Affordable Botox® Injections Available in Bristol
Many men and women are looking for cheap BOTOX® injections in Bristol to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Doctor Brad says, “Injectable botulinum toxin treatment is affordable and effective but should only be given by trained professionals”.
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is one of the most well known brands of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT A) in the world today. There are 6 types of botulinum toxin, A, B, C, D, E, F. Only type A is used for cosmetic treatments. As the original commercial brand of botulinum toxin, it has had the longest amount of time to become synonymous with generic botulinum toxin in the population. In conversation, people use the name “BOTOX®” interchangeably when they refer to botulium toxin treatments, especially when referring to cosmetic treatments.
What Is BOTOX® Used For?
BOTOX® is quite remarkable in that it can be used to treat a wide variety of clinical conditions but the most widely known use is to improve the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles. Other clinical indications include the treatment of squint or “strabismus”, muscular contractions, tics or dystonia, spasticity, excessively sweaty palms or armpits (AKA hyperhidrosis), recurrent anal fissure, overactive bladder, migraine and bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching).
In cosmetic medicine, BOTOX® can be used to treat a variety of facial wrinkles although it is only strictly licensed in the UK by the MHRA for treatment of lines between the eyebrows. Nevertheless, doctors are allowed to use the product “off-licence” in accordance with generally accepted principles and practices to treat other problem areas such as forehead wrinkles, nasolabial lines, crow's feet, marionette lines, gummy smile, platysmal bands, nose lines, wrinkly chin, etc.
How Does BOTOX® Work?
BOTOX® is the purified neurotoxin (sub-type A) produced from the Clostridium Botulinum bacillus or “bacteria”. Most people use it to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Facial skin moves when the underlying muscles which are attached to it contract. Wrinkles occur when that skin has lost it's collagen and elasticity due to age and environmental factors such as smoking or sun damage. In simple terms, muscles treated with BOTOX® are prevented from contracting so the overlying skin is prevented or restricted from wrinkling.
Doctors technically call wrinkles “rhytides”. Some skin lines or wrinkles are only visible when the muscles contract so are termed “dynamic” wrinkles.
Some skin lines or wrinkles are visible whether or not the underlying muscles contract so are termed “static” wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles are most likely to improve with BOTOX® treatment although static lines can be softened too, especially with repeated treatments over time as the skin under the problem wrinkle is sometimes able to naturally regenerate and restore lost volume when not being constantly re-deformed.
Is BOTOX® Poisonous or Toxic?
BOTOX® is not dangerous when administered by a trained professional. As a product, it has an enviable safety record, having been used millions of times around the world over decades.
The product itself is purified botulinum toxin produced from Clostridium bacteria.
When Clostridium bacteria are accidentally allowed to grow and produce toxin unchecked in stored food products that are then consumed by unwitting people then very serious illness results. Luckily, due to modern food production and storage standards this is essentially unheard of in the Western world these days.
Is BOTOX® Safe?
In summary, cosmetic BOTOX treatments can be considered very safe. The doses typically administered by properly trained doctors are small and effects typically remain localised.
Who Can Give BOTOX® Treatment?
A properly trained doctor is arguably your best choice for a BOTOX® treatment. A doctor has years of experience and medical training in all aspects of medicine including physiology, pharmacology, not to mention the high ethical, personal and professional standards that they are held to by their professional organisations and regulatory bodies. A doctor can offer a full consultation, considering the implications of all aspects of your medical history. A fully trained doctor is arguably the most qualified person to prescribe BOTOX® for you.
Other people allowed to administer BOTOX® treatment in the UK include registered nurses and dentists although each must have received specialist training in BOTOX® treatments from a reputable provider. Many nurse injectors are not qualified to prescribe BOTOX® so have to find a doctor to consult with a prospective patient anyway before he can prescribe the BOTOX® for her to inject. This can be quite a palaver!
The general consensus in the aesthetic industry is that only properly qualified medical practitioners should be administering BOTOX® injections. This is widely expected to be enshrined in UK law in the coming years.
How Can I Get A BOTOX® Prescription?
Only a qualified prescriber can prescribe BOTOX® for you.
