Downturned Corners of Mouth

Botox® is a sterile, purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum which helps to relax the muscles causing wrinkles.

Medically Botox has been used to treat eye spasms and central nervous system disorders e.g. spasticity. Botox was first licensed for treatment in Dec 1989 by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) to treat two eye muscle disorders (strabismus and blepharospasm) and the facial spasm and in December 2000 to treat cervical dystonia.It’s effectiveness with its medical use led to the break out into the cosmetics field. It became licensed by the FDA in 2002 for cosmetic use (see link “FDA approves Botox® to treat frown lines”). It was granted a license by the MHRA for cosmetic use in 2006.

When used in a medical setting, small doses of Botox® are injected into the target muscle to block the release of the chemical acetylcholine that would otherwise signal the muscle to contract. Botox® therefore weakens the injected muscles.

Over time, as we age, overactive muscle movement gradually wears away the collagen in the skin, causing the skin to crease and wrinkles to appear. Botox® is administered by an injection with a tiny needle into the muscles of the face causing the wrinkles.

Botox® relaxes these muscles, preventing the formation of wrinkles and smoothing out lines. Botox® works only on the specific muscles injected, leaving surrounding muscles to function as usual, enabling normal facial expression, just with less wrinkles.

After prolonged use, the effects will gradually start to last longer, and can even prevent new wrinkles from forming.

Refrain from touching the treated area for 3-4 hours

Remain upright for 3-4 hours

Avoid vigorous exercise for next 3-4 hrs e.g. going to the gym

No sun-beds, chemical peels or laser treatment for the next 7 days

Muscle weakening does not begin until at least 2-3 days after the Botox treatment, but sometimes can take as long as 10 days.

After cosmetic treatment, the effects of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) usually persists for about 3-6 months before muscle activity is gradually resolved

It is recommended that you come back for more beauty treatment at the first sign of muscle re-activation in order to prevent new wrinkles from forming.