Prior to any treatment you will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire and then have a thorough consultation and targeted facial examination to ensure your suitability.  We will also need to know all medications you are prescribed, so it can helpful to take a list of these along to you appointment.

Yes, for wrinkle reducing injections we offer a follow up appointment to review the results of your treatment and make any adjustments if necessary.  Please note this is not a ‘top-up’ appointment. Further treatment will only be given if clinically indicated.  Follow up appointments will be offered 2-3 weeks after your initial appointment and must be taken no later than 3 weeks.  Only one follow up appointment will be offered.  Like all appointments, 48 hours notice must be given to change this appointment. 

The results of this treatment are not seen immediately.  The effect becomes visible on average after 5-7 days, however can take up to two weeks to see hence why we offer a review appointment at this stage.  

The effects of wrinkle reducing injections last, on average, for 3-4 months.  However, some people find the results wear of sooner than this, and some people find the results last longer that this.  No guarantees are given as to the duration of effect you can expect to achieve as numerous factors can influence results and many are beyond our control. 

A reduction in wrinkles is achieved using the active ingredient Botulinum Toxin Type A.  Several companies use Botulinum Toxin Type A and they all call their product different names.  The common name BOTOX®, is actually a particular brand of Botulinum Toxin Type A. Other brands include: Azzalure, Dysport and Bocouture.  All these brands contain the same active ingredient, they only differ in what the active ingredient is mixed with.  If you would like a particular brand used for your treatment please let us know in advance.  Azzalure is used as standard at DermaSecrets.  Allergan is a more expensive brand to buy and as such incurs a £40 supplement.

The common areas treated are frown lines (glabellar region), horizontal forehead lines (frontalis muscle) and crows feet (per-orbital lines).  Additional, advanced, areas often treated include bunny (nose) lines, smokers (peri-oral) lines and chin dimples.  Botulinum Toxin can also be used to create a slight eyebrow lift.

The initial appointment for wrinkle reducing injections is 15 minutes.  This includes a consultation and administration of the toxin.  If you would like to have a seperate consultation, without receiving treatment on the same day, you can book in for a New Patient Consultation.  As Dr Vicki Gordon is a doctor, and therefore a prescriber, we are allowed to stock toxin, and prescribe and administor your treatment in one appointment.  No need for seperate prescribing appointments, saving you time and money.

Whilst the vast majority of patients enjoy their treatments without any side effects, these can and do occur.  The most common side effect reported is brusing at the site of injection, with this tending to occur most frequently during treatment of the crows feet.  A common question we are asked is “how long will the bruising last?” and the answer to this very much depends on the individual. Some people heal very quickly and others can take a week or longer to see a bruise fully resolved.  The use of arnica cream after treatment can often help resolve a bruise quicker and this will be available should it be required.  Another side effect is a change in position of the eyebrow.  Whilst this can often be beneficial, in terms of a slight eyebrow lift, we are all very particular about our eyebrows these days so please be aware that a change in shape may occur.  A small number of people also report a mild headache however this should be short lived and eased with simple analgesia, e.g. paracetamol if not contraindicated.  Finally, there is the potential for eyelid or eyebrow droop, which patients often find upsetting.  Whilst not permanent, the effects of this can last for the duration of the toxin, and we have very limityed options to correct this should it occur.

As stated above, the vast majority of patients receive their treatment without experiencing any side effects, however it is our responsibility to ensure that your are fully informed before ageeing to undertake any treatment.