Dysport®/Botox®
Botulinum toxin type A (Dysport®/Botox®) is a substance that is produced by a bacteria; it is then
highly refined, purified and diluted and used in therapeutic doses. Botulinum is administered by
injecting into a specific facial muscle where it acts as a muscle relaxant.
Anyone can benefit from botulinum toxin, both men and women.
Botulinum is most effective in improving lines or wrinkles due to facial expressions; for example
worry lines or frown-lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows. This is because these lines
are most usually caused by overactive muscles and botulinum stops these muscles from contracting
and causing the wrinkles.
In most cases the treatment will take between 10 and 20 minutes. Very tiny needles are used to
inject the medication and only small amounts are used. As a result any discomfort is usually minimal
and short-lived. Approximately two weeks after this first treatment, the effects will be reviewed with
your practitioner and any further treatments or top-ups can be discussed.
Some people ask if the effects of this treatment look artificial. Unlike some surgical facelifts, this kind
of treatment is very specific and works on only those muscles that are involved in producing the facial
lines that you want to soften. Other muscles are unaffected and this means that your usual facial
expressions will be the same.
Initially the improvement that you will receive from this treatment will last from 3 to 4 months.
You will notice a gradual fading of effect and at this stage you can return for another treatment
if you want to. With repeated treatments, the effect lasts longer.
