Lumina

Sensible & Professional Facial Aesthetics

Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin is one of the most highly potent neurotoxins known to science, derived from bacterial origin.  There are 7 types of Botulinum neurotoxin; Type A (BoNTA) is what is commonly used for medicinal purposes

Botulinum toxin used in facial aesthetics, is derived from the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, and is one of the most potent neurotoxins known to science.  It works by blocking the transmission of nerve endings to the muscles, thereby causing temporary paralysis of the said muscles.

In the case of hyperhidrosis (treatment of excessive sweating in the armpit regions), treatment with BoNTA will block nerve signals to the sweat glands, rendering them less productive.  A course of treatment should last through the summer months

When used in small, controlled doses, BoNTA is relatively safe.  The paralysed muscles relax, causing the wrinkles on the skin to straighten.  BoNTA treatment will affect the wrinkles on the skin that become visible when making facial expressions.  The muscles typically stay in the relaxed state for between 4-6 months

Dynamic Lines

BoNTA treatment works best by reducing the Dynamic (expression) lines of the face

Dynamic lines of the face become visible when making facial expressions.  These include: forehead lines, glabellar lines, bunny lines, crows’ feet, smoker’s lines on the lip and pebbling of the chin.  In time, dynamic lines will become static lines; BoNTA treatment at the right time will help stop these creases from becoming permanent

Static lines on the face do not tend to respond well to treatment with BoNTA (although they may be reduced in size).  In such cases, alternatives such as dermal fillers, chemical peels, dermal abrasion or laser treatments may be a better option.  Your practitioner will be happy to guide you

Common Areas For BoNTA Treatment

Risks and Complications

When administered properly, BoNTA treatment is safe, but can have unwanted side effects

Because the effects of BoNTA are not immediately visible, and because the muscles of the face may be stronger on one side than the other, a degree of facial asymmetry may become evident after a few days.  In such cases, a top-up of BoNTA in the muscle which had previously been affected less by the treatment is indicated.  This is not usually done until 2 weeks post-treatment, to ensure the treatment has reached its maximum effect first

The most common side-effects of treatment with BoNTA include: headache, blurred vision and soreness or bruising at the injection sites.  In some cases, the toxin may work its way into the deeper layers of the muscles of the face and cause drooping (ptosis) of the eyelid or eyebrow.  This effect is temporary, and will wear off in time

For more information, please follow this link to the NHS website