Like almost every other human on the planet, I’m a long suffering victim of stress. And despite the usual coping strategies; yoga, cbd, screaming into the abyss – I can’t seem to shake it off. To make matters worse, the tension decided to manifest itself physically, in the form of lock-jaw. I did my best to ignore it until one day I realised that I couldn’t bite into an apple, so I bit the bullet (metaphorically speaking) and Googled it.
Google offered up a range of solutions; ranging from Gua Shua Facial Massage (tried it), to acupuncture (tried it), to a pureed food diet (no thank you). Finally I stumbled upon an article about botox injections- an off-label procedure where botox is injected into the masseter muscle causing it to relax, releasing tension and alleviating the key symptoms (headaches, bruxism and moaning about it)
So I made an appointment with Dr Richard Drewry at his clinic, Grove Park Aesthetics in Chiswick. The clinic offers a range of minimally invasive cosmetic and non-cosmetic procedures to improve appearance, confidence and well being. The treatments here are performed exclusively by Dr Drewry who is an experienced GP with a special interest in minor surgery and cosmetic treatments.
The Process
I was quite nervous, because I’d never had botox before and in the back of my mind I was worried that I’d get carried away and come out looking like Joan Rivers. But the clinic is set within a medical environment and Richard is a trusted professional – so he instantly put me at ease.
We talked through my predicament and he examined my jaw. He assured me that it’s a fairly common procedure and that it tends to yield good results. And as it turns out, the use of botox in medicine is nothing new, it has previously been used to treat chronic pain, neck and bladder issues.
Next we talk through the possible risks. Informed decisions are key for Richard, he’s a doctor, so the last thing he wants to do is jeopardise your wellbeing. All worries of being coerced, upsold or looking like a ninety year old with a twenty-five year old husband are banished. And whilst the treatment is supposed to last for six months, he does recommend taking a break every year or so to prevent mandible thinning.
First Richard measures the muscle and then marks out the injection points in order to achieve an even result. It’s almost painless.
The Results
Though not widely reported, I do feel a sense of instant relief. We joke that this is perhaps the result of an ‘acupuncture effect,’ in the same way that sticking a fork into a steaming turkey breast might release a plume of steam.
By day 5 there’s a definite weakening of the masseter muscle. Chewing cabbage and leafy greens feels slightly arduous and by day 21, I have gained a full range of motion. And there’s a visible difference too, my jaw looks visibly slimmer and my face looks more even.
Dr Drewry was by my side from start to finish, from initial consultation, to procedure and subsequent aftercare. I would definitely visit Grove Park Aesthetics again and would recommend them without hesitation, for any type of cosmetic treatment.
