Botox

Also known as: Muscle Relaxing Injections, Muscle Relaxer.

Botox has been around since the 80s and just like gold lamé it’s still going strong. It has become famous in recent years as the celebrity solution to fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles. By relaxing the facial muscles that cause your skin to crease, botox aims to smooth out the furrows on your face, chin and neck. It can even be used to treat excessive perspiration - so no need to be a sweaty Betty (or Berty) anymore.

How does it work?

It only takes a prick to bust those wrinkles - a fine needle is used to inject a miniscule amount of botox directly into the targeted muscle. This stops you from producing a chemical called acetylcholine in that area, which is needed to make the muscle contract. When the muscle doesn’t flex, the skin on top doesn’t crease and so, over time, your wrinkles will smooth out.

The treatment takes about 10-20 minutes and your youthful new look can last up to four months. If you use botox repeatedly, the muscles may become weaker, meaning that the creases and crags will stay away for longer after each treatment. It's thought to be better to use botox for a limited period, though, to make sure your face is still capable of all those subtle, natural expressions that are just as beautiful as line-free skin.

Is it for me?

If you have wrinkles or frown lines, botox could help you to wind back a few years. It works particularly well on the forehead and around the eyes - chasing those crows feet away. Some clinics also offer botox to people who suffer from excessive sweating (called hyperhidrosis) to freeze up their hyperactive sweat glands.

Botox is a non-surgical treatment, but if you’re afraid of needles, or unsure about the effects, a qualified practitioner will be able to give you honest advice about whether or not it’s right for you.

Side effects that have been reported include nausea, headaches and a drooping of neighbouring muscles. It's also said that drinking alcohol during or directly after treatment can reduce its effectiveness, so it might be an idea to skip the champagne breakfast if you want to be truly fresh-faced.

What is botox?

Botox is the shelf name for ‘botulinum toxin’ a powerful natural poison, which was originally developed to treat eye-related muscle disorders such as such as lazy eye. It comes from the same bacteria that cause botulism (a severe form of food poisoning), but, injected in small quantities, it’s deemed safe for cosmetic use.