Toxin- what you need to know
Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure for men and women. Unfortunately, many people don’t have positive views about it, mostly due to celebrities who look frozen & somehow odd. However, what you don’t see are the great results, because they are unnoticeable. We just presume the person is genetically gifted.
Where can it be injected?
Toxin is commonly used to treat the forehead lines, frown lines, and crows feet. However, it can be used to improve an array of cosmetic and medical conditions, it can balance out asymmetry, gummy smiles, smokers lines (sometimes known as lipstick lines). It can stop sweating and even reduce a wide face. Medically it has helped with migraines and eye spasms & physiotherapists have even started using it for knee pain.
What do I need to know?
Once injected it will take a few days to become effective. The toxin will leave your system but the effects will continue on for about 3-4 months. There are risks and all practitioners should educate the client fully into the possible side effects and risks. These often include localised bruising, but eyebrow drooping, asymmetry, and eyelid ptosis can occur. Another potential risk is that you could look ‘frozen’. If injected by a professional practitioner who understands beauty and art, then you shouldn’t look frozen. We need to move away from the idea that all wrinkles need to be eradicated. Instead think of toxin as something to help soften lines and wrinkles. We don’t need to try and look younger, we simply want to look refreshed & as good as we can for our age. Getting older is a privilege!
How can inject toxin?
Although we continue to campaign, anyone can legally inject Botox in the UK. I would always advise you to choose a medically qualified practitioner, e.g.- nurse, doctor, or dentist. It is the safest route, as they have studied higher education, have a solid understanding of anatomy, complications, and pharmacology & importantly should be able to manage emergencies and compilations safely. Not only that but medics must be part of a registered body that unpins their practice, ensures they keep up to date with their clinical skills, checks their DBS status and as a minimum, they must be insured to practice. None of this applies to a beauty therapist, who has no regulatory body and doesn’t even have to legally have insurance.
Anything else?
The most important aspect to take away from this is to do your research, if prices are crazily cheap then it is a major red flag. Botox® is an expensive drug these prices are not possible, believe me. Importantly ensure they offer you a face-to-face appointment which is a legal requirement before treatment. Then relax, listen to the aftercare given, follow it, and feedback to your injector. They will have a record of what units they administered and can make changes next time. Develop a relationship with your practitioner, so that you can build trust. Your face should not be thought of as being a ‘transaction’ like buying an item of clothing.
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