Botox Notting Hill

If you are still trying to figure out where to get Botox injections in Notting Hill, you've come to the right place. Dr MCas offers a range of Botox treatments focused on facial rejuvenation (forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, glabella, neck) as well as reducing excessive sweating - also know as hyperidrosis.

What is Botox?

Botox® is made from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an organism found in the natural environment (including soil, lakes, and forests) where it is largely inactive and non-toxic.

Whilst the toxin found in nature can be dangerous to humans' health as it can cause a very rare but life-threatening condition called ‘botulism’, Botox used for facial aesthetic treatments is very safe when injected into the muscles or veins, as it is a purified form of Botulinum toxin - known as Type A.

The main brands of Type A Botox include:

• Botox® by Allergan, Inc.

• Azzalure® by Galderma

• Alluzience® by Galderma

• Bocouture

• Xeomin by Merz

• Dysport by Ipsen Pharmaceuticals

The process of administration is simple. In its purest form, the Botulinum toxin comes in as a very fine white powder. The powder is then diluted using a saline solution which makes it easy for Dr Castelhano to inject into the desired area.

Types of Botox Treatments at Dr MCas Notting Hill

Dr Castelhano offers different types of Botox treatments at her Notting Hill clinic. These include:

• Wrinkle Reduction in Forehead: Botox use is a great option for reducing wrinkles in the forehead. When administered effectively, Botox can help achieve a youthful and more relaxed appearance.

• Crow's Feet: Due to the daily use of your facial muscles when smiling, laughing or squinting, the appearance of crow’s feet - wrinkles that form around the outside of the eyes - is somewhat inevitable. Botox administration is a great non-surgical option for minimising crow’s feet, as they tend to get deeper over time.

• Glabella: The glabellar region is the area of space between the eyebrows and above the nose. Botox injections are given between the eyebrows to limit the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles in that region.

• Gummy Smile: The term ‘gummy smile’ is used to describe excessive exposure of the gums when you smile. This could be caused by a short upper lip, small teeth or excessive gum tissue. Intramuscular injection of Botox directly into the elevator muscles in the upper lip has been used by dentists as an effective method for reducing gummy smile. Botox reduces the muscular strength of the upper lip, preventing its contraction and subsequent exposure of the gums. The treatment normally lasts for about three to four months.

• Tightening of the Neck: The use of Botox in the alleviation of horizontal neck lines is also gaining popularity. Small doses of Botox injected into the muscles of the neck (platysmal bands) prevents contractions which helps with the reduction of neck lines.

• Hyperhidrosis: Botox is approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating in people 18 years and older, especially when treatment with topical agents and antiperspirants have proved ineffective.

• TMJD and Bruxism: Botox has also been used successfully in the treatment of Bruxism and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Bruxism is characterized by constant teeth grinding or clenching of the jaws. This is also due to hyperactivity of the jaw muscles. Temporary reduction in the strength of the muscles prevents teeth grinding, especially at night. Botox is injected into the muscles of mastication (masseter, temporal) and the major symptoms of bruxism particularly myofascial pain can be greatly reduced. The low dose is able to partially paralyze the muscles, limiting their ability to forcefully clench or grinding while still retaining enough muscular mobility such that normal functions such as eating and talking are not compromised.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox works in different ways depending on the type of treatment performed.

For wrinkle reduction

Wrinkles are formed by a process called ‘dermal atrophy’ and repetitive contraction of the underlying facial musculature. This normal aging process is essentially down to the constant movement of the face and forehead (when eating, blinking, smiling) and a loss of the skin’s elasticity over-time – creating fine lines in the early days and deeper wrinkles later on in life.

Muscular contractions rely on the nerves releasing a chemical component called acetylcholine, at the meeting point between the nerve endings and muscle cells. This chemical messenger travels down the nerves. It is then attached to receptors on the cells of the muscle, bringing about muscle cell contraction.

Botox® allows Dr Castelhano to essentially tackle both dynamic wrinkles, those seen during muscle contraction, and static wrinkles, those which are visible at rest.

