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one of the most cosmetic<\/a> treatments<\/a> in the world and one of the most . It\u2019s most famous for the lines that movement<\/a> carves into the face but it has a long list of uses too. What it is not is a for good skincare<\/a> and is not a substitute<\/a> for it. The two do jobs. Botox the that pull the skin into dynamic<\/a> lines, whilst the right improve<\/a> the quality, and ageing of the skin itself. This guide explains<\/a> what Botox is, how it works and what it treats ( Botox for the jaw). It also covers UK and regulations, it is safe and what alternatives<\/a> exist.<\/p>\n Please note, we are an online skin and hair clinic, so we do not offer Botox. We used to provide<\/a> it at our former physical<\/a> clinic, but we now exclusively<\/a> offer the skincare<\/a> treatments<\/a> that work it.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n First of all, is the most famous and original<\/a> brand of botulinum<\/a> toxin type A. This is a purified<\/a> that the produces<\/a> in nature. In large amounts<\/a> the toxin is but in the tiny, controlled<\/a> doses used in medicine, it is a safe and precise<\/a> muscle . Botox is a trade name but because<\/a> it was the original<\/a> form and due to extensive<\/a> brand awareness, it has also become synonymous<\/a> with all toxin type A treatments<\/a>. However, there are several<\/a> other brands that the same class of toxin, including<\/a> Dysport, Azzalure, Bocouture<\/a> and Xeomin. In the UK they are medicines, so only a qualified<\/a> medical<\/a> professional<\/a> can and inject them.<\/p>\n Botox was originally<\/a> a medical<\/a> treatment<\/a> and discovery<\/a> of its cosmetic<\/a> use was quite by accident<\/a>. In the late 1980s, an an condition<\/a> noticed<\/a> that her patients\u2019 frown lines softened<\/a>. and regulators<\/a> Botox for frown lines in 2002. It has since become the most widely used of its kind.<\/p>\n The main way Botox works is by blocking<\/a> the chemical<\/a> signal nerves and muscles<\/a>. On into a muscle, it which is the that tells the muscle to . As a result, the muscle and the skin over it stops creasing<\/a>. The effect is neither permanent<\/a> nor immediate. It as the nerve endings<\/a> . That\u2019s why the needs .<\/p>\n This mechanism<\/a> both what Botox can and cannot do. Despite its popularity<\/a> and effectiveness, it\u2019s worth being realistic<\/a> about the results. It\u2019s excellent<\/a> at softening<\/a> dynamic<\/a> lines which are the caused by muscle movement<\/a> like and . Lines already etched into still skin respond<\/a> far less well, because the problem there is the skin, not the muscle. Because it doesn\u2019t address<\/a> the of the skin itself, it can\u2019t improve<\/a> texture, thinning, tone or sun damage. Those concerns<\/a> are the job of skincare<\/a> and other treatments<\/a> rather than Botox, which is why the best results often the two.<\/p>\n Botox has a wide range of uses and they broadly<\/a> fall into two groups. Cosmetic<\/a> and of course medical<\/a>. The uses soften the lines of facial expression<\/a> and refine the lower face and neck. The main cosmetic<\/a> uses of Botox are:<\/p>\n Beyond the cosmetic<\/a> uses, Botox is also a well-established<\/a> medical<\/a> for a number of medical<\/a> . The main uses of Botox for medical<\/a> include:<\/p>\n Botox treats the large muscle at the angle of the jaw. It has two quite different uses, and it helps to separate<\/a> them. The benefits<\/a> of masseter<\/a> Botox are:<\/p>\n Botox is a medicine<\/a> in the UK, but that doesn\u2019t mean every use of it is licensed<\/a>. It helps to understand<\/a> the three ways a medicine<\/a> can be used, because they\u2019re easily . A is one the medicine<\/a> has been tested and approved<\/a> for, the exact condition, dose and area. An off-label<\/a> use is when that same licensed<\/a> is used outside those approved<\/a> terms, such as on a different area of the face or for a different . An unlicensed<\/a> medicine<\/a> is different again. It is a with no UK marketing<\/a> authorisation<\/a> at all, such as or made . and is legal and very common across medicine<\/a> if a doctor deems it appropriate based on their clinical<\/a> judgement<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the cosmetic<\/a> side, the licensed<\/a> uses are surprisingly<\/a> narrow. The frown lines between the brows and the crow\u2019s feet (lines around the eyes) are the long-standing<\/a> use. However, many of the most popular<\/a> uses of Botox are off-label, (jaw) slimming, neck bands, a lip flip and a gummy smile. This doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re unsafe or improper<\/a>. It simply means they sit outside the formal and rely on the skill and of the .<\/p>\n The uses are different again. Several, including<\/a> chronic<\/a> migraine<\/a> and severe sweating, are licensed<\/a> indications<\/a> for Botox injections<\/a>. The NHS funds these treatments<\/a> for people who meet the . Masseter<\/a> Botox for teeth grinding, by contrast, is an off-label<\/a> use and only available. What you should be wary of is an unlicensed<\/a> toxin product<\/a> with no UK authorisation<\/a> because there\u2019s no real for them when so many brands of toxin type A have UK authorisation<\/a>. There\u2019s also sadly an issue with counterfeit<\/a> Botox products<\/a>. It\u2019s worth with your practitioner<\/a> both which brand they use and the status of your treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Botox and are often confused, but they do opposite<\/a> things. Botox relaxes<\/a> muscles<\/a> to soften lines caused by movement<\/a>. are gels (usually hyaluronic<\/a> acid) that add volume. They plump hollows, restore<\/a> lost or define a feature<\/a> like the lips or cheeks. In short, Botox softens<\/a> movement<\/a> whilst or add volume. Both are and are frequently<\/a> used together, because they different signs of ageing.