favoured over other filler substances because it can be dissolved (with an enzyme called hyaluronidase) if anything goes wrong with the treatment or if the client doesnt like the results.

Another plus of hyaluronic acid is that it's a naturally-occurring molecule found in the skin, which means its a safe material thats well-received by the body.

The treatment time will depend on the area being injected and how much filler is needed. But, generally, dermal filler treatments are quick, taking less than 15 minutes. For more intensive filler treatments - like the liquid facelift - the procedure can take about 30 minutes to an hour.

If a numbing cream is used, youll have to wait roughly 20 minutes for it to kick in before the treatment begins.

The dermal filler side effects are pretty minimal and usually disappear soon after the treatment - they typically last a few days. They include things like swelling, redness and minor bleeding near the injection points. You might also experience some bruising, but applying an arnica cream to the area can help keep this at bay.

If any of these symptoms persist, contact your practitioner for advice.

Theres no downtime following a filler treatment, so youll be able to resume your plans as usual. And any side effects you encounter should clear up within a few days of your treatment.

But, you might want to clear your calendar of important events until any signs of redness, swelling and bruising have disappeared.

Your practitioner will likely apply a topical numbing cream to the target area to help reduce pain as much as possible. Lots of modern fillers also contain lidocaine, which will continue to numb the area with each injection.

Some areas of the face will be more sensitive than others - like the lips and nose - but, talk to your practitioner about pain management options if youre concerned.

Because there are lots of important arteries in areas of the face which are often treated with fillers, the treatment is medium-risk. But, the risks of dermal fillers are significantly lowered if you choose a medically qualified practitioner for the procedure who has the right training, lots of experience and the appropriate qualifications.

Its also really important that you chat with your practitioner about your medical history, conditions you might have or any medications youre taking beforehand to ensure nothing will impact the safety of the treatment.

A week prior to your treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish oil supplements as these may increase bleeding and bruising. However, if you are taking any prescribed medicines, including aspirin, do not stop taking them. Instead, chat with your practitioner or GP first.

Avoiding alcohol for at least one day before your treatment is also recommended.

Try not to touch the treated areas immediately after your anti-ageing treatment as this can lead to infection or interfere with the placement of filler. Exercise, alcohol and heat should be avoided for the first couple of days after the treatment and you should wait 1-2 weeks before having any other aesthetic treatments.

You shouldnt have a filler treatment if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, if youre allergic to any of the ingredients in the filler, or if your skin is irritated or infected.

Your practitioner will be able to give you further guidance on this.

When hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are used, results typically last for 6-18 months. But, their exact longevity will vary from person to person as it depends on how quickly each individual metabolises the filler.

For non-hyaluronic acid fillers, results can last for years.