The small injections of Botox® work by targeting the nervous system and disrupting the signalling process that allows neurons to communicate effectively with muscles, thus weakening or paralyzing those muscles altogether.

For hyperidrosis (excessive sweating)

The brain controls all the activities in your body through the nerves which carry chemical signals.

Sweat is produced by the sweat glands when receiving a chemical signal from the brain.

Administration of Botox to the underarm region temporarily blocks the transmission of signals from the brain to the sweat glands present in the armpit. This stops sweat production in the underarm region for a period of 3-6 months. Hyperhidrosis is therefore adequately controlled by Botox injections in most cases.

As body odour arises from underarm sweating because of the presence of moisture (sweat) and the lack of free air movement in that region - which produces a bacteria that releases chemicals which tend to have a potent smell - the use of Botox helps control not only excessive sweating but also body odours, which is often life changing for Dr Castelhano's patients.

For bruxism or hypertrophic masseters

For the treatment of TMJ/Bruxism with Botox, the masseter, temporalis and the medial pterygoid muscles are typically injected.

Botox reduces Bruxism by disrupting the transmission of signals in the trigeminal motor nucleus, inhibiting the central Bruxism generator through the paralysis of the mandibular muscles.

Do Botox Injections Hurt?

Whilst the French often say "il faut souffrir pour être belle / beau", meaning one must suffer to be beautiful, you'll be pleased to hear that Botox injections at Dr MCas Notting Hill clinic are unlikely to be painful.

Whilst Botox injections are not completely painless, most patients say that it “is not very painful” and most believe that the results are well worth any discomfort. The pain can be compared to a slight stinging sensation at the injection site.

Injections administered to the forehead are typically less painful due to the thicker and less sensitive skin in that region, whilst Botox injections for crow's feet tend to be slightly more painful as the skin is very thin and full of nerves. This is, however, not a general rule for everyone. Some may find other areas more painful than the ones mentioned. Genetics also play a role in skin sensitivity and consequently, the sensation of pain.

The sensation of pain can be reduced by the use of a topical cream applied to the area 5-10min before the injection or by using an ice pack immediately after the treatments to reduce the pain, redness and swelling.

How Quickly Will I See Results?

The onset of results for Botox treatments vary with individuals as well as the area of the body treated.

Generally speaking Botox is expected to start having visible effects within three to four days after injection. Some patients may see the results earlier while it could be delayed for some others.

On the average, it takes about 2 weeks for maximum results to be seen.

So if you are planning to have a Botox treatment to get you ready for an event, tailoring the treatment to about 2 weeks prior to the event would be a great idea. You would be experiencing the full effect of the injection and whatever bruise or discomfort you may get from the administration should be long gone by then.

How Often Do I Need to Visit Your Notting Hill Clinic for Botox Injections?

A typical Botox treatment only takes a few minutes and Dr Melanie Castelhano has usually prepared the dilutions before you get to the clinic for your appointment.

All that remains when you arrive is to locate the right muscles and administer the injections. You can get right back to work or resume your daily activities on the day you receive your Botox injections.

Remember that the first few hours after your injections are crucial if you are to avoid unwanted effects, so do refrain from rubbing/massaging the injection site or lying down within that period to prevent Botox migration.

Botox injections typically wear off in about three to six months, as the binding to the nerve that causes muscle paralysis is not permanent. As muscles gradually begin to regain their mobility, wrinkles will start to re-appear. The re-appearance indicates the effect of the Botox is wearing off and you may need to consider booking another appointment at our Notting Hill clinic to get a top up.

Book a Botox Appointment in Notting Hill with Dr MCas

Dr Melanie Castelhano teaches delegates from all over the world safe techniques for Medical Aesthetics and is an Advanced Trainer in London and Porto for Derma Medical.

She is also a Brand Ambassador and trainer for French brand Filmed and teaches French couture techniques at her clinic in the heart of Notting Hill.

To discuss your personal requirements and assess if Botox treatments could be right for you, book your 15-min free of charge virtual consultation with Dr Melanie Castelhano today!