Men and Women
More than half a million Botox treatments on females aged between 19-34 are performed each year. Young women want to delay their skin’s natural ageing and stay younger looking for longer by using fillers and freezers. With the growth of social media sites where it is cool to put up ‘selfies’, the younger generation are scrutinizing their appearance more and more. This is why the need for cosmetic enhancement has increased by 41% over a four year period. It may surprise you that an increased number of men have begun having Botox procedures – in fact 10% of Botox users are men, thus the term Brotox.
Working Women
The age group who use Botox the most are the working mothers, aged between 41 years. It is always assumed that celebrities and popstars are the main group having these procedures, but this is not the case. Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxic type A. It is injected with a very fine needle into the muscle, which blocks nerve signals and prevents the skin contracting, thus relaxing and softening the wrinkled area. The procedure lasts between 3 – 6 months and is therefore repeated 2 or 3 times a year.
Clinics
There are clinics all over the UK offering a variety of procedures, and the capital city has clinics in the prestigious Harley Street. Botox in West London is big business. The procedures need to be carried out by a medical doctor or qualified nurse with supervision. When looking for a clinic you are best to ask for before and after photographs of previous patients, or get advice from your local GP. He/she can put you in touch with known qualified physicians.
Side Effects
There can be side effects from Botox procedures ranging from headaches, respiratory infections, nausea, droopy eye-lids and flu like symptoms. More severe reactions have been facial pain, redness at the injection site and muscle weakness. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not undergo Botox treatments, nor those trying to get pregnant. Any allergies should be discussed beforehand, and any medication that you take should be disclosed to the doctor performing the treatment.
Cost
The cost of Botox treatments vary from clinic to clinic but generally range from £150 – £350 depending on the area you live and the amount of product used.
Benefits
The benefits to Botox treatments are immense. For people who have little self-confidence and a low self-esteem, Botox can boost your confidence and make you appreciate yourself. It can be used to reduce acne scars and helps facial wounds heal with less scarring. It can smooth out wrinkles and stop excessive sweating, and can also be used to treat migraine headaches. This is possible because the drug blocks the nerve sensation which project pain messages to the brain. Another beneficial use is in men with enlarged prostrates. Injections can provide relief for up to 12 months because the Botox reduces the size of the gland, thus improving the flow of urine.
Whatever your thoughts on the use of Botox, the benefits outweigh the problems, as long as it is used in a professional way.
