Botox growth in London bucks current financial trends
Despite the recession, the number of people in London choosing to fight signs of ageing with Botox has grown. Why do so many consider it to be a routine part of their costmetic regime?
The popularity of Botox in London as an effective yet affordable non-surgical anti-ageing cosmetic treatment is growing, and fast.
Despite the economic downturn, recent reports suggest the number of adults in London opting for facial aesthetic treatments, including Botox, has increased by 15% in a year, with more than one million treatments being carried out. Botox training is a must-have in this environment.
Research indicates that as many as 19 million men and women in the UK, including 250,000 in London, would undergo some kind of anti-ageing treatment. Indeed, such is the popularity of Botox in London and elsewhere in the UK that for many, it is now considered a routine part of their cosmetic regime.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin) has become synonymous with patients seeking a safe and highly effective treatment to relieve fine lines, wrinkles, frown lines and furrows to the face, predominantly to the forehead, glabella (between the eyebrows) and crows’ feet.
However, Botox has many more medical benefits and is used to treat patients suffering from conditions including hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), neck spasms, writers cramp, multiple sclerosis, facial spasms, Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy.
For many, the simplicity of a Botox treatment is part of the appeal. Typically, a patient in London will visit a professional clinic for a detailed consultation in which they are able to discuss their main areas of concern and the results they are hoping to achieve. Based on this (together with their budget) an appropriate treatment programme can be determined. During the consultation, patients are asked to use certain facial muscles so doctors can observe how they work.
A fine needle is then used to inject very specific quantities of Botox just below the skin surface to targeted muscle groups. Results will be visible within three to four days of treatment with the full effect being evident after 10-14 days. A quality clinic will offer a free review and top-up injections two to four weeks after treatment to settle any residual movement. Treatments can then be expected to last between three to five months.
Botox is often called the classic lunch break treatment. Because it is so quick, usually taking around 20 minutes, patients can build it into an average day, with no disruption caused to work. Discomfort is negligible and side effects minimal so patients can immediately resume normal activity. There may be some initial redness and swelling at the injection sites, which usually dissipates after 10 minutes, when make-up can be re-applied if desired. Occasionally there is bruising and very rarely, ptosis (drooping of an eyelid). This can be treated with eye drops and should disappear within a few days.
