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Botox – the A -Z Guide

Cosmetic Courses; Banner showing theBotox - a - z Guide

Anti-wrinkle injections, commonly known as Botox® injections can be used to reduce the appearance of lines on your face including frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines.
If you’re considering anti-wrinkle injections but want more information our A-Z of Botox will help to answer some of those questions:

Aftercare

Aftercare is important in order to get the best results from your botox® treatment. It is advised that after the first 30-60 mins after having botox you move your facial muscles regularly, smile a lot! Take it easy, get comfy in front of the TV or why not catch up on that book you have been meaning to read. You will need to remain upright and avoid touching or applying pressure to the area. For the next 24 hours Avoid any strenuous exercise and any hot baths or saunas. Any swelling after treatment is completely normal and can be helped with ice, and any slight bruising can be helped with Arnica gel.

Botulinum Toxin Type A | A-Z of Botox

Botulinum toxin type A is a protein more commonly known as Botox® which is actually a brand name just like Bocouture, Azzalure, Dysport and Xeomin. Botox® is made from the bacteria that cause botulism. Botulinum toxin type A works by blocking the nerve activity in muscles which causes a temporary reduction in muscle activity.

Consultations | A-Z of Botox

Cosmetic Courses; picture showing a consultationConsultations before Botox® are essential. Everyone’s face is different so what your sister’s best friend got is going to be different to what is suitable for you. Once you arrive at your consultation you will meet your practitioner and you will be able to discuss areas of concern to you. Your practitioner will also go through the possible complications of botox the common of these include swelling, bruising, headaches, and redness at injection site, everything will be discussed in detail and you will also be able to ask any questions before deciding to go ahead or not.

Don’t Drink | A-Z of Botox

It is highly recommended to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before and 24 hours after having received the botox® treatment. Not drinking will minimize the likelihood of side effects and reactions. Droopiness is a side effect of botox® especially in the eyelids or eyebrows which can happen when botox® is injected too low, too deep or even too much, always get your botox® done by an experienced medical professional for the best results.

Eyes | A-Z of Botox

Eyes are a common area that people have concerns over and look to botox for help. It is so important that you look a professional practitioner for all treatments of botox® but especially for any treatment that involves injecting around the eye to avoid any un-wanted side effects. Botox® can be injected into the periorbital area to lift tired eyes giving a fresh faced look.

Frozen Face | A-Z of Botox

Frozen Face is a common misconception about having a botox treatment. If done correctly, botox® should not leave you with a frozen face and you should be able to regain natural movement. Make sure you research your practitioners understand that you may not reach your desired effect until after at least 2-3 treatments. Unfortunately if you do end up with a frozen face then the only cure is time, and you will have to wait for it to wear off.

Gummy Smile | A-Z of Botox

Gummy Smile is a phenomenon which causes the upper lip too rises too far above the upper teeth, exposing gums when you smile. If you are hiding away a gummy smile then all is not lost! A small amount of botox® can be injected at the junction of nostrils and nose to mouth fold to relax the hyperactive muscle which causes the lift.

Hyperhidrosis | A-Z of Botox

Hyperhidrosis is actually a common condition where a person sweats excessively. Botox® is licensed in the UK for treating localised products hyperhidrosis in the armpits, it works by blocking the nerves that supply the eccrine glands which then prevents the glands from producing sweat. It is important to remember however that this is not a cure for hyperhidrosis, your nerve endings do return to normal and the sweating will gradually return, at this point you should go back to your practitioner to receive the treatment again. Hyperhidrosis treatment would be suitable for hands, faces and hairline.

Injections | A-Z of Botox

Botox® despite its powdered initial form is an injectable. It is also rarely just a single injection and will generally consist of a series of injections to the upper face although this varies depending on your treatment type. Patients can be pre-treated with a topical aesthetic before treatment which makes them virtually painless. The needle itself is small and each injection is very quick and therefore the discomfort, if any, is over very quickly.

Jowls | A-Z of Botox

Jowls are a natural part of ageing. As your skin starts to lose elasticity you may notice the lower part of your face such as your cheek and jaw areas begin to sag down. Although it is not a common use of the anti-wrinkle treatment because botox targets the muscle you can focus it on to the muscle in your neck that causes wrinkling, sagging and a jowl-like appearance in this area. Using botox® to relax this muscle means that the sagging is reduced.

