Dr Christine Or Reveals What Botox Can Really Do, and What it Can't
- infoalcomms
- 3 hours ago
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Dr Christine Or Reveals What Botox Can Really Do, and What it Can't
Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular and well-known Aesthetics treatments which have many fantastic benefits for those seeking a naturally refreshed look. However, they are also one of the most misunderstood treatments, and patients are sometimes unsure of what anti-wrinkle injections can achieve, and what they can't.
In this blog, award-winning Dr Christine Or, who has built her reputation on providing beautiful and subtle enhancements for her patients, advises on what anti-wrinkle injections are, what they are great for, as well as their limitations, so you are able to make an informed decision about what Botox can really do, and what it can't.
What is Botulinum Toxin and How Does it Work?
Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring protein which is a very safe and effective treatment to reduce expressive (dynamic) facial lines. The toxin blocks chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle so that the muscle stays in its resting state for a period of 8 to 12 weeks on average.
This may be only a partial reduction in movement allowing some remaining movement or a full block in which case there is very little remaining muscle movement in the area (this depends on the amount administered and the location of the product placement).
What Botox Can Do
Soften expression lines: Botulinum toxin such as Botox and Bocouture are licensed to treat frown lines (often referred to as "number 11 lines"), crows feet around the eyes and forehead lines. Successful treatment may not cause the expression lines to disappear completely but may soften them. By gently relaxing the muscles that create the lines, Botox smooths their appearance for a more rested version of you. Botox is not suitable for lines that are present without facial expression (static lines).
Provide natural and subtle enhancements: Before having Botox, some of my patients worry that it could take away their expression or make them appear "frozen." If Botox is administered by a qualified practitioner who understands the importance of careful and thoughtful placement, it simply softens harsh or tired areas whilst maintaining your natural character and movement. It is important to find an expert who will work in harmony with your natural facial features to achieve the most balanced and beautiful results.
Create a gentle lift and facial balance: Botox can also create subtle lifting effects of the face to make a meaningful difference to overall facial harmony. It works by releasing muscles that pull certain areas downwards, and can help with a soft brow lift, muscles that turn the corners of the mouth down, gummy smile and the neck muscles (the "Nefertiti Neck Lift")
Support your comfort and wellbeing: As well as combating signs of ageing, Botox can also benefit those who have jaw tension because of teeth grinding, facial pain related to clenching, excessive sweating, and certain types of migraines, improving their comfort and wellbeing. It has also been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and social phobia.
What Botox Can't Do
Fix the lines caused by skin changes: As mentioned above, Botox is ideal for treating and softening expression lines, but it cannot improve the static lines caused by changes to your skin's structure which are often due to collagen loss as we age, sun exposure over the years, and dehydration. These types of lines usually respond better to skin boosters such as Profhilo and Viscoderm Hydrobooster, as well as RF microneedling, chemical peels and medical-grade skincare. I often advise my patients that combining different treatments to treat the face as a whole will give optimal results.
Replace overall skin health treatments: As well as fine lines and wrinkles, patients are also often concerned with pigmentation, skin texture, pore size, and a dull, lacklustre complexion. Unfortunately, Botox does not address these types of issues. Long-term skin health can be achieved with a consistent tailored medical-grade skincare routine, healthy lifestyle choices and in-clinic collagen boosting treatments such as Sunekos, Polynucleotides and RF microneedling.
Alter your facial structure: Botox is effective in refining certain facial areas, it cannot replace lost volume of lift sagging skin. If your goal is to restore volume, contour or improve skin laxity, I would recommend other in-clinic treatments such as EMface and dermal fillers.
Provide permanent results: It is important to note that the results of your Botox treatment typically last 3-6 months, and this can very much depend on your individual muscle activity and lifestyle. This means that maintenance top-ups are needed, and your practitioner should discuss a tailored treatment plan to achieve your desired results.
The Benefits of a "Whole Face" Approach when choosing Botox
Botox is a great treatment choice for softening expression lines and refreshing your appearance, but I often recommend combination treatments to achieve the best and most natural results. I favour treatments that rejuvenate the face in the most subtle way, so rather than just treating concerns in isolation, I prefer to treat the face holistically. Treating the face as a "whole" so the results of a treatment are balanced and harmonious is key to achieving a "less is more" approach.
Why Choose Dr. Christine Medical Aesthetics?
Dr Christine is an expert in anti-wrinkle injections to create a naturally beautiful and refreshed appearance, and she often tailors a combination of treatments to yield the best results for her patients. If you would like to discuss whether Botox is suitable for you, book your consultation with Dr Christine Or who will be happy to discuss a tailored treatment plan to meet your goals.