Botox

Botox is used for treatment of facial lines and excessive perspiration. Botox treatments are provided at Palm Clinic Auckland by some of the most experienced Botox doctors in New Zealand.

Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world today with millions of treatments performed safely world wide. The main cosmetic use of Botox is to reduce facial lines caused by repeated muscle contraction such as frown lines, crow's feet and horizontal forehead lines but Botox is also used around the lip, chin, neck.  The Botox before and after photos below demonstrate the natural results that can be achieved for the crows feet area.

Botox can also be used to slightly upturn the mouth corners, reduce 'bunny scrunch' lines, adjust eyebrow shape, soften lip lines and smooth a 'popply' chin. It can reduce neck bands and jowls and slim down a wide jaw(masseter muscle). It can be used to stop excessive sweating of the armpits or palms of the hand. Botox is even used to treat migraines.

As Botox can have effects on facial expressions and therefore the general impression of the face, it is very important to have a highly trained practitioner who understands facial anatomy and balance. Many clients need an 'adjusted' treatment to suit their particular face shape or desire, and at Palm Clinic in Auckland, that's our forte. We prefer to see our clients looking 'better' rather than 'Botoxed'.

We have a team of highly trained doctors and nurses, led by Dr John Barrett, who is one of NZ's most experienced Botox injectors with 13 years' experience. He has trained the Palm Clinic team to his same high standards. Dr Sarah Hart (as seen on TV1's "Ten Year's Younger in Ten Days") has been injecting for 6 years and trains other doctors around New Zealand in Botox techniques for Allergan who are the manufacturers of Botox. Dr Hart is also on the International Advisory Board for Allergan who are the manufacturers of Botox. So you can be assured you are getting some of the most highly qualified Botox practitioners in New Zealand. Dr Sam Dunn, Dr Robyn Baker and Clare Gallie RN  complete the team and have all been trained to the same exacting standards. We care about you getting the best possible results for the best possible price by the best trained practitioners.

Our Palm Clinic team like to personalise your Botox treatment to suit your face. Whether you wish to have a very subtle, natural result or maximum wrinkle reduction, we can adjust the dose and pattern of injection to suit. We may suggest you retain some lines, or add in one of our many other treatment options, in order to achieve an extremely natural result.

Testimonial

I was incredibly apprehensive about getting any facial enhancements
and really worried what my family and friends would think. I approached
the palm clinic and the receptionist instantly put me at ease. I was excited
when I arrived and immediately felt safe in the hands of Dr Sam Dunn.
He carefully explained the in outs of the procedure and explained ways
in which I could save money over time. It was a pleasurable experience
and I'm so happy with the results.
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Botox

What is Botox?

Botox is a muscle relaxant registered in New Zealand for the treatment of frown lines, crow's feet, horizontal forehead lines, excessive perspiration, blepharospasm and strabismus. Botox is also used 'off-label' for lip lines, down turned mouth, bunny scrunch lines, neck lines, saggy jawline, slimming a square face, migraines and many other uses.  Botox is a naturally purified protein derived from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum which is then put through rigorous changes in the laboratory to make it safe.

The Benefits of Botox

• You can resume normal activities immediately after Botox has been used
• It only takes 2-3 days for Botox to begin to take effect (7 days for full effect)
• Botox treatments lasts from 3-6 months
• No local anaesthetic is required for Botox injections
• You will look younger and fresher.

How does Botox Work?
Facial expressions occur when the brain sends a signal to muscle tissue. Botox blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. This relaxes the muscles to stop them contracting, leaving the overlying skin smoother and less wrinkled. Botox works only on the specific muscles injected leaving surrounding muscles to function as usual, producing normal facial expression without the wrinkles. Botox will not "freeze" your facial expressions because it only works where you want it to, and can be used in a pattern that retains your natural look.¹

How are Botox Treatments Performed?
Botox is injected using a disposable syringe with a very fine needle. A very small amount of the Botox powder is diluted with saline and injected very precisely into several locations on the face. For frown lines this usually involves 5 tiny Botox injections. For excessive sweating several Botox injections are required. Botox treatments take around 15 minutes, depending on the number of areas you wish to treat. You can resume normal activities immediately after Botox has been used. It takes 2-3 days for Botox to begin to take effect (7 days for full effect). Botox treatments lasts from 3-6 months. No local anaesthetic is required.

Botox Safety

Botox has a very good track record of safety in over 20 years of clinical use including cosmetic use and use in children with cerebral palsy to release tight muscles, blepharospasm (facial tics) and a wide range of other uses.

Bruising and slight tenderness at the site of injection is possible at any injection site.  Rarely Botox or Dysport can migrate and cause unwanted weakness in nearby muscles.  After frown and forehead injection there can be temporary heaviness of an eyelid or eyebrow lasting two to three weeks.  Extremely rarely temporary double vision and dry eyes have been described after treatment of crows feet.  Neck weakness and difficulty swallowing or speaking have been reported with high dose treatment of the neck.  High doses around the lips may prevent whistling or drinking through a straw.  You may experience reduced bite strength after treatment of the jaw (masseter) muscles.

Botox Cost

The cost of Botox varies depending on the number of units used.  Botox is charged at $20 per unit.  On average a frown area uses 20 units but a brow might only need 8 units and the upper lip typically only needs four units.  Your Palm Clinic doctor will work out the right number of units for you and will discuss the total cost before proceeding so there are no surprises.  Because everyone has different size and shaped muscles there will be a variance in cost between individuals.  Any minor top ups required in the week or two after the initial treatment are charged at the same cost of $20 per unit but usually top ups only require a very small number of units and therefore the top up cost is usually minimal. Top ups are not usually required.

¹ _{Benedetto A. The Cosmetic Uses of Botulinum toxin type A. Int J Dermatol 1999, 38:6641.655}