Knowledge is king | A-Z of Botox

Knowledge is king! Before getting any treatment, especially an injectable like botox® it is always important to do your research and make sure you fully understand the process involved and the recommended aftercare advice. If you are unsure of anything make sure you make a note of the question and ask your practitioner at your consultation.

Licenced | A-Z of Botox

Cosmetic Courses; Picture showing GMC Logo  Botox® in the UK is classed a prescription only medicine which means it can only officially  be prescribed by a doctor, dentist or independent nurse prescriber. The prescriber will take  liability for the administration of the drug under their supervision. The liability for patient  safety rests with the prescriber. Always ask to see a GMC, (General Medical Council) NMC  (Nursing and Midwifery Council) or GDC (General Dental Council) registration before letting your practitioner start botox treatment.

Migraines | A-Z of Botox

Migraines are quite severe headaches which effects on average 1 in 7 people in the UK. But did you know that botox® is reported to be an effective treatment option for adults who suffer with chronic migraines. Although the exact reason why it works is still officially unknown it has been suggested that treatment works by blocking the pain pathways in certain nerve cells.

Natural Results | A-Z of Botox

Our philosophy on botox® is less is more. It is our aim to not let you leave the clinic looking like someone else, but to leave looking like yourself, but rejuvenated. You will obviously want people to notice that you look different, but not allow them to figure out what exactly it is that has changed. So consider having your botox® treatment in stages, let your practitioner know you want natural results and follow your aftercare advice to the letter!

On-going treatments & Other procedures | A-Z of Botox

Botox® is an on-going treatment, one session is not going to make your wrinkles and lines disappear forever. No matter how great you look afterwards, you will generally need to return every 12 weeks for a top-up. At the same time, if you have botox®, and decide it’s not for you, after 12 weeks the effects should have all faded. Other procedures may be offered to compliment your anti-wrinkle treatments; these could include Dermal Fillers, Skin Masks and other Skin Rejuvenating processes.

Practitioners

Picking your practitioner sounds like a hard task, but it doesn’t have to be. Feel free to explore your options and visit as many clinics and practitioners as you want before deciding on one you feel comfortable with. Thoroughly research the procedure and the practitioner, don’t just rely on the practitioner’s/clinic’s own website and don’t make your decision based on the price. We highly suggest using the SaveFace guides to ensure you are in safe hands at all times.

Quick Results

Quick results are not realistic. After having a botox® treatment you are recommended to wait at least 10 days to start seeing the desired effects which will peak at around 2 weeks following your first injection. If you are still not happy after this time then you can contact your clinic or practitioner to discuss your options.

Review

At Aurora, after any botox® appointment we always offer a review appointment 2-3 weeks because it can take up to 2 weeks for the effects of the treatment to actually fully take effect. We get you to come back just so that we can make sure that you have got the best results and sometimes we need to tweak it a little bit just to make it better for you and it just makes sure that you’re getting the best treatment possible.

Sausage

It all started with a sausage! You may, or may not know that the history of Botulinum toxin type A goes all the way back to a poisoned sausage. Botox® is a toxin produced by bacteria first discovered in poorly prepared sausages during the 18th Century. It was named after the Latin for sausage – botulus.

Timings

Treatment times for botox can vary, it often depends on the amount you are having and where. Generally botox® injections take around 20 minutes to complete.  Timing is everything with botox®, if you are planning on getting treatment before a special occasion or event then it is recommended you leave 2 weeks between the treatment and the event to look at your best.

Uses

Uses of botox® vary from cosmetic to medical. Medicinal uses include the treatment for Hyperhidrosis, Urinary incontinence, Migraines, Tennis elbow, Bell’s palsy, Squint, and MS and for controlling muscle spasms for children with cerebral palsy to name a few but research is improving all the time to widen its usage.

Vials

When your practitioner receives botox from the manufacturer it will come in avial. Inside the vial is a will be a white powder which is Botox® before injection the powder will need to be reconstituted. The extremely fine powder is dissolved in saline (salt-water) and it then becomes a completely clear solution which is then ready to be administered by syringe.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles and Lines are the common reason for people to choose to have Botox treatments. Upper face treatment can include Forehead lines, frown lines to crow’s feet and bunny lines whereas a lower face treatment would cover marionette, lip, chin and neck lines which can all be reduced with the regular treatment of Botox.

X-Rated

Cosmetic Courses; Picture showing handX-Rated not in nature but in age. Botulinum toxin type A, more commonly referred to as Botox® is actually only licensed for patients aged 18 and over. Here at Aurora Skin Clinics, we would certainly find it unethical to even consider treating anyone under 18, and would never treat anyone unless there was a clinical need. We don’t treat anyone without a full and thorough consultation.

