1. Botox is injected into the desired muscle.
  2. The Botox blocks the signal from the nerves that make the muscle to move.
  3. As the muscle can no longer move, this causes the wrinkles to soften and helps to stop new wrinkles from forming.
  4. You may notice the results from your Botox injections with a few days but it can take more than two weeks for the full effect to be seen.

On this page you can find out more about:

What is Botox?

Botox is short for Botulinum Toxin. It’s a neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium Botulin bacteria; an organism found in the natural environment.

The word ‘Botox’ is the brand name of injectable Botulinum Toxin produced by the manufacturer Allergan.

What are Botox injections used for?

Botox injections are used in two ways:

  • Cosmetic–to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and/or to contour areas of the face such as the chin and jaw.
  • Medical–to treat a range of conditions including migraines, excessive sweating and an overactive bladder.

Botox for cosmetic and medical conditions is available at the Health & Aesthetics in Surrey, contact our skilled, knowledgably and friendly team here to find out more.

What does Botox treatment involve?

  1. You will have an in depth consultation with your practitioner before having Botox treatment. During the consultation you will find out more about what Botox is, what it does and what results you can expect. A consultation is also the ideal opportunity for you to assess whether the practitioner is right for you.

You can find more information with our guides:

Why is choosing an experienced practitioner so important?

There are 43 minute muscles in the face and an experienced practitioner will pinpoint and treat the exact ones that are causing your wrinkles.

  1. Your practitioner will advise you on which areas of the face are best treated with Botox, and may suggest alternative or complementary treatments, such as chemical peels or dermal fillers, depending on which areas of the face you wish to treat.
  2. During the procedure, which usually takes around 20 minutes, your practitioner will inject Botox into the selected muscles. Some muscles will require multiple injections during one session.
  3. Botox injections require no downtime, so you’ll be able to return to your usual activities straightaway. However, we recommended waiting at least seven days before having facials, microdermabrasion or peels. You’ll be given aftercare advice to ensure your treatment achieves the best results possible.
  4. You may notice the appearance of your wrinkles improves in as little as a few days, but it can take two weeks or more to see the full results.
  5. A reputable clinic will offer you a follow–up consultation. At Health & Aesthetics you will have a full follow up appointment 2-3 weeks after having your treatment. To find out more, contact the team here.

Botox for medical conditions

Botox has been proven to relieve the symptoms of a range of medical conditions. Currently, over 20 medical conditions have been identified as responsive to this treatment.

These include:

  • hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • chronic migraines
  • bowel/bladder disorders
  • bruxism (teeth grinding)

You can find out more about Botox for medical conditions here, or if you’re suffering from chronic migraines, find out how Botox could help to ease your migraine symptoms with our in depth guide here.

Benefits, side effects and limitations of Botox

Botox benefits

The key benefits of Botox are:

  • You will enjoy a more youthful appearance.
  • It can help prevent new wrinkles from forming.
  • It can be administered in different amounts. Smaller doses (also known as baby Botox or Botox sprinkles) will give you results that last a few weeks. A higher dosage can last around three months.
  • It could actually improve your mental health–studies have shown that Botox may help relieve symptoms of depression.

When used to treat medical conditions, Botox can relieve a number of long term issues, helping you regain your confidence and relieving your symptoms. Follow the link to find out more about Botox for medical conditions or contact the Health & Aesthetics here.

Side effects and limitations

There are a number of potential side effects and limitations to having Botox that can vary from person to person. During your consultation we will take every step to assess, consult and prepare you based on your individual requirements, however, there are some general ‘rules’ that may prevent you from having Botox.

These include:

  • if you’re pregnant
  • if you’re breastfeeding
  • if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox
  • if you have had a negative reaction to Botox in the past

If you have had a thorough consultation with an experience and qualified practitioner then it’s highly likely you will achieve your desired results from your Botox treatment.

However, individuals may have a genetic predisposition that can causes a mild reaction to the treatment.

Some potential side effects include:

  • local oedema (fluid build-up)
  • erythema (reddening of the skin) at the site of the injection
  • numbness
  • headache
  • mild nausea
  • flu-like symptoms
  • neck weakness

You can view a full list of side effects here.

