What is Botox?
Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin. It is a purified protein which, when injected with a very fine needle into selected muscle groups, relaxes and re-educates the muscles thus reducing the appearance of lines. The effect is particularly pleasing in the frown and worry lines of the forehead, the laughter lines or crows' feet and in certain areas around the mouth. Discomfort is minimal and the treatment is over in a matter of minutes.

Botox has also proved an excellent treatment for muscle spasms affecting the eyes, face and neck and for foot problems in children with cerebral palsy and other conditions involving muscular dysfunction.

Because it is a prescription drug and does need to be injected, people should only accept to be treated by a doctor or by a medical professional such as a nurse under the supervision of a specially-trained doctor.

What are the side-effects?
There are minimal side-effects if properly administered. After the treatment, the skin is slightly pink and can be easily covered with a little make up.

However, Botox is becoming more and more popular and is accessible to the general public, not just celebrities. As demand has increased, more and more non-medical therapists are offering the treatment. It is crucial that people check the credentials of their treatment provider and ensure that the appointment includes an initial consultation before the treatment goes ahead. There have been some cases highlighted in the media of people who had been over-treated. Whilst the results are neither damaging nor permanent, they are certainly undesirable.

Is the effect immediate - and how long does it last?
Gradually the Botox weakens the muscle with the effect starting at about four days and the maximum effect appearing by 14 days. The effect of the first injection will last three to four months with subsequent injections lasting longer and longer as the muscle is being used less and less.

Can anyone be treated with Botox?
People of all ages can use it - and do.

Botox for underarm sweating
You might be a sufferer of Hyperhidrosis, in which case this treatment could change your life as Botox can be used to eliminate underarm sweating, each treatment lasting an average of six months. Botox as a cure for sweating is something which is largely unknown by the public since of course it is rather less glamorous than facial rejuvenation and therefore less widely reported.

The 15-minute treatment involves the application of 20-30 pin-prick injections of Botox into the underarm area. Small amounts of Botox are placed just under the skin of the armpit stopping the nerve signals that control the sweating process. There are minimal side-effects and no recovery time. The sweating starts to reduce 3-4 days after the treatment.