FAQ

Botox

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 Skin Plumpers / Dermal Fillers

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Skin Care

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Botox

Can Botox work on any wrinkles?

No – Botox can only work on wrinkles caused by muscle contractions. It won’t work on the lines that are visible at rest (static lines). These lines are best treated with a dermal filler such as collagen. The most popular areas to be treated with Botox are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the crow's feet around the eyes and the horizontal lines across the forehead.

I have heard it is a toxin – how safe is it?

Botox is a diluted form of botulinum toxin type A. It is a purified protein manufactured in a pharmaceutical laboratory. Botox has been used medically for over 25 years to treat a variety of medical conditions and has a long established and well-documented safety history. For cosmetic treatments very small amounts of Botox are used.

What are the side effects?

Although rare, side effects may include minor and temporary redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site and very rarely laziness of an eyelid or mild double vision. These effects are temporary and resolve spontaneously in one to two weeks.

Does it hurt?

Discomfort is generally minimal. Most patients describe the sensation as feeling like a bee sting for a few seconds.

Can I go straight back to work – will people be able to tell?

Most normal activities can be resumed immediately. As Botox takes on average three to five days to work you will be able to return to work with nobody noticing. If there is any treatment response such as a small amount of redness in the area we will apply a mineral make-up prior to you leaving.

You see people who have lost their expression, why would I want to risk that?

Botox works specifically on the muscles injected, relaxing them to create a smoother appearance. It does not work on any surrounding untreated areas. The only expression that will be effected is in the area you are concerned with such as the frown lines. By ensuring your treatment is administered by a Botox specialist, who will determine the best dose for you and which muscles to treat, you will achieve the result you are expecting.

Botox treatments are very expensive and are not permanent. If I stop having Botox will I be worse than before?

Many people are surprised at the relative cost of Botox treatments compared with other appearance related investments such as facials, hair colouring and anti-ageing creams. If treatments are stopped the expression will return, but it will not be any worse than before you started treatments. The lack of repetitive contraction of your muscles can mean your muscles have become less powerful so many people find results last longer with ongoing treatments.

What does the actual treatment involve?

A small amount of Botox is injected into the selected facial muscles using a very fine needle. Ice is used before and after to reduce any discomfort. A treatment of frown lines requires on average five injections and takes 15 to 30minutes

Is it true that Botox can be used to prevent lines and wrinkles?

Absolutely. As Botox relaxes the wrinkle causing muscles it prevents the recurrent skin creasing that, over time, creates permanently etched lines. Therefore it is a good preventative treatment.

Can I have a treatment when I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

No, Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as is the case with most non-essential medications.

Can I get botulism or food poisoning from Botox?

Definitely not. Although it is extracted from the bacteria clostridium botulinum (in a similar way that penicillin is extracted from a mould), it is a highly purified protein and it is impossible to get food poisoning or botulism infection.

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Skin Plumpers / Dermal Fillers

There are so many different products available today such as collagen, restylane and Hylaform. How do I know which one is best for me?

It is great to have a selection of products available but it can be confusing. A consultation with your injecting specialist will provide you with in-depth information on the various products and a recommendation as to which will offer you the best results. For example, a hyaluronic acid filler such as restylane or Hylaform is great to add volume to an area such as lips, or the folds from the nose to the corners of mouth, whereas etched lines, such as the vertical upper lines, may improve better with a collagen product.

With the semi permanent fillers, which product lasts the longest? Are there permanent ones available?

How long a product lasts in the skin varies from person to person. You may find a collagen product lasts longer for you whereas someone else may find a hyaluronic acid filler lasts longer. Remember longevity is only one consideration with product selection; you need to ensure you get the best result and safety is paramount. Some “permanent” fillers may mean permanent problems.

I have a thin top lip and would love to have a treatment to plump my lips, however I am put off by the thought of how painful it must be …

The upper lip is a very sensitive area. I recommend an anaesthetic injection similar to when you go to the dentist. Following that you will not feel the procedure.

What about if treating other lines such as the crows feet?

Several products contain local anaesthetic and ice is all that is required before and during treatment. If you require further anaesthetic a topical anaesthetic cream can be applied 1/2 hour before the treatment. People report treatments as very tolerable and much better than they imagined.

Is it expensive?

All dermal fillers come in different volumes, therefore treatments can be tailored to suit individual requirements including budget. Treatment prices reflect the number of areas treated and how much product is required. For example, fine lines around the eyes or the upper lips may be as little as $260.

Can I have a treatment on the day of my consultation or do I require an allergy test?

You only require a skin allergy test for bovine collagen. There are products available that do not require a test so treatment can be performed immediately.

Can I use a combination of different products or do I have to stick with the same one?

Some products can be combined and that often that gives a better result. For example, a hyaluronic acid filler to the lips with a collagen product to the fine lines around the lips. Dermal fillers can also be use in combination with other treatments such as Botox.

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Skin Care

To get a noticeable improvement in my skin, can I just use products at home or is it recommended to have some in-office clinical treatments, such as glycolic peels?

If using medically based skin care products regular use of your recommended products will improve the tone and texture of your skin, appearance of fine lines and reduce acne conditions, as well as protect the skin from future damage. In-office peel treatments will greatly accelerate your results and “jump start” your skin care programme.

My friend has bad acne, but her skin is improving with a new skin care programme. I get occasional breakouts – can I use her products?

Although the same basic process is involved in both skin types treatment recommendations can vary. Products to treat acne usually contain more active ingredients that can cause skin irritation for some skin types, particularly if used incorrectly. Many acne treatments are prescription-only preparations, so sharing is definitely not recommended. A skin evaluation will determine for you how best to treat your breakouts and, more importantly, prevent them from recurring.

I wear an SPF 15 sunscreen every day, so why do I still get a tan and why do my age spots get worse.

The SPF rating of a sunscreen can be misleading. It should be considered as the sunburn protection factor not the sun protection factor. It is an indication of how long you can be in the sun before burning. If you usually burn in 10 minutes without protection, with correct application of an SPF 15 your burn time will be 15 times your normal burn time ie 150 minutes. Although offering protection against the burning UV rays, your particular sunscreen may not be offering enough protection against the UVA tanning and ageing rays.

What are the most important things I should look for in a sunscreen?

The SPF rating is a good indicator of burn time, however it is important to check the actual ingredients. I recommend looking for a product containing titanium dioxide or Zinc oxide as these offer the best protection. For the face you may also need to consider factors such as your skin type. For example if you have an oily skin or are prone to acne select an oil free product. It is important to remember there is no product that provides total sun protection, so sun-safe behaviour along with correct application of your sunscreen is the best combination.

I have heard that zinc is the best ingredient in a sunscreen, but isn’t zinc thick and white and hard to rub in?

Traditionally yes, but these days preparations can contain ingredients such as z-cote which is transparent zinc oxide. These products are easy to apply and don’t leave a thick white film on the face.

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