10 April 2013

WELCOME TO OUR APRIL NEWSLETTER -BOTULINUM TOXIN-

WELCOME TO OUR APRIL NEWSLETTER -BOTULINUM TOXIN-

This month in our newsletter, we want to give you some valuable information about Botulinum toxin injections. It is the most popular non-surgical procedure at our Medi-sculpt practices and in the world because it is quick, safe and gives beautiful, predictable results.

What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein used in cosmetic medicine made famous by treating moderate to severe brow furrows or glabellar lines. Originally Botulinum toxin was used to control blinking, lazy eyes, and only more recently wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscle.

Unlike dermal fillers that treat deep wrinkles, Botulinum toxin can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face, especially the brow area and the “crow’s feet” around the eyes.

What do we use it for at Medi-sculpt?  

With Botulinum toxin we can:

  • Reduce wrinkles
  • Reshape eyebrows
  • Reshape lips
  • Treat excessive sweating
  • Reshape the nose

The most common area of treatment is frown lines of the forehead. But Botulinum toxin may also be used to treat numerous areas including:

  • Smokers lines
  • Crow’s feet
  • Nasal reshaping
  • Excessive sweating
  • Migraines

The list is continually growing and we will continue to study new techniques and applications to keep you at the forefront of modern aesthetic medicine.

At our Medi-sculpt offices, we often combine Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. Sometimes this is called a liquid facelift. The two products work incredibly well together to mimic facelift results.

What will happen during your Botox session?  

Before a Botulinum toxin injection, Dr Reddy or Dr Bhikha will ask you to contract the facial muscles (by frowning and squinting) that affect the area to be treated. This will help your them determine the best location for the injection and the units to be injected.

There is lots to said for technique and experience in in non-surgical aesthetics market, and it pays to work with the best.

Your Botulinum toxin injection will be made with an ultra-fine needle. Injection time is generally less than 15 minutes, especially as a returning patient. The number of injections needed depends on the type and location of your wrinkles to be treated.

Here is how Dr Reddy or Dr Bhikha will proceed for your Botulinum toxin treatment:

  • Botulinum toxin powder will be mixed with saline and use a very fine needle to inject the toxin into the muscle.
  • We will pre-discuss the total units of Botulinum toxin to be injected and the result we are trying to achieve.

It sounds so simple, but the technique and anatomy make the injections a very precise procedure.

Most of our patients report only mild discomfort during both Botulinum toxin and Dermal Filler treatments, but Dr Reddy or Dr Bhikha can use dental blocks or topical anaesthetic creams to aid in pain relief if necessary.

What to expect afterwards?

It takes approximately 3-5 days for the Botulinum toxin to reach full effect and show your final result and total muscle to relaxation. For people with very deep wrinkles it may take longer for the skin to “iron” out.

Although the results are easily visible, a Botulinum toxin treatment at Medi-Sculpt will not radically change your appearance or make you look as if you “had work done.” The muscle activity that causes wrinkles is simply reduced.

There is no recovery period and no down-time after a Botulinum toxin treatment. You can go directly back to your normal activities, which is so convenient for you to squeeze an appointment in your busy schedule!

The Botulinum toxin will wear off in an estimated four months, and returning patients can be in and out within minutes. Great news to maintain the younger looking you.

Expect each Botulinum toxin treatment to last approximately 4 months and it takes about 15 minutes to complete the procedure. If it is your first time getting Botulinum toxin, it might take a little longer because Dr Reddy or Dr Bhikha will need to examine and explain as much as possible for you to feel safe and comfortable.
Remember that if you want to book an appointment, Medi-Sculpt™ is conveniently located in offices situated in spas in Fourways, Rosebank, Ruimsig and Pretoria.

All the Medi-Sculpt™ clinics are easily accessible from most major highways in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

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