<\/p>\n should always start with a with the medical<\/a> who will also the procedure<\/a>. A good your face, your goals and checks that the treatment<\/a> is suitable<\/a> for you. The themselves are quick. A very fine needle delivers<\/a> small amounts<\/a> of toxin into the muscles<\/a>. The whole usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, and most people describe only a brief sting. There\u2019s no real downtime, so you can return to your day, though there is some aftercare<\/a> to follow.<\/p>\n For the first few hours afterwards, the usual advice is to stay upright<\/a> and avoid or massaging<\/a> the treated<\/a> area. You should also skip strenuous<\/a> exercise, saunas and very hot for the rest of the day. This the small risk of the toxin beyond the intended<\/a> muscle. The effect gradually<\/a> over the following days, so you won\u2019t walk out looking different. A (sometimes marketed<\/a> as ) uses smaller amounts<\/a> for a more subtle, less frozen result, and it has become . Whatever the dose, results last 3 to 4 months before you need a repeat treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a adult treated<\/a> by a qualified<\/a> practitioner, Botox has a long track record of safety. Most side are mild, temporary<\/a> and related to the or to the toxin spreading<\/a> slightly beyond the target. They tend to settle on their own. However, there are possible risks that you should discuss<\/a> with your practitioner<\/a> which include:<\/p>\n Some people should not have Botox. It\u2019s . People with certain neuromuscular<\/a> conditions<\/a> (such as gravis), an to the product<\/a> or an active infection<\/a> at the site should also avoid it. The single safety factor, though, is who it. Choosing<\/a> an experienced, qualified<\/a> reduces<\/a> the risk of a poor or unsafe result.<\/p>\n Botox treats muscle movement<\/a> rather than the skin itself, so a good daily skincare<\/a> routine<\/a> does the part Botox can\u2019t. The two are complementary<\/a> rather than competing<\/a>. The most is to relax the dynamic<\/a> lines with Botox if you choose to, whilst the skin\u2019s quality, and static lines with proven topicals<\/a>. and other are the anti-ageing<\/a> ingredients<\/a>. C, and daily and protect<\/a> those results. A consistent<\/a> keeps the skin between treatments, and it does more for long-term<\/a> ageing than Botox alone. There are also a number of professional<\/a> treatments<\/a> like , and which can improve<\/a> the quality<\/a> of the skin and address<\/a> issues like thinning, and laxity.<\/p>\n Honestly, nothing exactly what Botox does, because nothing else safely relaxes<\/a> a muscle. What the alternatives<\/a> can do is the of the skin around the lines, which softens<\/a> the overall look. The right option on your goal:<\/p>\n In short, a night guard protects<\/a> the teeth, buccal massage<\/a> may relieve<\/a> tension<\/a> and good improves<\/a> the skin, but only Botox actually the muscle. The honest is to match the to what you are trying to .<\/p>\n Botox is a prescription-only<\/a> medicine<\/a>. Only a qualified<\/a> professional<\/a> can legally<\/a> prescribe<\/a> and inject it after a proper consultation<\/a>. Botox is widely available through and prices are usually per treatment<\/a> area. It isn\u2019t available on the NHS for reasons<\/a>. However, the NHS does prescribe<\/a> it for conditions<\/a> such as chronic<\/a> migraine<\/a> and severe hyperhidrosis<\/a>. <\/p>\n Since October 2021 it has also been . When choosing<\/a> a provider, the most important thing is that they are regulated, medically<\/a> and insured<\/a>. This usually means a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist<\/a> . The skill of the both the result and the safety. It\u2019s also worth remembering<\/a> that Botox only treats one part of facial ageing. The of your skin (its texture, tone, fine lines and sun damage) comes down to what you use on it every day with effective<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n At City Skin Clinic, we\u2019re an online clinic, so we don\u2019t offer Botox. What we do is bespoke<\/a> using ingredients<\/a> like , and where appropriate. Our design a plan entirely around your skin, which is the part Botox can\u2019t treat. Read more about our custom and . The towards great skin .<\/p>\n\n This article<\/a> is for general information only and is not a for advice, or treatment<\/a>. Botox is a and should only be prescribed<\/a> and administered<\/a> by a suitably<\/a> qualified<\/a> after an assessment<\/a>. Always consult<\/a> a medical<\/a> about your options<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat is Botox?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How Does Botox Work?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What Does Botox Treat?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What is Masseter Botox?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Is Botox Licensed in the UK?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the Difference Between Botox & Fillers?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What Does Botox Treatment Involve?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Is Botox Safe?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What Works Best with Botox?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What Are the Alternatives to Botox?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How to Get Botox in the UK<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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