Botox® in London, dos and don’ts
Published on: June 11, 2021
Each year, around 2 million Botox® treatments are carried out in the UK, and over 100,000 carried out in central London alone. Botox® is the most well-known and commonly undertaken procedure to smooth expression lines and dynamic wrinkles (the lines we see when we pull facial expressions such as laughing and frowning). At The London Cosmetic Clinic in Harley Street, we are experts in administering injectable treatments for anti-ageing and take pride in our clinically-regulated, professional approach. However, with Botox® being such a popular treatment, there are practitioners out there who might not be as well-qualified or experienced as you might think, so it’s essential to choose the right clinic for a safe procedure and natural-looking results. Therefore, we have put together a list of dos and don’ts to help you make an informed and educated decision about who will be carrying out your Botox® treatment:-
Do – ensure you choose a medically qualified doctor, dentist, nurse or surgeon.
Botox® is a prescribed drug, and in the hands of someone who does not understand medicine, the facial anatomy or how to cope with any side-effects or unforeseen circumstances, things could quickly go very wrong. Botulinum Toxin Type A is the substance used for anti-wrinkle injections (Botox® is actually a brand name) and is a neurotoxin, which means that it blocks the nerve signals which create muscle movement. This is why you should ensure that your Botox® practitioner is a medically qualified specialist who has undergone significant training in Botox® injection treatments.
Don’t – choose the cheapest option.
If it looks too good to be true, the chances are that it is! Botox® injections in London range from £100 to £500 for three areas; if you are offered the opportunity to have three areas of Botox® for less than £250, there could be a reason why. Sub-standard products, non-medical practitioners and those wishing to make a quick buck with no aftercare follow up or clinic location are all reasons that Botox® injections could be offered at silly prices. Avoid Botox® parties, online voucher offers, or anything that seems like a cheap option for what this treatment entails. Consider the professional and medical qualifications, the license of the clinic, the clinic location, initial consultation, aftercare and the professionalism of the staff who work at the clinic. This is what you are paying for, as well as the vial of Botox®, syringes, needles and other disposable items required for treatment. You certainly get what you pay for, and if you decide to take the cheapest option you can find, you might be paying with more than your money but your health and wellbeing.
Do – undergo a pre-treatment consultation.
Any medical professional who administers Botox® will ask that you attend a no-obligation consultation before any treatment can be carried out. This initial meeting will enable your practitioner to examine your facial features, discuss your skin concerns, check your medical history and explain what will happen during the treatment and the expected results. This meeting is vital to ensure that a Botox® treatment will be both safe and effective for you to undergo. Only once this consultation is complete will a reputable and responsible medical professional agree to administer the treatment. You’ll then be able to book your appointment for the procedure.
Don’t – be pressured to have the treatment there and then.
By law and as part of their duty of care, medical professionals must offer a cooling-off period to any patient enquiring about a specific treatment to go away and think about the treatment and whether they would like to go ahead with it. If a practitioner makes you feel pressured to have the treatment straight after your consultation, best make your excuses and leave. Botox® is a prescribed medicine, and although the treatment is quick to administer, it is not a procedure that should be taken lightly. It’s your right as a patient to be able to take time to consider your options and to think about whether Botox® is the right treatment for you. You may want to discuss your treatment with a spouse or partner, you may wish to do more research online, or you might simply not have time that day. If your doctor respects that you may need a little time to think about your Botox® treatment and suggests that you make an appointment when you feel comfortable to do so, you’re on the right track.
Do – ensure that there is a suitable aftercare programme in place.
A reputable and caring team of clinic professionals will always follow up on any non-surgical injectable treatment administered by one of their specialists. The doctor themselves or the reception team should have a call back procedure to give you a call a few days after your Botox® treatment (especially if it’s your first) and to offer a second appointment to follow up and make any adjustment which may be required. Ensuring that the clinic you attend has a permanent location with a team of staff will ensure that you will have someone to talk with if you have any concerns following your treatment. Botox® clinics and temporary ‘pop-up’ treatment rooms will not offer this service, so avoid them; after all, you might wish to discuss your treatment and any slight side-effects or aftercare to follow. If you can’t track the practitioner down, this will not be available to you. Making sure you are offered the right aftercare advice will also enable you to look after yourself, following your treatment and help to optimise your results.
Don’t – dictate or insist on what you want to your Botox® injector.
Doctors are trained to advise on the best route to take with any non-surgical treatment and have a duty of care to do no harm. In plain terms, this means that they cannot cause you injury or achieve a result that is not natural-looking or complementary to your natural appearance. A doctor will know how much product to use and where on your face to inject; they will advise you on the best way to get the most natural, effective results. You may have seen a friend who had a specific product injected in a certain way in certain areas of their face with excellent results. This doesn’t mean that you will get the same with that specific protocol. Your face is unique, and your doctor will dictate how the treatment will take place and will also decide how much to inject and where. So, don’t be offended if your doctor declines if you ask something specific which they don’t believe will benefit you. If you have done your research and know that our practitioner is well-versed and highly qualified, trust their advice and let them guide you.
Botox® is a fantastic treatment to reduce expression lines and dynamic wrinkles temporarily, and when done correctly in a professional, medical environment, it works brilliantly. Invest time researching to safeguard yourself. By following some simple rules whilst researching who to choose for your Botox® treatment will stand you in good stead in the long term.
Safe Botox treatments in London at The London Cosmetic Clinic
For more information on anti-wrinkle injections, or to book a no-obligation consultation with Dr Salinda Johnson, contact our team today.
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