What is Botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxin type A is a naturally occurring bacterial protein. Tiny doses of this substance are injected just under the skin into the muscles that are treated to reduce wrinkles. It specifically blocks the nerve impulse, allowing these muscles responsible for the excessive contractions that cause wrinkles to relax.
How long will it take to see the results?
Azzalure® normally takes an average of 2 to 3 days to start working as seen in glabellar lines, although it may take a little longer for the full effects to be seen. The speed of action will depend on the strength of your facial muscles and your individual response to the injection. The severity of glabellar lines can be reduced for up to 5 months and in lateral canthal lines up to 3 months.
What to expect on the day of the treatment?
Prior to injecting, any make-up will be removed and the skin disinfected. Your practitioner will then study your facial muscles to see how they work, as individuals can differ. The injections should be painless, but a local anaesthetic cream can be used prior to treatment. The treatment session will last around 20 minutes and you can return to your usual daily activities immediately afterwards.
Are there any side effects?
Like all medicines, Azzalure® can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Any reactions are generally minimal, temporary, and typically relate to the injection itself. There may be slight discomfort as the needle enters the skin. There is also the possibility of bruising or bleeding at injection sites. It is also possible that you may get a headache.
The most common side effects of Azzalure® in the glabellar lines are headache and injection site reactions (e.g. redness, swelling, irritation, rash, itching, numbness, pain, discomfort, stinging, brushing and bleeding) and for lateral canthal lines; headache, injection site reactions and eyelid oedema. Normally these reactions are mild to moderate, reversible and occur in the first week after treatment. There is also a small possibility of slight drooping of the eyelid or visual problems.
What should I do after treatment?
· For at least 4 hours after treatment; keep upright, do not bend excessively
· For at least 12 hours after treatment; avoid extreme facial expressions, excessive alcohol consumption and wearing make up
· For 2 days after treatment; do not rub or massage the treated area, that might lead the injected solution spreading to nearby muscles
· For 2 weeks after treatment; avoid exposure to strong sunlight, very cold temperatures and saunas, do not have any beauty treatments on your face e.g. facials and facial massage.
At Burgate Dental Practice & Implant Centre; we provide non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments for the upper and lower face as well as the neck, please visit our website at; www.canterbury-dentist.co.uk to learn more, and book your consultation appointment, alternatively you can contact us via phone at; 01227 462857.