Dawn, 34, Housewife and mother of 2

Botox

• Why I started

When I first had Botox anti-wrinkle injections in my early 30s I was doing it as a preventative measure. I started to notice a faint crevice between my brows even when I wasn't squinting, and I wasn't happy about it! I now have it two or three times a year.

• My most recent treatment

Although I get the injections every six months, my doctor asked me to make lots of expressions so she could see where I needed it most. She gave me about six injections on my forehead, four to six between the brows and three on each side of my eyes. Each injection feels like a pinprick ­ and the entire treatment is completed in just a few minutes. The redness was gone in a few hours and I didn't have any bruising, so all I had to do was wait for the results!

After 7 days, I saw the Botox starting to kick in.­ I had to try a little harder to squeeze my brows together! It took around 7 to 10 days to see the full effect, and at that point my forehead was smooth and I had no crow's feet and my brow appears lifted and the areas around my eyes are line free. The overall effect is like a brow lift! Everyone tells me I don't have that "frozen" look and that I look fresher although they can't pinpoint what I've had done.
I know not to allow the Botox/Vistabel to totally wear off before I make my next appointment. As soon as I see the faintest furrow, I go back.

• The feedback I have received

People are always surprised to hear how old I am. I truly believe that Botox helps with premature ageing.

• Advice I've given to a friend

Stay off all aspirin or anything that contains aspirin for a week or so before treatment to avoid bruising. Also, focusing on something in the room distracts you from knowing when the Botox is being injected.

• Our verdict

We've offered botox in our aesthetic centres now for four years. Tracey comments: "While patients are thrilled with the results of the first treatment, many get happier as time goes by. The reason is simple - the use of Botox compounds. Not only do you eliminate those vertical frown lines between the brows that look like an 11 and make you look angry or tired, but the appearance of that area becomes progressively smoother and more youthful." Botox is an excellent preventative treatment producing natural aesthetic results.

We have men and women of all ages and from all professions attending consultation and Botox is ideal for those seeking rejuvenation of the face. It is a safe, effective and simple procedure that produces consistently good results.
Botox is a product that should be provided by a qualified professional and should always be administered following a full consultation.

Combination treatments - Botox is a fantastic treatment to combine with other injectable fillers such as Softline (Inamed) or Restylane (Q-med).

For example, Botox can be combined with a filler to decrease muscle activity around the eyes and the filler can be used to lift and plump any static lines left behind.

Lips can be augmented beautifully with Restylane lips, smoothing and plumping the lost volume. Combined with a little Botox the muscles around the lips can be relaxed, smoothing and reducing the whole mouth or peripheral area.
Kissable, rejuvenated lips or fuller, more luscious lips: by injecting filler directly into the lips, volume is instantly increased. Depending on the filler used, results can last from ten weeks to nine months.

Before / After		Before / After