FAQ’s

Can anyone have Botulinum toxin treatments?

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • have a neurological condition such as myasthenia gravis.

  • you have a history of anaphylaxis or allergy to the toxin.

  • you have inflammatory or infective skin disorders, or poor scarring.

  • you take certain medications such as blood thinners like warfarin.

  • you are aged under 25 or over 65.

  • you have had a course of Roacutane (isoretinoic acid for acne)in the last 18 months.

  • you are unwell on the day of treatment, even with a cold.

NOT IF

What are the side effects or complications of Botulinum toxin treatments?

Complications are uncommon and transient, usually becoming noticeable within a few days and usually settling within a few weeks of treatment.

  • Injections are not painful and are well tolerated without anaesthetic. They can be felt as a mild discomfort, but many do not feel any discomfort at all.

  • You will go back to your pre-injection state after 3-6 months.

  • Swelling and redness at injection site usually settle within 20 minutes but can last longer.

  • Bruising can occur so best avoid the treatment before a big event.

  • Asymmetry of expression can occur. This can be reviewed at the follow up and doses adjusted for a top up if needed.

  • Drooping of the brow or eyelid.

  • Heavy or tight feeling in the head after treatment.

Can anyone have dermal fillers?

NOT IF

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • you suffer from blood thinning disorders or take blood thinning medications.

  • you have autoimmune conditions or are taking steroids.

  • you have skin infection, inflammation or history of keloid scars.

  • you are unwell on the day of treatment, even with a cold.

  • you have had a course of Roacutane (isoretinoic acid for acne) in the past 18 months.

  • you have a history of anaphylaxis or allergy to dermal filler or local anaesthetic.

  • you have have had a dermal filler before but not sure what the filler used was, the fillers I use cannot be combined with any permanent or collagen dermal fillers.

  • If you have a history of cold sores, the injections can trigger a bad flare- so we would need to cover you with treatment for cold sores before the treatment.

What are the side effects or complications of dermal fillers?

Redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness and itching are expected, they can get worse after the first day and can last up to 2 weeks.
Any worsening of symptoms after 3 days will need further review.

  • The injections are made more comfortable by using a local anaesthetic cream, and the dermal filler include a local anaesthetic so the treatment feels more comfortable as it goes on.

  • There have been approximately 200 reported cases of blindness with dermal filler, that works out at about 1 in 1.5 million injections. To reduce the risk, I know the anatomy of the arteries, and ensure I am in the correct depth, I aspirate with every injection to check the needle is not in the artery, and only every inject small volumes, slowly at a time.