1. Avoid amateur injectors
Botox® shots require precise knowledge of facial anatomy. These injections have to be provided by a professional, trained & experienced physician. You have an increased risk for negative effects when an unskilled clinician injects Botox® using improper techniques. These unwanted effects may lead from drooping eyelids, asymmetry of facial features to more severe “side effects” like swallowing, speech and respiratory disorders. Ask the physician about her or his training, background and experience and check this before making the appointment for example online. How many patients did he/she treat and how satisfied were they?
2. Avoid unsanitary conditions
Botulinum toxin or any injectables should be administered in an appropriate setting like a doctor’s office, hospital or maybe a medical spa, using sterile instruments and an appropriate chair. In case of an adverse event or acute severe allergic reaction, it would be helpful to have the appropriate medication or treatment in the facility at hand. Don’t use injectables like botulinum toxin at home. Regardless of how neat and hygienic you are, your property is likely not the appropriate venue for this procedure. Besides the actual injection, it’s important that the clinician is also skilled at handling and disposing of the needles so that potential contaminants cannot be transferred.
3. Avoid tainted, watered down botulinum toxin or (dangerous) other liquids
There have been some reports of people being injected with other liquids not comparable with from liquid silicone and baby oil to tainted or watered-down botulinum toxin, sometimes with disastrous results. There are numerous types of botulinum toxin products currently available including Botox®, Botox Cosmetic®, Vistabel®, Dysport®, Azzalure®, Xeomin® & Bocouture®. These products cannot be used interchangeably and all requires special preparation and dosing. Only trust a skilled, licensed doctor / practitioner from an aesthetic practice to offer pure products in appropriate doses. There’s no bargain botulinum toxin. You normally get what you pay for, also when it comes to botulinum toxin injections. Special prices, like $99 should be a warning. The serum may be watered down, or worse. The desired result is also related to: proper storage of the product, selection of the correct dose and proper reconstitution (mix the powder with liquid).
Guideline for Botox® reconstitution:
https://hcp.botoxmedical.com/what-is-botox/Pages/botox-reconstitution-guidelines.aspx
Ask your physician to show the vial he/she is using. Make sure it is what he/she said it would be and ask for the dosage (units) used and write this down, or ask for an “injectable passport”. Be aware that for some strong / deeper wrinkles, you may need a different dosage / more units.
4. Don’t nip and then tuck
Consuming alcohol, even just a nip, before, during or soon after botulinum toxin injections can increase the risk of bruising and swelling.
5. Try to avoid substances that increase the risk of bruising and bleeding:
Heparin, warfarin, dextran, aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAID’s (similar to ibuprofen) and certain supplements like: vitamine E, ginkgo, garlic, danshen, devil's claw, dong quai & papain.
6. Make sure the doctor takes your medical history as you might not be the proper candidate for botulinum toxin.
Before receiving any botulinum toxin injections, you should tell your physician about:
• Any breathing, swallowing or bleeding problems
• Plans to have surgery
• Previous facial surgery
• Muscle weakness or atrophy in the injection area
• Drooping eyelids or any other changes to your normal facial appearance
• Allergies to any of the ingredients in Botox® or similar other brands
• Any previous treatments with any botulinum toxin
• All prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking
• Vitamins and herbal products use
• Any use of muscle relaxants
• Antibiotic injections you have received
• All diseases you suffer from (chronic or not, relevant or not), like diabetes
7. You should not have botulinum toxin injections if you:
• Have any diseases that affects your muscles and nerves
• Have a skin infection near the site to be treated
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Have a neurological disorder
• Are under 18 or over 65 years of age
• Have had a botulinum toxin injection less than 2 months ago
8. For more information check the Summary of Product Characteristics
Botox®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/112/SPC/BOTOX+100+Units
Vistabel®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/17580/SPC/vistabel
Dysport®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/870/SPC/dysport/
Azzalure®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/21985
Xeomin®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20666/SPC/xeomin%20100%20units/
Bocouture®:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/23251/SPC/bocouture/
9. In good hands and the right setting, botulinum toxin injections are safe and effective.
The Leading Injectable Centers ot the World® Quality in Beauty