About Cosmetic Surgery

BOTOX

What is Botulinum Toxin?
Botox ® is a naturally occurring agent which, when refined in minute quantities, can act to temporarily weaken a muscle. The agent is manufactured under various trade names, the most well known of which is Botox ®.

What can it be used for?
o Glabellar lines
o Forehead ( age lines and sleep lines)
o Crow’s feet
o Bunny lines
o Smoker line
o Gummy smile
o Dimpled chin
o Neck folds
In addition to the facial aesthetic use of Botolinum it can also used in hyperhydrosis Treatment (Excessive sweating). The same method of action applies to the sweat gland, Botolinum will reduce or stop all together the nerve stimulation to the sweat gland which will eventually result is less or no sweating.

How does it work?
Botulinum Toxin can be injected into selected muscles of the face. This acts to weaken these specific muscles allowing the overlying skin to relax. This leads to a reduction in existing wrinkles and can also prevent the formation of wrinkles in the future.

How long do the effects last?
The effects of these injections normally last several months. Typically the injections take 3 to 5 days to take effect, and the effects are at their most noticeable after 2 weeks. After a few months the effects begin to wear off. With repeated treatments there can be some permanent benefit in some individuals.

Is it safe?
Millions of treatments with these agents have been administered worldwide. The main side effects include bruising or swelling, but these effects are seldom significant. No long term problems have been encountered using these agents.

Dermal Fillers

What are fillers?
Modern facial fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance already found in our skin. By careful injection under the skin, fillers act to flatten skin creases, making them less noticeable. This gives the face a more youthful, refreshed appearance. By adding volume to the skin fillers can directly address some of the effects of aging, where the skin inevitably becomes thinner.

Lip enhancement
One of the commonest uses of fillers is for lip enhancement. Modern fillers can be injected along the edge or vermillion of the lip and into the lip itself to create a fuller, luscious appearance. These treatments using hyaluronic acid fillers are very safe and effective.

What else can it be used for?
o Malar smile line
o Infra orbital hollow ( hollow under the eye)
o Nasojugal fold ( tear trough)
o Nasolabial folds
o Smoker’s lines
o Marionette lines
o Lips definition and enhancement
o Chin enhancement

How long do the effects last?
The effects of fillers are seen soon after injection. The duration tends to be between 6 to 12 months, depending on the agent used and the individual response.

Is it safe?
Fillers have been widely used for many years with very few problems encountered. Agents made of hyaluronic acid have a low risk of bad reactions or allergies as this is a natural substance already found in skin. Side effects do include swelling or bruising at the site of injection, although these problems are usually short lived.

What fillers do we use?
Our doctor uses Juvederm ® ULTRA fillers which are a range of smooth cosistency gels. Unlike other fillers Juvederm ® ULTRA is not granular which means that it is able to flow easily into the skin, giving a smooth and natural appearance.
Juvederm ® ULTRA contains a local anaesthetic, Lidocaine, which helps make the treatment process comfortable.
You can find more information here at the Juvederm ® ULTRA website.