Anti-wrinkle Treatment Brighton | Best Skin Care Clinic Brighton

Botox® is one of the many trade names for botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin has been safely used in the medical profession for many years. Since the 1980's Botox® has been used successfully in the field of aesthetic/cosmetic medicine. In cosmetic procedures a small amount of diluted botulinum toxin enables deep controlled relaxation of muscles to smooth wrinkles and lines on the face. Botox® can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines over the upper part of the face such as the forehead, the glabella (frown lines between the eyes) and the lines around the outer corner of the eyes (crow's feet). Botox is also commonly injected around the mouth, lips, neck, jaw and eyelids.

Botulinum toxin is a chemical produced by the botulinum bacteria. Botox is a protein derivative of the toxin, which, when injected into a muscle, causes it to become weakened or inactivated. It stops the muscle from functioning by blocking neuromuscular transmission i.e. it stops the chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle.

The ageing process causes the slow down of collagen and elastin production in the skin so that as we get older, these areas of over-use become damaged and the lines become permanent. By reducing the movement of muscles in these areas, the skin stops being creased and is allowed to recover, causing the lines to soften or even fade away. In the areas treated, the muscles are temporarily inactivated, during which time the patient can break the subconscious habit of overusing these muscles. Depending on each individual and the dose used, the response to treatment can vary from a relaxation of the muscles to an inability to move the muscles.

For the first couple of years, frequent treatments are required to `re-educate' the facial muscles. Thereafter, treatments would be less frequent until a yearly maintenance treatment is normally all that is required.

Botox is a prescription-only medication and requires a face-to-face consultation with our nurse prescriber.