Botox

What it is

Botulinum toxin type A injections, commonly known as "Botox", are medical injections given in small amounts into specific facial muscles to reduce their movement temporarily. When these muscles move less, the lines that form with facial expressions may look less noticeable. The doctor decides after an assessment whether the procedure is suitable and which areas, if any, may be treated.

Who may benefit, and why people ask about it

• Forehead lines that appear when raising the eyebrows.
• Lines between the eyebrows that appear when frowning.
• Fine lines around the eyes that appear when smiling.
• Some medical uses, such as excessive underarm sweating, which are assessed in a separate consultation.
• Wanting to understand the options for expression lines before making any decision.

This procedure can help some people, but it is not suitable for everyone; deep lines that remain visible when the face is at rest may need an assessment for other options.

What the consultation covers

• A review of your health history, including long-term conditions, medicines, supplements and any known allergies.
• Questions about any previous cosmetic injections — what they were and when.
• An examination of the face at rest and during expressions to assess the muscles and lines.
• A discussion of realistic expectations: what the procedure can and cannot do.
• A decision on suitability; the doctor may advise postponing, a different option, or no treatment.
• An explanation of the possible risks and side effects, followed by informed consent before any procedure.

Questions you may want to ask the doctor:

• Is this procedure suitable for me, and why?
• What side effects are possible, and what should I do if one appears?
• When does the effect start to show, and how long might it last in my case?
• Who will perform the injections, and is there a follow-up appointment?

What a visit looks like

1. Registration, and review of the health-history and consent forms.
2. Clinical photos may be taken with your consent; they are kept in your medical file only and never published.
3. The skin is cleaned, and the doctor may mark the injection points.
4. The injections are given with a fine needle at the points the doctor has chosen.
5. Aftercare instructions, and a follow-up appointment if the doctor considers it necessary.

The number of sessions, their length and the interval between them vary from person to person and are set by the doctor based on the assessment.

Preparation

• Please tell the doctor about all medicines and supplements, especially blood thinners and supplements that may make bruising more likely.
• Do not stop any prescribed medicine without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it.
• Please tell the doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy; this procedure is usually postponed in these situations as a precaution.
• Please tell the doctor about any condition affecting the nerves or muscles, and any previous allergic reaction to injections.
• It helps to arrive with clean skin and no make-up on the treatment area.
• If you have an important event coming up, mention the date during the consultation, because the effect does not appear straight away.

After the session and possible side effects

The doctor gives aftercare instructions, which may include not rubbing or massaging the injected area and avoiding strenuous exercise for a period the doctor specifies. The effect appears gradually over the following days, not immediately after the injections.

Common effects, usually temporary:

• Mild redness, slight swelling or small bumps at the injection points.
• Minor bruising.
• A mild headache.

Less common effects:

• Temporary drooping of an eyelid or eyebrow, or unevenness between the two sides of the face.

Contact the clinic immediately, or seek urgent medical care, if you notice difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, or unusual muscle weakness.

The doctor explains the full list of risks during the consultation.

Limitations

• Results vary from person to person and cannot be predicted precisely in advance.
• The effect is temporary and fades gradually; the doctor may discuss repeating the procedure later, depending on the case.
• The procedure is not suitable for everyone, and it may have less effect on deep, fixed lines.
• The doctor may advise against injections in situations including: inflammation or infection at the injection site, pregnancy or breastfeeding, some nerve and muscle conditions, a previous allergy to the product's components, or expectations the procedure cannot meet.