CHE Hair & Day Spa

Botox is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. Its a simple non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent facial lines that develop over time. One ten minute treatment - a few tiny injections - relaxes the muscles between your brows that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for four months.

The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of people rated the improvement in their frown lines as moderate or better. For many, Botox temporarily erases these lines.

Botox is the only botulinum toxin in the world registered for the treatment of frown lines and approved by the US FDA. It has been widely tested with 12 years of safe and effective use in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide for various medical uses.

Botox is not magic. It's a medicine. Botox is a highly purified protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way that penicillin comes from a mould.

Botox will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you've had a facelift. It will not make you look twenty years younger. It will not "freeze" your facial expressions. It softens them and works where you want it to. It does not travel throughout the body and does not remain in your body indefinitely.

Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions. Botox relaxes the tiny facial muscles that cause expression lines, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming.

Botox works on the specific areas treated. Other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained. It will not "freeze" your facial expressions. It softens them and works where you want it to.

Your doctor will determine exactly where to use Botox to achieve the best results. No anaesthetic is required, although your doctor may use ice before injecting. Treatment takes around 10 minutes.

A tiny amount of Botox is placed in selected facial muscles via tiny injections using a very fine needle. Discomfort is minimal and brief - most patients describe it as an ant bite sting for a few seconds. Most people resume normal activities immediately. After injection, it takes 2-3 days for Botox to begin taking effect and around 7 days to see the full effect.

Botox lasts for up to four months, depending on the inidividual. You can decide to repeat the procedure as you wish. The results will wear off gradually and expression lines slowly return. To maintain the effect you will require repeat injections 2-3 times a year. Studies show that with repeat Botox treatment, the effect can last longer so you may require less frequent treatment in the future to maintain the result you have come to like.

In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects are temporary and localised to the area of injection. These include soreness or mild bruising, which can be easily covered with makeup, headache and less commonly, you may develop a heavy eyelid lasting 1-4 weeks which your doctor may be able to treat. There have been no permanent side effects of Botox reported.

Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for patients with a neuromuscular disease.

Where can it be used?
In Australia and New Zealand Botox is registered for use in frown lines which appear between the eyebrows and on your forehead. This is the most common area for treatment. On occasion, your doctor may treat other areas as well.

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?
No. Your lines will gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance. This may take 6 to 12 months.

Is Botox a common cosmetic procedure?
Botox was the number one cosmetic procedue in 2001 according to the American Society for Aestentic Plastic Surgery. In the United States 1.6 million Botox procedures were recorded in 2001, making it the most popular option amongst all cosmetic procedures.

Is it suitable for men?
Botox is equally effective on men and women. Over 220,000 Botox procedures were performed on men in the United States in 2001, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men. Because it is effective for frown lines which may be caused by stress, it is popular with many businessmen to leave them looking more refreshed and approachable.

Is Botox expensive?
When considering your facial enhancement options, Botox is quite affordable. Many people are surprised at the relative cost compared to other appearance related investments such as facials, hair colouring and wrinkle creams. As one patient in Australia reported: "Botox is surprisingly affordable - around the same as three facials or a few visits to the hair colourist".