A properly qualified and GMC registered doctor will be able to prescribe for you.
A registered nurse will only be able to prescribe for you if he/she has completed a separate “prescriber's course“. If the nurse has not completed a prescribing course then you will have to meet with a qualified prescriber, usually a doctor, that has agreed to conduct a face to face consultation with you on her behalf to assess you and prescribe the BOTOX® if he thinks it is appropriate.
You will not usually physically receive such a prescription. The prescription will be sent directly to a specialist pharmacy on your behalf to request the product.
Who Can Have BOTOX®?
BOTOX® injections can be administered to both men and women and these treatments are often performed to improve the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. Patients should generally be in good health to receive treatment and should only undergo treatment after assessment by a qualified prescriber.
Who Can't Have BOTOX®?
BOTOX® has an enviable safety record and has been used for decades all around the world to improve facial appearance. The incidence of side-effects is low. However, reputable doctors will take a full medical history and examine the patient to ensure that no contraindications to treatment are present.
It is generally agreed that the following groups of people should not receive BOTOX®:
- Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should not receive BOTOX®
- Breastfeeding women should not receive BOTOX®
- People suffering from an active skin infection or condition at or near the proposed treatment site should have treatment postponed until they are recovered
- People with a history of diseases of the neuromuscular junction ie Eaton-Lambert syndrome, Myaesthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis. Mononeuritis multiplex, Bell's palsy, brain tumour, Motor Neurone Disease, stroke, min-stroke/TIA etc.
- People who are known to have or be at risk from “closed angle glaucoma”
- People with a history of dysfunctional swallow mechanism
- People taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, ie aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin etc
- People due for surgery with a general anaesthetic in the next 2-3 weeks.
- People with a history of allergic reaction to Botulinum toxin products.
- People with body dysmorphic disorder, acute psychiatric conditions or unrealistic expectations.
What Are The Alternatives To BOTOX®?
Botox is not the only brand of Botulinum toxin available on the market so is not the clinician's only choice when selecting a BoNT A product. Equivalent products include but are not limited to Bocouture and Azzalure. Product selection is the job of the clinician and he should be able to explain to the patient why the product has been chosen. In the UK, a clinician is not permitted by law to advertise a specific brand of treatment in his literature or advertising.
How To Book A BOTOX® Treatment?
Simply call or email your chosen provider to book a convenient appointment.
How Do I Prepare For A BOTOX® Treatment?
No special preparation is required. As with any medical treatment, do not attend under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even attending with a “hangover” is a bad idea. Do not attend if you are unwell or have an active local skin complaint. Reschedule your treatment instead.
How Long Does A BOTOX® Treatment Take?
The duration of a BOTOX® consultation will naturally vary from patient to patient. The length of the consultation will depend on how long it takes to complete any paperwork, take a history, perform an examination, discuss the findings and agree a treatment plan. Then there is the actual preparation of the treatment, its administration and the delivery of aftercare advice.
A first consultation with your doctor, including all treatment could last 30-45 minutes. Subsequent consultation may take considerably less time if your medical history has not changed significantly and there is less to discuss.
What does BOTOX® look like?
BOTOX® appears as a white powdery residue in the bottom of a vacuum sealed glass phial. It is gently reconstituted with an exact volume of sterile saline to produce the solution for injection.
How Is BOTOX® Given?
Your doctor should first take photographs of you whilst sitting up for your confidential records. You will then remove any remaining make-up and have your injection sites gently cleaned with medical grade antiseptic solution. You will lay down on the treatment couch and relax.
Botox® is administered by careful injection using very fine, small needles and small syringes. Injections are relatively painless and are generally very well tolerated. Injections are placed at exact sites in the face or body depending on the area to be treated and the specific characteristics of the individual patient. It can work well in combination with dermal fillers.
How Long Does BOTOX® Take To Work?
You may start to notice effects within 2-3 days although the maximal effects will generally be most noticeable after a 2 week period.
How Many BOTOX® Treatment Sessions Will I Need?
One session is usually sufficient to get the desired effects. However, if you feel that a repeat treatment is required and your doctor agrees then this may be administered after 2 weeks.
What Are The Side Effects of BOTOX®?
