Botulinum toxin injection treatment is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the UK. If you are considering getting the treatment, it is important to have all the information. One of the crucial pieces of information to have is how much it costs. This article explores the cost of botulinum toxin injections in the UK and the factors determining the cost.
Botulinum toxin injections relax the muscles and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. They are used for both medical and cosmetic reasons. The injection is an alternative to more invasive surgical procedures. With many clients going for treatment getting all the right information is important. In the United Kingdom, botulinum toxin injection for cosmetic reasons is unavailable on the NHS. Therefore, one must plan to cater for the treatment from their pocket. It is important to know how much they cost. The product’s cost is a function of multiple things, including, but not limited to, location, type of anti-wrinkle toxin, and the number of injections needed to relax a muscle.
What Is Botulinum Toxin Injection?
Botox injection is a trading name for botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is produced from the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Nigam & Nigam (2010) explained that Botulinum toxins are neurotoxin proteins that affect nerves and cause muscle weakening. The injections can be used for cosmetic and medical reasons. Nigam & Nigam (2010) mentioned that it works by weakening or freezing certain muscles or blocking certain nerves when injected into the muscles under the skin; the toxins cause the muscles to relax, causing the skin to appear smooth. The effect can last about three months, depending on the treatment.
Uses of Botulinum Toxin Injection
Botulinum toxins are used for medical and cosmetic reasons. Medically it is used to treat conditions such as headaches and hyperhidrosis, which causes excessive sweating by blocking the sweat glands. (Satriyasa, 2019) The botulinum treats hyper salivation and hemifacial spasm. The ant-wrinkle injection is used in cosmetic treatment to address signs of aging. The Botulinum toxin is injected into the muscles or glands in dosage tailored according to individual patients and needs. It is used to correct fine lines, creases, and smooth wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. In addition, botulinum toxin injection is used to raise the eyebrows, lips, and tip of the nose. It is also used to slim the jawline and treat a gummy smile.
How Much Is Botulinum Toxin Injection in the UK
Botulinum toxin injections are priced per unit, and several units can be used in treatment. The prices vary from ￡100 to ￡350. The cost could go higher than ￡350 go higher in some instances. The price of botulinum toxin injection depends on the location, clinic, the area injected and the amount used. One’s decision to find a good clinic for the treatment should not be based on how low their costs are but on how credible, experienced, and qualified the medical practitioner is.
Risks of Botulinum Toxin Injection
Though botulinum toxin injection is safe, it has some risks. Satriyasa (2019) pointed out that botulinum toxin injection has complications like headaches, flu-like symptoms, and nausea, lasting less than a day after the treatment. Common side effects of botulinum injections are redness, bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site. These subside as the botulinum toxin injection takes effect. Kroumpouzos et al. (2021) explained that other undesired effects could occur on the surrounding muscles, including droopy eyelids and asymmetry for botulinum toxin injection into the forehead. However, it will wear off after a while. Witmanowski & Błochowiak (2020) mentioned that overuse of the injections could weaken the muscles. Hence, one must wait until the toxin is worn off before injecting more; this makes it crucial to get the treatment from a skilled and experienced cosmetic doctor who knows how much to use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Botulinum Toxin Injection
How Long Does Botulinum Toxin Injection Last?
When getting the treatment, one must know that the effects are not permanent. The results show full within a week of the treatment. These results last around three to six months. One then needs to go for treatment to get more botulinum toxin injection. A cosmetic doctor will advise the patient when they can get more treatment after the initial one.
Who Cannot Get a Botulinum Toxin Injection?
There are certain conditions where botulinum toxin injection is not recommended. Witmanowski & Błochowiak (2020) explained that pregnant women and lactating mothers are not advised to get botulinum toxin injections. Patients under certain medications or conditions, such as myasthenia, should not get the botulinum toxin injection; if they must, it should come from medical advice before getting the procedure done. During the consultation, the cosmetic doctor asks the clients for information about their health before prescribing the treatment to ensure their safety.
What Does the Botulinum Toxin Injection Procedure Involve?
A cosmetic doctor examines the desired area, marks it, numbs the surface, and then administers the injection into the intended muscles. One can be asked to move the muscles to help locate the best place to inject the toxin. The treatment does not take much time. Results are not seen immediately; it takes up to three days for the botulinum to start working and a week or longer.
What to Avoid After Botulinum Toxin Injection
One can resume normal activities after the procedure, but most cosmetic doctors advise against vigorous activities. One should also avoid rubbing or massaging the area where they were treated. Most doctors also recommend against lying down for at least three hours after the treatment.
Conclusion
Botulinum toxin injection prices vary depending on the location, clinic, where the injection is made, and how much is used. Botulinum toxin injections are priced per unit, and the number of units used varies. In the UK, botulinum toxin injection ranges from ￡100 to ￡350 with a higher possibility, considering all the conditions. Since cosmetic use of botulinum toxin is not covered in the NHS, the client needs to research beforehand to know the different costs and determine which one is best for them. One should consider looking for a practitioner that is highly skilled in the area and has enough experience.
References
Kroumpouzos, G., Kassir, M., Gupta, M., Patil, A., &Goldust, M. (2021). Complications of botulinum toxin a: an update review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(6), 1585-1590.
Nigam, P. K., & Nigam, A. (2010). Botulinum toxin. Indian journal of dermatology, 55(1), 8.
Satriyasa, B. K. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botulinum toxin injection ) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 12, 223.
Witmanowski, H., & Błochowiak, K. (2020). The whole truth about botulinum toxin–a review. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/PostępyDermatologiiiAlergologii, 37(6), 853-861.
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