Omniya

Botox Basics: What Are The Side Effects Of Botox

22 February 2020 by Omniya Clinic

Introduction to Botox

If you are about to have Botox treatments for the first time, we know that some clients approach their first Botox appointment date with a little trepidation. You ought to know, potentially, what are the side effects of Botox, before you have your treatment.

With that in mind, we’re here to debunk the myths and mysteries surrounding the side effects of Botox, and we’ll also provide you with guidance on what to do in the unlikely event you suffer any side effects from Botox treatments. The guide below gives you an overview of the treatment, and answers questions such as ‘What are the advantages and disadvantages of Botox?’, or ‘how many different things can be treated with Botox?’, ‘How safe are facial Botox injections?’ and more. We will also discuss what to expect when you visit our clinic for a Botox treatment. This information aims to help you approach your Botox appointment with confidence. Haven’t made an appointment yet? Then get in touch to book – we can be reached on 020 7584 4777, or you can book online here. Otherwise, simply click the section below to have the answers to all your questions about the side effects of Botox.

What Is Botox Cosmetic Treatment?

Botox is made from the toxin that is created by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

At our clinic, we use Botox as a cosmetic treatment in small doses, primarily to improve the appearance. It works by temporarily smoothing out wrinkles in the face; in particular, the lines that appear between your eyebrows, often referred to as frown lines. These lines can make a person appear angry, unhappy or tired. Omniya Clinic uses Botox cosmetic treatments to help with the following:

Crow’s feet
Smoker’s lines around the lips
Forehead line which are horizontal
Facial acne
Marionette lines which appear at the corners of the mouth

If you’re wondering to what areas of the body can Botox injections be applied besides the face, then you may be surprised at some of its uses, which could include:

The neck – Botox neck injections could be used to stop muscle spasms
The breasts – Botox has also been known to provide a lifting effect to the breasts
The armpits – Botox injections could also be used to treat excess sweating

Botox treatment should not be confused with injectable fillers. These work in a different way and are used to plump up the tissue instead. Here at Omniya, our trained professionals will be able to give you the assistance you require to choose the treatment that is best suited to your particular needs.

What Are The Benefits of Botox Injections Or Botox Treatments?

In conjunction with discussing the side effects of Botox, we consider the primary benefits of Botox injections. Botox can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Botox is a simple non-surgical procedure that usually only require a patient to have a single treatment. The effects of Botox can be seen in just a few days and last for a number of months.

Is Botox A Permanent Treatment?

Both unfortunately and fortunately, depending on your stance on the matter, Botox is not a permanent treatment. You can expect the effects of your Botox treatment to last between three to four months. However, some factors may increase or decrease this timeframe, including:

Age – younger people have firmer muscles in the face and may see results lasting longer than older people who have less tone in the muscle
If you smoke
What you eat
How you look after your skin – for example, facials and popular forms of resurfacing could affect the longevity of your Botox results
The structure of your face and your expressions
Your exposure to the sun
How often you have Botox – some people find that repeated use produces longer-lasting results while others find the opposite

While Botox is not a permanent solution and most people will find that results vary, we recommend that you do not have the same procedure until a minimum period of three months has passed.

What Is It Like To Get Botox® Injections?

We are often asked: ‘Are Botox injections painful?’ The answer is; no more painful than any other type of injection. In fact, the needles used for Botox injections are very small, so you should suffer minimum discomfort. Botox injections are administered into the muscle, and the nerve impulses are blocked to the corresponding tissue. This causes a reduction in muscle activity, which reduces frown lines. Botox injections are dispensed in a simple and easy procedure which should take no longer than 10 minutes to perform. Your Botox appointment will be longer if an anaesthetic cream is required. You are not likely to see the effects of your Botox injection immediately following the procedure. However, within a couple of days, you should expect to see an improvement, with the maximum effect being achieved within 10-14 days.

Is Botox Dangerous?

Any medical procedure carries a risk, including Botox. However, if your Botox treatment is carried out by an experienced practitioner, then it should be relatively safe. There are, however, some groups of people who should not have Botox injections. These include:

Anyone with an allergy to the ingredients in Botox
Anyone with a skin infection on or around the injection area
Those with breathing issues such as asthma, or swallowing difficulties
Anyone who is planning to undergo surgery or has had surgery to the face
Those who are pregnant or trying to conceive
Anyone who is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

What Are The Side Effects Of Botox?

As it the case with any form of medication, including injectables, there is the chance that your immune system may develop a resistance to the Botox. Not only might this make the drug less effective, but, in some cases, it may even lead to an allergy to the drug developing.

Some of the inconvenient side effects of Botox could include:

Swelling, pain and/or bruising to the injection site
Bleeding and erythema (increased redness to the skin)
Headaches which should last no longer than 2-4 weeks.

Other reported side effects of Botox could include:

Dry mouth
Fatigue
Nausea and flu-like symptoms
Spreading of the Botox® beyond the injection site – a fully qualified practitioner will know exactly where to make the injections to avoid this type of unwanted side effect, which might include droopy eyelids if your injection site was in the forehead
Anxiety

Why does Botox cause anxiety?

You may have seen some media reports regarding the link between anxiety and Botox®. While some of the furore surrounding anxiety and Botox® is based on patients with mental health issues becoming anxious about their appearance after having Botox® wear off, other reports have pointed to the temporary reduction in movement of the muscles affecting the neural pathways. However, there have also been studies that have suggested that some forms of depression could be relieved by Botox.

If you suffer from any possible side effects of Botox injection, it would be advisable to speak to our knowledgeable team. Our practitioners have extensive knowledge and experience of the treatment you have received and can help you with any problems you might have.

How Common Are Botox Side Effects?

Whilst the list of side effects from Botox is quite long, most of them rarely occur, and there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of side effects. Omniya Clinic ensures you have a choice of highly trained and experienced practitioners performing Botox treatments. You must let us know if you have any health issues and are taking any medication. At Omniya Clinic, we give you plenty of advice before and after the treatment, and always ask patients to contact us if they do experience any side effects.

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