BOTOX® injections are intended to weaken the contractions of the muscles that they are injected into, in order to secondarily improve the appearance of overlying fine lines and wrinkles. As a result, the patient can be expected to experience either a partial or total inability to use the treated muscles.
Other potential stated side effects include a brief, mild flu like feeling or headache.
What Are The Risks of BOTOX® Treatment?
Whenever an injection is given, as in any case where the skin is broken, there is the theoretical risk of infection, bleeding, bruising and swelling. These risks are minimised through proper training, preparation, technique and compliance with aftercare advice.
What Is The Aftercare Advice for BOTOX® Treatment?
Aftercare advice is important in achieving the best outcomes. Patients who have received facial BOTOX® treatments should be typically advised not to lie down for 2-3 hours after the treatment. They should avoid facial massage, saunas or vigorous exercise for 48 hours too. This advice is too reduce the risk of excessive diffusion or spread of the product away from its intended area of effect. Make up should not be applied to injection sites for 12-24 hours. This is to theoretically reduce the risk of infection at the injection sites. Patients may move their facial muscles as much or as little as they please. There is no evidence that either over or under-use of the muscles makes any difference to the effect of the treatment.
How Long Does the Effect of BOTOX® Last?
The effects of BOTOX® typically last 6-9 months and this varies somewhat unpredictably from patient to patient.
If you keep up the treatment over time with regular re-treatments, 3-4x a year, the muscle will gradually reduce in size and strength and you may need less product to get the same effect or the same dose may cause a longer lasting effect? Good, right?
How Much Does BOTOX® Cost With Dr Brad?
Classic Treatments.
The classic “3 areas” are crow’s feet, forehead, frown lines (glabella).
- 1 area: £125 standard dose; £175 double dose.
- 2 areas: £165 standard dose; £240 double dose.
- 3 areas: £195 standard dose; £295 double dose.
New Patient Offer.
3 classic areas for just £175 (consultation included).
Also enjoy 50% off one session of either Dr Brad’s Combi Peel (£97), Radiofrequency Facial (£147) or Elite Rejuve Laser Facial (£173 ) when purchased same day.
Classic Pre-Pay Special.
Save £40 when you pay for 4 classic 3 area treatments upfront (non-refundable and to be taken within 13 months): £740 standard dose/£1140 double dose.
Bo-tox Client Referral Scheme.
Qualify for 6 months of special discounted pricing on your bo-tox treatments when you refer a new bo-tox customer, starting from the day your referral receives their first treatment.
Your referral will benefit by only paying the special discount pricing for their first treatment.
Successfully refer 6 new bo-tox customers within any 12 month period to enjoy the special pricing for 12 months and claim a session of hyaluronic dermal fillers at a 50% discount.
- 1 area: £115 standard dose; £165 double dose.
- 2 areas: £135 standard dose; £230 double dose.
- 3 areas: £150 standard dose; £250 double dose.
Bo-tox Buddy Scheme.
Attend with a friend for a classic 3 area treatment for £185 each.
Bridal/Pamper Party Scheme.
8 or more new customers can book for a classic 3 area bo-tox treatment for just £150 each (total fee to be paid upfront by the lead customer at time of booking and is non-refundable).
Top-Ups.
Minor top-ups (maximum of 2 injection points) between 2-3 weeks after treatment are £60.
Specific Bo-tox Treatments.
Bunny lines on the nose: £60
Lip Lines/Lip Flip: £95
Dimpled Chin Relaxation: £125
Gummy Smile Reduction: £125
Lower eyelid wrinkles: £145
Bruxism/ masseter jaw muscle reduction: £200 (£340 double dose)
Nefertiti Lift: £220
Neck bands: from £250
Armpit sweat treatment: £250
Scalp hair stimulation: £400.
(In line with UK ASA guidelines, Doctor Brad does not specifically promote the Botox branded product in his advertising. Instead he informs patients that there a variety of brands to choose from when they are considering a Botulinum toxin injection treatment for wrinkles and other facial problems and that the brand should not necessarily be their main consideration.)
Book an appointment with Doctor Brad to discuss how purified botulinum injections might help you to achieve your treatment goals.
Call 07588 971425