Your face is unique

Everyone’s face is unique meaning treatment for everyone is different. For example; if you have a weak frown then less Botoxwould be used compared to someone with a stronger frown with larger muscles who would require more Botox. It is important to always have a consultation before any injectable appointment so your face can be looked at and a course of treatment which is suitable for you can be decided on.

Zinc supplement

Our final letter on the A-Z of Botox. According to a small study carried out by researchers in the USA, it was found that taking a Zinc supplement could make the effects of Botox® injections last approximately 30% longer. The official supplement is actually known as ‘Zytaze’, and is a combination of zinc and the enzyme phytase. Zinc is thought to be necessary in order for Botox® to act as a neurotoxin. And phytase is an enzyme that helps to slow down the breakdown of zinc in the body. So combining the two into one pill effectively boosts the neurotoxic effects of Botox® on the muscles in the face. Further studies will be required to test the safety and efficacy of Zytaze. But the early signs for the supplement as a beauty booster look promising.

To find out more about our Botox and Filler Courses, or if you would like to become a model with Cosmetic Courses for this treatment, please call the team on 01844 390110 or fill in our quick consent form.

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Could better cosmetic training help ‘clean up’ the aesthetic industry?

 

Newsletter (7)

 

With shocking celebrity photos and a never-ending supply of horror stories on Botched Bodies, as aestheticians we’re up against it. But what can we do to clean up the reputation of the cosmetic industry?

The long-awaited Keogh Report, published in 2013, found what most of us in the industry already know. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are grossly under-regulated.

And while the report made several recommendations, so far it hasn’t translated into new legislation.

So in the absence of strong regulations, it’s our responsibility as practitioners to do what we can to reassure patients. And there’s a couple of important ways we can do that.

Cosmetic Training 

UntitledUnfortunately, lax rules have created conditions where unqualified, unscrupulous practitioners have been allowed to flourish. 

It’s hugely disappointing that Botox and fillers can be legally injected by people without any medical training. So if we want to raise standards, those of us who recognise the need for proper training need to make our voices heard.

Pursuing the best, most comprehensive cosmetic training we can, and displaying our credentials, is vital. We need to create a ‘race to the top’, where the best practitioners help decide the new norm. 

Talking to patients about our training, in the form of newsletters and displayed certificates, will help raise awareness – and put clear water between us and unqualified practitioners.

We need to make sure patients expect their practitioners to be medically qualified, and have pursued additional cosmetic training. 

Our patients trust us. So it’s our duty not only to make sure we’ve pursued the best training we can, and are updating it as needed, but to make sure they know how important that is. 

Accreditation

Cosmetic Courses: Save Face Certification LogoAccreditation is voluntary, so by seeking it out you’re sending a powerful message to your patients, and by extension, the industry. The bare minimum is not enough.

The organisation Save Face was founded in 2013 as a direct response to the Keogh Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions.

Their Save Face Scheme is a voluntary register of cosmetic practitioners who have been thoroughly vetted by doctors.

It gives independent accreditation to practitioners and clinics who complete a rigorous cosmetic training programme and demonstrate that their practice complies with robust standards. 

They check professional credentials, interview practitioners, and visit clinics to ensure they’re fit for purpose, all products are stored correctly and data protection is adhered to. 

Accreditation is a reassuring ‘shorthand’ for patients. A prominent logo lets them know that their practitioner conforms to certain standards, and has nothing to hide.

The more practitioners seek and achieve accreditation, the more patients will start to look for it as a minimum standard.

At Cosmetic Courses, we’ve teamed up with Save Face to promote their enhanced accreditation programme to our delegates. All those who meet the criteria and achieve Save Face accreditation are entitled to a discount on further training with us.

As professionals, the power is in our hands to bring about the changes we want to see in the industry.

Educating ourselves and our patients, and seeking accreditation, are powerful tools to help raise the bar when it comes to patients’ expectations. And in time, those clinics and practitioners who don’t measure up will either have to take steps to improve, or fall by the wayside.