Although the treatment are very effective, Botox does have some limitations:

  • It isn’t a permanent treatment for cosmetic or medical issues. Most patients require treatment every 12 weeks.
  • Although every care will be taken to ensure you achieve the optimum results, there’s no guarantee that Botox will help you achieve the results you want.
  • Botox can’t be used to treat all the signs of aging. For example, it isn’t an effective treatment for sagging eyelids. During your consultation, your practitioner may advise you of more appropriate treatments (such as dermal fillers) for areas that can’t be treated with Botox.
  • Your practitioner may want to begin with smaller doses before building it up accordingly, particularly if you’re new to the treatment.

Results of Botox

  • You can expect to see the optimum results of your treatment within two weeks. Some patients notice their wrinkles are reduced just a few days after having the procedure.
  • Results will last for around 12 weeks, you will need to have repeat treatments to maintain your results.
  • You can potentially increase how long the results of Botox last by avoiding smoking, excess alcohol and exposure to the sun or intense heat, as these can break down collagen faster.

Botox FAQs

Is Botox bad for your health?

Although the injections contain the same toxin that causes botulism (a potentially deadly form of food poisoning), the amount injected into the skin is so small that it’s safe to use both long and short term.

The best way to minimise any risks from the treatment is to only have Botox done with a qualified, experienced and reputable practitioner. You can find out more about how to find a credible Botox practitioner here.

Can you smile with Botox?

Yes, provided the injections have been administered correctly you will still be able to smile as normal after having Botox. The aim of good Botox is to leave patients looking refreshed and rejuvenated. If too much Botox is injected, or if it’s injected incorrectly, then this could leave your face looking ‘frozen’, which could restrict your ability to smile fully. Therefore, only ever have Botox done with an experienced and qualified practitioner at a reputable clinic.

How does baby Botox work and how long does it last?

Baby Botox (also known as Botox sprinkles) works in the same way as regular Botox, but smaller quantities of the solution are injected into each area. It’s used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in patients who have fine to moderate wrinkles.

Baby Botox lasts for around eight weeks, compared to 12 weeks for regular Botox.

Our in depth guide to baby Botox will tell you everything you need to know about the procedure.

How do Botox units work?

Botox volume is measured in units. Each syringe contains between 50 and 200 units. Guidelines from Allergan (the manufacturer of Botox), state how much Botox should be used to treat each area of the face.

Patients usually require around 20 units of Botox to treat forehead wrinkles. However, your practitioner will assess you on an individual bases to determine how many units of Botox are required. Often, patients can be treated with fewer than 20 units.

If you’re having Botox for the first time, your practitioner may give you a low dose to see how effective this is. They will then wait a few weeks before assessing whether you require further units to achieve the desired results.

Does Botox work quicker the second time?

No, it will take the same amount of time to work.

Does Botox work better the more you get it?

The muscles weaken and so the movement is not as strong, which means the effects appears to last longer. In essence, the muscle is being ‘re-trained’.

What is a good age to get Botox?

There is no optimum age to have Botox as everyone ages differently. Genetics and lifestyle play a huge part in how youthful someone looks. If an individual is in her late-twenties, is genetically prone to wrinkles and regularly smokes and sunbathes, then her skin is likely to look very different to someone in her late–- who has always looked after her skin.

There are no legal age limits for having Botox. However, most reputable practitioners would not treat individuals who are under 18. It’s extremely unlikely that anyone under the age of 25 would require Botox to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

You can read more about the best age to have Botox treatment here.

How much does Botox cost?

Prices start from £200 at Health & Aesthetics. Your treatment will be administered by Dr Rekha Tailor who has over 13 years’ experience in non-surgical cosmetic medicine.

Book Your Botox Treatment with Health & Aesthetics Today

Our professional, knowledgeable and friendly team are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about quick and painless Botox treatment with us in our Surrey–based clinic. Simply get in touch with us today by calling 01252 933 133 or book your Botox online now.

Dr Rekha Tailor

Dr Rekha Tailor

Dr. Rekha Tailor, founder and Medical Director of Health & Aesthetics, is an esteemed Medical Aesthetic Practitioner and General Practitioner, educated at Manchester Medical School. With a career spanning NHS hospitals and general practice, she shifted to full-time aesthetic medicine in 2005. Known for her natural results and gentle approach, she is a member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Her dedication to excellence is reflected in numerous awards, highlighting her clinic as a leader in aesthetic treatments​​.

More from Dr Rekha Tailor

About our Consultations

At Health & Aesthetics, we believe that the fundamental basis for a successful aesthetic procedure is an in-depth consultation with a skilled qualified practitioner to assess your needs and develop a bespoke personal treatment plan so that you achieve outstanding natural looking results. You can call us on 01252 933 133.

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