• BT is virtually painlessly injected with very fine needles into target muscles or sweat gland - containing skin. It works by temporarily disconnecting them from the nerves that convey the electrical impulse instructions from the brain. The Acetyl-choline containing vesicles (packages) in the nerve endings can no longer offload this chemical link in the communication chain. The muscles are weakened or paralysed and the sweat glands no longer secrete sweat.

• The effect is temporary. The nerve endings spontaneously and completely “reconnect” after approximately 4 months. This “reconnect” time varies among different individuals, ranging from 3 to 6 months or more. Importantly “reconnection” occurs after every BT administration so the effect is never permanent. This is a good thing as our faces do change over time so an initially permanent attractive effect could eventually look undesirable. In the individual patient, repeated administration can sometimes allow for lower and slightly less frequent dosing which can decrease cost.

BT use in aesthetic (cosmetic/appearance) medicine

Excessive activity of certain muscles of facial expression or sweat glands can lead to the following undesirable effects:-

• Dynamic facial wrinkles (like Frown or Smile Lines). ” Dynamic” indicates that these wrinkles/lines /furrows appear when the muscles contract but disappear when they relax. This contraction is often subconscious so you may tend to frown even when not feeling anxious or angry despite what observers may say and think. Skilled BT administration can soften or prevent such undesirable wrinkling without producing an unnatural “frozen” appearance.

• Imprinting of Wrinkles/Lines/Furrows. Ongoing excessive muscle activity over many years can cause dynamic wrinkles to become permanently imprinted so that complete muscle relaxation can no longer make them disappear. This commonly occurs on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth. Regular Botoxing from a relatively young age can safely prevent this progression. Once it is present additional treatments can be added to alleviate the problem.

• Unattractive positions and profiles of important facial features. Dull drooping eyebrows, a sad or stern mouth, gummy smile or flattened “popply” chin are caused by subconscious over activity of certain facial muscles of expression as we age. Skilled BT application to the culprit muscles can achieve subtle but attractive repositioning and profiling without paralyzing natural movement.
  

• Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) of axillae (armpits) or face results from nerve impulse traffic from the central nervous system to the sweat glands in the skin. Skilled BT injection of that skin blocks the culprit nerve endings, effectively and safely treating the problem for up to 6 months.

BT use in Neurology

Certain conditions (like Cerebral Palsy, Spinal cord injuries, Dystonias) lead to excessive nerve stimulation of muscles that cause disabling spasticity and abnormal posturing like facial grimacing and wry neck. BT blockade of this excessive impulse traffic allows these muscles to relax. BT injections are a fully accepted part of modern neurological treatment but are not available at our clinic. Please consult a neurologist.


Why is it called a “Toxin” ?

• Many highly useful modern medicines are toxic and dangerous if administered in the wrong doses to inappropriate patients. Examples include household medicines like Aspirin, Paracetamol and even Vitamin A. Digitoxin is a valuable heart medication that must be carefully dosed.

• Botulinum Toxin was first recognized as a lethal poison when ingested in massive amounts in bacterially contaminated food. It has been subsequently extracted, purified and intensively studied. When administered correctly to the right targets at the right doses to an appropriate patient BT is very safe. Incorrect administration by a poorly trained inexperienced doctor (or even worse, by someone who is not a registered qualified doctor), will predictably lead to undesirable and even dangerous effects lasting for several months.

Contact us to arrange a consultation or if you'd like to find out more about this procedure.

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