Cosmetic Courses offer cosmetic training to medical professionals looking to move into the aesthetics industry. We have training centres throughout the UK, including Bucks, Birmingham, Leeds, London, Kent and Essex. For information on any of our cosmetic training courses, call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

 

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More training needed before entering cosmetic industry, doctors and patients say

As the law stands, newly qualified consultants can walk straight into the operating theatre and perform the full repertoire of cosmetic surgery procedures for anyone who asks.  But in a recent survey, both doctors and patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with the status quo – and called for more specialist training for cosmetic surgeons to be made a legal requirement. The poll was conducted on 2,000 women and 500 doctors to coincide with the Clinical Cosmetic and Reconstructive Expo (the UK’s biggest plastic surgery conference), which takes place next month. 93% of the doctors surveyed said that they didn’t feel newly qualified surgeons were of the required standard to provide complex specialist surgeries like facelift and breast enlargement. Even though the law says otherwise, and NHS training is deemed to be sufficient.

Which leaves a vanishingly small one in 14 clinicians who felt things were fine the way they are, and no accredited training was necessary. Three-quarters of the patients surveyed also said they would feel more confident having cosmetic surgery if they knew their surgeon had undertaken further specialist training.

When asked about non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including injectables and laser treatment, both doctors and patients agreed that comprehensive specialist training was necessary. A minority of the doctors surveyed (around a third) thought medical professionals should have a minimum of three months’ training before being allowed to perform laser treatment.

Calls and campaigns to improve standards in the industry seem to be gathering momentum. This poll comes only days after Health Education England (HEE) released the first part of their review into training for non-surgical procedures.

And the organisation Save Face is currently creating a voluntary register of non-surgical cosmetic practitioners who have been thoroughly vetted by doctors before accreditation.

We will keep a close eye on any outcomes arising from this new scrutiny on what has hitherto been a largely unregulated industry. From our point of view as medical professionals, anything that improves patient safety and raises the standard for those entering the cosmetic arena can only be healthy for the industry – and improve its reputation beyond measure.

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The Health Education Review – what does it mean for you?

After the publication of the long-awaited Keogh Report last year, Health Education England are working with regulators and royal colleges to review the qualifications required to carry out non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the Health Education Review . Their recommendations are expected at the end of April.

The outcome of the review could be a pivotal moment in the industry, both for professionals and patients. Our team have been following HEE’s research as closely as we can, including attending one of their recent workshops, to keep up to speed with any developments.

So what might the HEE review mean for professionals in the industry?

In our opinion, any measures to improve standards can only be good for the industry and benefit both patients and practitioners. We would absolutely welcome any reforms that mean our delegates can go out and practice the treatments they have learned with us as confidently and safely as possible.

Of course, while the outcomes of the review are as yet unknown, we currently don’t know whether HEE will suggest any changes. But if new recommendations are made, we will work with all our delegates, past and present, to ensure they meet the new standards.

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality aesthetic training in the UK, and best practice is always our aim. With that in mind, we will continue to keep abreast of any changes and be sure to keep you informed along the way.

Cosmetic Courses are one of the UK’s most established providers of medical aesthetic training, with over 10 years’ experience to date. Our expert team come from a variety of medical backgrounds, and diverse industries, and all make it their business to keep at the very forefront of developments in the industry. For more information on Cosmetic Courses or the training we offer, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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Meet the Cosmetic Courses team at the ACE Conference

This weekend, 8-9th March, Cosmetic Courses are exhibiting at the ACE Conference If you’re going to be there, come along and say hello!

The ACE Conference is one of the biggest events in the industry, and it’s our first time exhibiting, so we’re really looking forward to it.

Lots of preparations have been made over the last few weeks, with the whole team working hard behind the scenes. Now it’s almost here, we’re excited to find out what the conference is like, and get the chance to meet lots of people in the industry.

You’ll be able to find us at Stand 31, where we’ll be offering lots of practical help for people looking to start or develop their aesthetic careers, including:

  • * Exclusive discounts – book a course during the conference and receive £100 discount!
  • * Advice and information on new training courses
  • * Upcoming course dates
  • * Business advice

On the Saturday afternoon at 3pm, our Clinical Director, Adrian Richards, and Aesthetic Nurse and Trainer, Mel Recchia, will be performing a live demonstration of lip augmentation with dermal fillers at ACE Conference.

The idea is to give people an introduction to the treatment, as well a taster of what they can expect when they come along to one of our courses. So if you are coming to the conference and interested in learning lip filler techniques, it should be well worth you coming along.

If you don’t have tickets for the event but think you might want to attend, the ACE conference takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, and entry to the exhibition is free (though if you want to attend lectures, seminars and masterclasses, a charge is payable).

