The trade names for the prescription-only, wrinkle-relaxing drugs that Dr Fitzgerald prescribes are BOTOX® and Azzalure®.
about BOTOX® and Azzalure®
Botulinum neurotoxin (BOTOX®) is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles, to create a smooth rejuvenated appearance. Tiny quantities are injected directly into a muscle to temporarily block the chemical signals that make the muscle contract. The muscle simply relaxes, and this relaxation allows the skin to become smooth.
Botulinum toxin has been used safely for decades for a variety of medical indications including the treatment of squint in children, bladder instability, migraine, and many other conditions. Millions of patients worldwide have been safely and successfully treated with this drug.
“Simply softening a frown line can be positively transformative”
the treatment process
Consultation
Dr Fitzgerald will perform a facial examination, asking you to frown or smile to assess your muscle movement and determine the injection sites to achieve the best results for you.
Treatment
The neurotoxin is then administered by several tiny injections which feel a little bit sharp. You will have some small red bumps at the site of the injections that will disappear within about 20 minutes. You can return to day-to-day activities immediately.
Follow up.
If this is your first BOTOX® or Azzalure® treatment with Dr Fitzgerald, you will be asked to come for a free-of-charge follow-up visit at 2 weeks, so that the effects of the treatment can be assessed. If necessary, some small adjustments to the dose may be made in order to tailor the treatment optimally for your face.
How long before I see results from my BOTOX® or Azzalure® treatment?
The effects of the BOTOX® or Azzalure® will take about 2-4 days to kick in, and then a full 2 weeks to become completely established. During those 2 weeks, you may experience changes in the activity of the muscles, possibly some heaviness of the brows or hyper elevation of one or both sides.
How long does BOTOX ® or Azzalure® TREATMENT LAST?
The effects will last for up to 3 months after your initial treatment but it varies from person to person. At three months, you will probably have significant return of movement. If you wish to maintain the effects, you will need to undergo repeat treatment.
is BOTOX ® the right treatment FOR YOU?
You will have a consultation with Dr Fitzgerald, during which your suitability for the treatment will be assessed and your expectations discussed.
Often, alternative treatments may be a more suitable option (See ‘Related treatments’ on this page). Dr Fitzgerald will give you expert advice on what will work best for you.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more FAQs about BOTOX® and Azzalure®.
enquire & book
Start with a no-obligation consultation.
related treatments
Deep-etched lines, still visible when face muscles are relaxed, will not disappear with BOTOX® alone and may need combination treatment with dermal fillers.
Frequently asked questions about BOTOX®
WHAT IS BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is the trade name for a drug called Botulinum Toxin A. The drug temporarily blocks muscle activity and as a result, the skin that covers the muscles does not crease. It is popular as an anti-wrinkle treatment, since lines and wrinkles flatten and soften.
Millions of patients worldwide have been safely and successfully treated with this drug. Botulinum toxin has been used safely for decades for a variety of medical indications including the treatment of squint in children, bladder instability, migraine, and many other conditions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Tiny quantities are injected directly into a muscle to temporarily block the chemical signals that make the muscle contract. The muscle simply relaxes or “goes to sleep”, and this relaxation allows the skin to become smooth.
CAN BOTOX® EVER LOOK NATURAL?
Many people worry that anti-wrinkle injections like BOTOX® can cause the face to look frozen and unnatural. Unfortunately, in some cases this does happen when it is badly injected. Correctly administered treatments should appear natural. With skilled hands it is possible to tailor your treatment to give you as little or as much movement as you want. As in all treatments, Dr Fitzgerald focuses on fine touches in the right places for an elegant and subtle result.
HOW LONG DOES BOTOX® LAST?
Results vary as certain individuals break down Botox more rapidly than others. However, most patients notice a return to normal movement around three to four months after the treatment.
IS BOTOX® A POISON?
“sola dosis facit venenum” only the dose makes the poison is the toxicology maxim attributed to Paracelsius, a Swiss physician and alchemist of the 16th Century. All things, even oxygen and water can be poisonous if too much is eaten, drunk or absorbed.
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. This toxin when ingested in large amounts can produce the food poisoning illness known as Botulism. However with cosmetic procedures relatively tiny amounts of the purified protein are injected. Any common side effects are very mild and short lived, so the procedure carries minimal risk as long as it is delivered by a skilled and qualified professional.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BOTOX®?
You will have some small red bumps or needle marks corresponding to the sites of the injections. These typically only last from around a few minutes to an hour.
It is possible to get a bruise following Botox injection, although this is unusual. The area to the side of the eyes (where the crows’ feet are seen) is particularly vascular, and this is the commonest site for bruising. A bruise may last 2 week and be embarrassing, but it will not affect the outcome of the treatment.
Around 10% of patients can experience a headache after their first treatment. This is usually mild and short-lived. Over-the-counter painkillers are usually more than sufficient while this settles.
Occasionally, patients can experience heaviness of the brows and (much more rarely) eyelids. This is always temporary and usually improves within a few weeks.
Rarely, and this is almost always the result of poor placement of the injections due to lack of experience, Botox can cause temporary blurred vision , or asymmetry of the smile.