Botox Helsinki and Vantaa

No, it is not.

Many people considering botulinum treatment start the process either through an image consultation or an in-clinic consultation.

However, consultation is not necessary or compulsory. You can book an appointment directly for botulinum treatment without risk.

A botulinum toxin appointment always starts with a thorough initial consultation, and if the professional finds that for some reason the botulinum toxin is not suitable for the client, the treatment is changed to another or not carried out at all.

If the client has booked an appointment for botulinum treatment and the treatment cannot be carried out, the appointment becomes a free consultation.

During the first two weeks, the result is constantly evolving. The treatment is most effective 10-14 days after the procedure. This is the best time to assess the results of the treatment.

You can come for a check-up 2-4 weeks after your treatment. If necessary, the treatment areas can be supplemented free of charge at the follow-up visit.

A control visit is not compulsory.

For example, one zone could be one of the following:

• the frown lines (vertical lines between your eyes)
• forehead, horizontal hair
• expression lines at the outer corner of the eye (crow's feet, laugh lines)
• bunny lines (bunny lines)
• nose tip lift
• lip flip
• vertical lines on the upper lip (smoker's lines)
• gummy smile
• downturned corners of the mouth
• uneven or tense jaw tip

Botulinum toxin works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. This is because botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the release of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) at the nerve endings. When botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine, the muscles cannot contract normally, leading to muscle relaxation.

The effect lasts for several months. At the end of the treatment period, the lines in the treated area will gradually reappear unless the treatment is repeated.

The treatment is based on muscle relaxation.

Botulinum toxin is not injected into the lips - although it is sometimes injected into the muscles around the lips.

Botulinum toxin treatments can be administered by doctors, dentists or licensed health professionals authorised to practise in Finland. A nurse may administer botulinum treatments if all the following conditions are met:

• The nurse has received training in botulinum toxin injection.
• He or she has written authorisation from a qualified doctor or dentist to provide treatment.
• He or she receives treatment in a healthcare facility under the direction and supervision of a doctor or dentist.

A nurse may perform aesthetic botox treatments under the following conditions:

• Treatment is provided in a health care unit.
• The treatment is carried out under the actual supervision of a doctor or dentist, i.e. the supervising body is in the same unit and can intervene if necessary.
• The nurse has received adequate and appropriate training in Botox treatments.
• The nurse has written authorisation from the responsible doctor/dentist to carry out Botox aesthetic treatments in the unit.
• If the nurse is self-employed, he or she must be authorised by Avi/Valvira to administer Botox treatments.

When it's done by a trained professional, it's safe. As with all aesthetic procedures, botulinum treatments carry side effects and risks. The most common side effects include headache, eyelid drooping, redness, skin tightness, localised muscle weakness, facial pain, numbness and nausea.

Other side effects may be related to the injection (swelling, redness, pain, puffiness, tingling and swelling). Adverse reactions, possibly related to the spread of toxin away from the injection site, which may be serious, have been reported very rarely with botulinum toxin (e.g. muscle weakness, difficulty in speaking or swallowing, or pneumonia).

Off-label treatment is the use of a botulinum preparation that is not mentioned in the summary of product characteristics.

The officially approved aesthetic treatment areas for botulinum preparations include frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes. Off-label botulinum treatments are used for other areas beyond these approved indications.

Both on-label and off-label treatments are safe when performed by a properly trained, experienced aesthetic medical professional.

Both fillers and botulinum are used to reduce wrinkles and other age-related changes. However, they work in different ways and have largely different uses.

Botulinum is a prescription medicine:

• A neuromodulator that works by blocking nerve impulses in muscles, resulting in a significant but temporary paralysis of muscle activity.
• It is commonly used in the treatment of upper facial lines, as well as in the treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), bruxism and migraines.
• The effect usually lasts 3-6 months.
• Treatments may be carried out by doctors and dentists or by nurses working under their effective supervision. The doctor/dentist who wrote the prescription is responsible for the treatment.

Fillers are medical devices:

• Fillers are usually gel-like substances (often hyaluronic acid). Fillers are not injected into the muscle but into the skin or under the skin. The purpose is to fill wrinkles, increase the volume of subcutaneous tissue and restore a youthful fullness to the face.
• Fillers can be used to add fullness to the lips, lift the cheekbones or fill the nasolabial folds, for example.
• The effect usually lasts between 6 and 24 months, depending on the type of filler and the treatment area.
• Anyone in Finland is allowed to perform filler treatments. However, for safety reasons, it is important to have filler treatments carried out in the office of a licensed healthcare professional. Filler treatments in high-risk areas (e.g. nose shaping, frown lines) should be left to a medical professional.

Summary:

Botox relaxes muscles, and filler fills wrinkles. The form of treatment used is chosen individually according to the treatment objective. Often, botulinum and filler treatments are combined, so that the upper face is treated with botulinum and the middle and lower face with fillers.

The super shiny forehead of yesteryear does not appeal to most of our clients; when completely still, it can look unnatural. The treatment can be done in such a way that expression and movement of the forehead is possible, even if the lines disappear. Dosage is the key. Be sure to let our professional know what kind of result you are looking for.

Our staff have a deep understanding of muscle anatomy and facial structure. This in-depth knowledge enables us to achieve accurate and natural results.

Botulinum is not injected into the lips. If you have seen unnaturally filled lips, they have not been injected with botulinum, but with filler, using the wrong technique and the wrong dose. Botulinum can be injected into the muscles around the lips (lip flip, gummy smile, mouth lift, smoker’s lines), but the results of botulinum treatments for the lower lips are very subtle.

Botox lips

• If possible, avoid taking medicines containing ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Burana, Aspirin) for 7-10 days before botulinum treatment. Eating these medicines increases the risk of bruising.
• Prescription medicines that thin the blood must not be taken without the permission of the doctor treating you.
• Other medication should also be discussed during the consultation.
• It is also a good idea to take a 7-10 day break from some supplements. These include omega products, fish oil capsules, gingko biloba and vitamin E supplements. Eating these supplements increases the sensitivity to bruising.
• Do not drink alcohol in the 24 hours before treatment. Alcohol increases the risk of bruising and bleeding from the injection sites.
• Do not remove hair from the treated area (e.g. wax, plucking) during the 24 hours before treatment.
• Botulinum treatments are almost painless. However, if you are nervous about the pain, you can take a painkiller containing paracetamol an hour before the treatment.
• If you have a history of cold sores, consider taking a prophylactic before botulinum treatment.
• Take care not to burn your skin in the sun before the procedure.
• Eat before coming for botulinum treatment. A small snack is enough.

After Botulinum treatment, you can return to your normal daily activities immediately. However, it is advisable to avoid sweating for a few days. Aftercare instructions will be discussed at the clinic and you will also receive written instructions to take with you.

Aesthetic side effects, such as a drooping eyelid, can occur if the treatment is administered incorrectly or injected into the wrong muscle. For first-time botulinum treatments, a conservative approach is often taken, with a smaller initial dose. If needed, the dose can be adjusted at the follow-up visit to minimize the risk of unwanted aesthetic effects.

The common side effects will go away on their own:

• slight swelling
• a bump at the injection site
• redness and tingling
• bruising
• headache and nausea
• vertigo

Even the rare side effects are transient:

• flu symptoms
• inflammation
• muscle twitching
• visual impairment
• dry mouth
• anxiety

Serious side effects are rare. If the client suffers from an undetected neuromuscular disorder, breathing or swallowing difficulties are possible. If these occur, medical advice should be sought.

Botox side effects