There was an important anniversary in non-surgical cosmetic treatments earlier this year, but it may have passed you by: Botox celebrated its 15th birthday. I say important because over those 15 years, it has become a part of the mainstream medical, and cosmetic surgery world, helping people with a number of issues.
Of course, there is still a lot of misinformation and indeed myths out there about Botox – becoming so popular so quickly brought pros and cons. Now as the treatment reaches the midpoint of its teenage years, perhaps we should take a closer look at what it is, and what it can do to proactively fight the signs of ageing.
Firstly, Botox is a brand name of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Yes, it is a toxin, but is safe when the correct dosage is applied to the correct patient in the hands of well-trained and accredited healthcare professionals.
It is worth noting too, that the toxin is in fact much older than this birthday suggests. The 15th anniversary relates to its being approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - a benchmark of safety and quality - for the treatment of lines and wrinkles, which is perhaps what it is best known for today.
The toxin was actually first discovered back in the 1800s and in the 1950s its ability to temporarily paralyse muscles, thus reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, was revealed.
Now famous as a treatment for the signs of ageing, people can still be surprised that the botulinum toxin, or Botox, has many uses. It can be used to treat excessive sweating and migraines, as well as certain eye and muscle disorders. It can be very effective in relation to these conditions, but of course it is most well-known as a temporary treatment for lines and wrinkles.
Since 2002, Botox has become synonymous with non-surgical, anti-ageing treatments. Its ability to temporarily relax the muscles in targeted areas means it can soften out the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles in various parts of the face.
Results, which can be seen after ten to 14 days, can last for months and can be quite significant. In Ireland, the use of Botox is heavily regulated, as it is legally a drug, and can only be administered by a medically trained professional.
This is vital for the patient, so I would say from the start that if you are considering having any sort of Botox treatment, or other injectables such as dermal fillers, make sure the practitioner you go to is properly and adequately qualified and experienced. You are dealing with your appearance and health here, so make sure you are getting the best from the best.
As Botox increased in popularity, one downside was that there an increasing number of people who overdid it, particularly noticeable in celebrity circles. We have all seen the results: an unappealing, frozen appearance.
However, in recent years there has been a more measured approach to using Botox, by both patients and practitioners. It has undoubtedly stepped into the mainstream and can be a great middle ground for someone who is concerned about tackling certain signs of ageing, but who is not ready to embark on any sort of surgery.
Today, people are much more open and vocal about having treatment with Botox, and this has coincided with much better results too. Speaking for myself, I have always championed natural- looking results for any cosmetic treatment my patients undergo. It is disappointing to see ‘bad Botox’ jobs, as those effects are down to the person who administered the injections, not the injections themselves.
The key to good results is a measured approach. The rule should always be ‘less is more’ and properly treating one area can have a positive impact on the whole face. Going to a medical practitioner you trust means you know you will be happy with the results, and can feel secure about returning for any top-up treatments in the future.
If you are considering choosing Botox to fight the signs of ageing, I can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about Botox as a step towards facial rejuvenation by downloading my Ten Year Beauty Plan eBook below:
There was an important anniversary in non-surgical cosmetic treatments earlier this year, but it may have passed you by: Botox celebrated its 15th birthday. I say important because over those 15 years, it has become a part of the mainstream medical, and cosmetic surgery world, helping people with a number of issues.
Of course, there is still a lot of misinformation and indeed myths out there about Botox – becoming so popular so quickly brought pros and cons. Now as the treatment reaches the midpoint of its teenage years, perhaps we should take a closer look at what it is, and what it can do to proactively fight the signs of ageing.
Firstly, Botox is a brand name of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Yes, it is a toxin, but is safe when the correct dosage is applied to the correct patient in the hands of well-trained and accredited healthcare professionals.
It is worth noting too, that the toxin is in fact much older than this birthday suggests. The 15th anniversary relates to its being approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - a benchmark of safety and quality - for the treatment of lines and wrinkles, which is perhaps what it is best known for today.
The toxin was actually first discovered back in the 1800s and in the 1950s its ability to temporarily paralyse muscles, thus reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, was revealed.
Now famous as a treatment for the signs of ageing, people can still be surprised that the botulinum toxin, or Botox, has many uses. It can be used to treat excessive sweating and migraines, as well as certain eye and muscle disorders. It can be very effective in relation to these conditions, but of course it is most well-known as a temporary treatment for lines and wrinkles.
Since 2002, Botox has become synonymous with non-surgical, anti-ageing treatments. Its ability to temporarily relax the muscles in targeted areas means it can soften out the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles in various parts of the face.
Results, which can be seen after ten to 14 days, can last for months and can be quite significant. In Ireland, the use of Botox is heavily regulated, as it is legally a drug, and can only be administered by a medically trained professional.
This is vital for the patient, so I would say from the start that if you are considering having any sort of Botox treatment, or other injectables such as dermal fillers, make sure the practitioner you go to is properly and adequately qualified and experienced. You are dealing with your appearance and health here, so make sure you are getting the best from the best.
As Botox increased in popularity, one downside was that there an increasing number of people who overdid it, particularly noticeable in celebrity circles. We have all seen the results: an unappealing, frozen appearance.
However, in recent years there has been a more measured approach to using Botox, by both patients and practitioners. It has undoubtedly stepped into the mainstream and can be a great middle ground for someone who is concerned about tackling certain signs of ageing, but who is not ready to embark on any sort of surgery.
Today, people are much more open and vocal about having treatment with Botox, and this has coincided with much better results too. Speaking for myself, I have always championed natural- looking results for any cosmetic treatment my patients undergo. It is disappointing to see ‘bad Botox’ jobs, as those effects are down to the person who administered the injections, not the injections themselves.
The key to good results is a measured approach. The rule should always be ‘less is more’ and properly treating one area can have a positive impact on the whole face. Going to a medical practitioner you trust means you know you will be happy with the results, and can feel secure about returning for any top-up treatments in the future.
If you are considering choosing Botox to fight the signs of ageing, I can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about Botox as a step towards facial rejuvenation by downloading my Ten Year Beauty Plan eBook below: