Thinking about Botox Treatments in Brighton and Hove? Here's what you absolutely need to know
It’s probably time we talked about the big B in the beauty and aesthetics industry. We are a skin and aesthetics business, heck, we offer Botox treatments in Brighton and Hove, so it’s about time we addressed the topic. Botox injections receive a lot of bad press but the reality is that it’s probably the most misunderstood treatment of them all. We’re here to discuss the benefits, risks and alternatives to Botulinum Toxin a.k.a Botox. There’s a lot to unpack here so you might want to make yourself a cuppa for this one!
Get your Botox Treatment From a Licenced and Trained Medical Professional
Let’s begin with the most important matter – patient safety.
Botox is a prescription-only medicine, which means it must be prescribed for the patient by a medical professional: a doctor, dentist, some pharmacists and some nurses. Unfortunately the legislation doesn’t go as far as to specify that a medical professional must administer the treatment as well. Safe to say, it’s a bit of a minefield out there.
So what should happen?
You should be having a face to face consultation with the prescriber before any treatment is carried out (not a beauty therapist or permanent make up artist and definitely not a hairdresser!). The Botulium toxin is then prescribed for you and obtained in the next day or two, after which your treatment appointment can be scheduled. The NHS has published some guidance on this as well – scroll down to the bit on ‘Advice on botulinum toxin injections (such as Botox)’.
The prescriber is the one who is responsible for your treatment and it is a legal requirement that they see you face to face. If you are being seen and treated on the day by a non-prescriber, it means these rules are not being followed. So, you need to ask the question: ‘What product am I having injected into my face?’
- It will NOT be a licensed Botulinum toxin brand that requires a prescription (e.g. Botox, Bocoutour, Azzalure)
- It is likely to be an unlicensed product that has been obtained online (what we call the Black Market) for which the safety profile is completely unknown. Online is a completely unvetted marketplace.
- No insurance company will cover any side-effects or related issues with such product – so you are not covered by the practitioner’s insurance!
In other words, run for your life!
We've Heard Some Botox Horror Stories
In the Noaem Skin Clinic we often hear stories about previous experiences of people that have come to us and also about friends of our clients. We have heard cases where individuals have gone from home to beauty salon and back again in 15 minutes to have Botox administered. No consultation was carried out and no photographs were taken. It is NOT possible for these treatments to be done correctly, legally and safely in this short amount of time and the practitioner’s insurance (if they even have any) will not cover them should something go wrong. Appointment length is one thing to watch out for, price is another. We have recently heard of one client receiving Botox in 3 areas for less than £200. This is barely enough to cover the cost of the drug, meaning it’s likely an unbranded product bought online. Needless to say, there is no regulation of prescription-only medicines purchased online. The ingredients won’t necessarily be what you expect and this could have all manner of unknown side effects.
If you really stop and think about it, why run the risk of getting a treatment from an unqualified person with no medical knowledge, using unregulated products bought from questionable online sources (with who knows what ingredients), and being left on your own to manage potentially serious complications?
We wanted to write about this topic to urge you to be very careful when choosing your practitioner. You only have one face and it’s a treatment which deserves research and due diligence.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by temporarily blocking nerve signals to the muscles typically in the forehead and around the eyes, preventing them from contracting. It’s made from a purified form of botulinum toxin, and when injected in small, controlled doses, it relaxes targeted muscles, helping to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. The effects typically begin within a few days and last about three to four months before gradually wearing off and needing to be reapplied.
The Risk Factors
Botox procedures, as with any medical treatment, do come with some risk factors, which is why it should only be performed by trained and qualified medical professionals, with all the correct insurances in place.
Side effects can include pain, swelling and bruising at the injection site, although these are typically mild and do not last very long.
It is, however, possible for the Toxin to spread beyond the injection site resulting in muscle weakness and potentially the drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows. Asymmetry can also occur in the face if one muscle responds differently to the treatment to another muscle. Other things to note are that it’s possible, although extremely rare, to have an allergic reaction to the drug or to pick up an infection in the rare instance that sterilisation practices aren’t followed. These are all things to be aware of and to talk through with your prescriber at your appointment.
Does Botox Look Unnatural?
Whilst we’re on the subject of Botox done badly (sounds a bit like a new Channel 4 documentary, don’t you think?) we’d like to highlight how many people are being overtreated with high doses of Botox. This will ultimately lead to a very unnatural look. The placement of Botulinum Toxin needs to be different from person to person due to each individual’s unique muscle distribution. This is certainly NOT a treatment with a ‘one size fits all’ approach and your prescribing practitioner should be making suggestions to suit your face and your goals. Generally, after the age of 30, freezing of the face is not a good endpoint. Less is more.
It's Not All Bad News
This might sound like a lot to be wary of and a lot to consider but Botox has a lot of benefits and thousands of people receive the treatment every day in the UK with great results. Quite a few of these are receiving Botox treatments in Brighton and Hove from the Noaem Skin Clinic (if I’m allowed to toot my own horn).
Although, of course, it is important to pick your practitioner well, Botox is considered safe and has a long track record compared to some other aesthetics treatments. It’s been FDA-approved since 2002 for cosmetic use, with decades of safe use in both medical and aesthetic practices. Results are long lasting (3-4 months) but temporary and it also has considerably less downtime than a lot of surgical alternatives. Plus dosage and placement can be tailored to meet each individual’s goals and facial anatomy, meaning it is a good treatment option for a lot of people.
The benefits of cosmetic Botox treatments speak for themselves:
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, especially frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet
- Prevention of wrinkle formation
- Natural-looking results (when done properly)
- Lifts and shapes facial features
- Quick procedure and fast recovery
- Customisable treatment
- Improves skin texture over time
Botox Is The Gold Standard Anti-Ageing Treatment For a Reason
Botox offers a range of cosmetic benefits – from smoothing wrinkles to enhancing facial contours – with quick, non-invasive treatments and minimal downtime. There are many benefits and that’s why we offer Botox treatments in Brighton and Hove at Noaem Skin.
However, like any medical procedure, it comes with potential risks and side effects that should be carefully considered. The key to a safe and satisfying result lies in choosing a qualified, experienced practitioner who can tailor the treatment to your individual needs. By weighing the pros and cons and having an open conversation with your provider, you can make an informed decision about whether Botox is the right option for your aesthetic goals. Do your homework and you won’t be disappointed.
At Noaem Skin we offer a consultation before any appointment to ensure you’re making the right choices for your skin and your goals. Please get in touch with Iki or Chris to begin the conversation about Botox treatments in Brighton and Hove.