For anyone who is going to be there, whether exhibiting or attending, we’ll see you there.

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New Year, new career?

With a spanking brand New Year upon us it is, for many, a time to reflect on their life and if they need to make any changes to it. This often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions, for example taking up regular exercise, quitting smoking or taking up meditation. Others use it to examine their lives more closely overall and to set about making major changes if need be.

This includes looking at their level of satisfaction within both their personal and their professional lives, and also the balance of the two. One result of such reflection may be a career change for the new year. Many people simply trudge through jobs to pay the mortgage and bills while not necessarily enjoying what they do. But does this have to be the case? It’s more than possible to re-train and undertake a new career, whatever your age.

If this sounds like you and you too are considering a fresh new start you need to be a bit organised about it first. Initially, draw up a list of areas that you are interested in, where your natural abilities lie and any transferable skills you have built up from your existing career that you will be able to bring to a new one. After this list, create a more specific list of possible routes you feel naturally drawn towards, then list your skill set and any area of expertise. Then draw up a list of potential careers that match those answers to some degree.

Next you need to plan how you might put this in to practice. A career change takes a lot of commitment and hard work, and in order for it to be successful it does need proper planning and re-training where required. You will have to decide if your current situation allows you the freedom of time and finances in order to fund training in a particular area.

Many nurses come to us to re-train as skin care specialists within the beauty sector. This is a great example of using a current skill set in a new way. Expertise includes the care of patients and also the use of medical equipment and substances. Re-training is not too time-consuming or expensive and so it is still possible to achieve while working as a nurse.

If you are considering a change of direction this year, we can help. We have recently added several new courses to our programme, and our team would be more than happy to discuss your options with you. For advice on how Cosmetic Courses could help you plan your new career, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01844 3901110 or email [email protected].

Happy New Year!

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The Keogh Review – What will it mean for cosmetic training?

The Keogh Review of plastic surgery’s findings published last month included recommendations that will likely be put in to practice and therefore enforceable by law. These will have ramifications for the entire industry and for those practising within it.

Notably, its recommendations for new regulations for non-invasive procedures. It’s recommended that those who administer procedures such as Botox and fillers will need to have proper training and qualifications and will need to be medical professionals.

So what will this mean?

1. Increased number of courses available

Though it has not yet been made clear what specific qualification will be required or the body designing it, it is nonetheless apparent that the number of courses for practitioners to earn the qualifications will see a huge increase in number. It’s rare for universities to offer courses in this field currently yet it’s likely that courses for non-invasive procedures will rise throughout colleges and universities.

2. Increased cost for training

New training qualifications and courses (including guidelines, syllabus, examining etc) will likely result in increased costs to train and obtain the relevant qualification. It’s possible that training now will avoid the higher costs that may arise once the regulations come in to law.

3. Increased, but better competition

Although an increased number of courses may result in more practitioners, the upshot is that you will be working in a regulated industry where you do not have to compete with less than scrupulous individuals or clinics.

For information about our range of aesthetic training courses, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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Dermal Filler and Botox Cosmetic Training Courses

Surveys done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have identified botox cosmetics and dermal fillers as two anti-aging solutions that have attracted a lot of public demand: because they provide a non-invasive solution to looking younger. Plastic surgeons should consider adding these procedures to their practice. They are not only popular but can also be done in the office.

Hands On Training Programs

Although there are training programs throughout the UK to supply cosmetic experts, the best training will inevitably be hands-on training by a qualified doctor/surgeon.

While its possible to learn much from listening to lectures, watching power point presentations and studying textbooks, the most important skill to learn is how to skilfully administer injections. This can only be learned through a hands-on approach. A trainee who understands all about Botox Cosmetics and Dermal Fillers but not how to inject a patient’s face is poorly equipped for the real world.

Certified Instructors

While medical schools are taught by doctors who are experts in their specialty, the same criteria does not appear to be applied when it comes to non-invasive cosmetic training. Many of the instructors who teach about Botox Cosmetics and Dermal Fillers are not qualified. A trainee has to inquire about the qualifications of the instructors before enrolling in a school providing cosmetic training.

Post Training Support

Apart from getting hands-on training from a qualified and certified instructor, the trainee will also need post-training support. This will help with dealing with situations not covered during the training. While training programs may be able to cover a lot of ground, they can’t realistically cover everything, so questions based on exceptional situations will inevitably arise during the course of dealing with patients.

Additionally, the best training should also include ways to build an effective business practice.

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