Psst! The answer is, Yes, Of Course, and Easy!

Botox isn’t something that ‘other people’ do – I can assure you that lots of people do it! The areas most commonly treated are:

the Glabellar (frowning)

Forehead (looking shocked)

and Crowsfeet, more politely known as ‘laughter lines’.

These particular crows feet lines were removed from one of my extremely lovely patients, just last month.

Let me give you some background on who I am: I’ve been a dental hygienist for over 18 years, and am also qualified in administering Botox and fillers. Because of my training and the nature of my work, I have extensive knowledge in the anatomy and physiology of the face – especially all the nerves and blood supply. Personally, I only carry out the treatment I’d be comfortable doing to myself, so I don’t treat bunny lines (wrinkles at the bottom of the nose). Unfortunately, I can’t administer it on myself – so everyone here is looking fresh-faced and lovely, except me. I can’t frown about it because I’ll give myself even more wrinkles! The irony is not lost on me…..

Questions

Can I have Botox if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is no scientific evidence that Botox can cause any problems during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, but we always recommend to err on the side of caution and wait until you are weaning.

What if I discover I’m pregnant after I’ve had a Botox injection?
Congratulations! We recommend that you let your midwife know and invite them to call us if they have any questions.

What can I expect?
When you come for your consultation, you’ll be asked to give a full medical history. This is very important, as certain conditions and medications mean that you may not be suitable for this treatment, or get the results you are aiming for.
Your consultant will need to take photos. This is to help with diagnostics and planning your treatment. These photos remain confidential. Unless you have agreed to let your photos be used for promotional purposes, your photos will not be shared with anyone.

Does it hurt?
There might be some slight discomfort, at the initial placement site. This is normal.
Will you need anaesthetic? No.

How quickly will I see results and how long do they last for?
The final results are seen after 2 weeks of having the treatment. You may start seeing results before then, but there is nothing to worry about if you do not. Results will always vary between patients.
The effects will last around 3 months.

How does it work?
The injection relaxes the muscles and makes them unable to perform as much as they would normally. This means that even though you are still able to use the muscles, the lines are unable to be created or renewed. You shouldn’t be left with a ‘frozen face’, this is a sign that too much solution has been used.

Is it safe for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, absolutely. The material used is synthetically produced in a laboratory. There are no animal products used at all.

Am I too old for Botox?
The ‘optimum’ time to have the treatment is when you first start developing ‘dynamic lines’ These are the ones you see when making expressions, such as frowning. The older you are, the more ‘developed’ the muscles are, in creating those lines. All this means is that the effects will be softer. Botox doesn’t eliminate lines, it slows down the development of them. As the muscles are not able to make the expressions, the lines will appear less obvious and will not be given the chance to develop any further.
The particular brand of Botox that we use doesn’t have any studies performed on people after the age of 65.

Is there any ‘Down time’ after I have a Botox injection?
After injections, you can return to work straight away. For the first 30-45 minutes, you may have small raised areas at the site of the injection, they look a little similar to ‘bee stings’. These will naturally go down and be indistinguishable. You’re advised to avoid any strenuous activity (this includes the gym!)
You should avoid rubbing the area and putting on any face creams for the first 12 hours, as with any injections, as you do not wish to introduce bacteria into the site.
You should avoid laying down for the next hour and no wearing helmets for the next 4 hours.
No alcohol for 24 hours.
No extended exposure to sun or heat – this also means sunbeds!

Will I get bruising?
Certain medications can make you more susceptible to bruising, and your consultant will advise you of this at the consultation, this is why it’s so important to us to take a full medical history.
You may experience slight redness at the site of injection, mild tenderness and slight irritation. This is all normal.

I’ve had Botox before, so why are you advising me to get a small amount first?
This is for your safety. Even though you may have had Botox before, the amounts, the strength of formula and the actual product may all vary from what you’ve had previously. After the initial 2 week period, if the results are not as expected, we can always top it up. As with anything, we can always add but we cannot take it away.

What should I be asking myself?
Why am I choosing to do this now? This is also a question that the clinician should be asking you. As with everything, you should have time to consider the treatment that you are wanting. Even after the consultation, you should be allowed at least a week to think about whether the treatment is right for you.

Do I feel confident in the results?
You should have the risks and the results clearly explained to you. Your results will not definitely be the same as anyone else. All results are individual.

Can I come and see you?
Absolutely! Just book yourself a consultation appointment on 01793 200036. We’ll have an informal chat, where I’ll answer all of your questions. Don’t worry if you feel a question is daft – the whole point of this conversation is so you’re fully informed. There’s no pressure to book anything or commit yourself to have the treatment, so don’t let that be a concern. I look forward to seeing you!

Don’t Miss a Tweet 🐦🐦🐦

If you use social media, you can follow Smiles Centre on Twitter for all the latest news and information from the team

The username to follow Smiles Centre on Twitter – twitter.com/smilescentre

You might think “why would I want to do that?” Well, there’s lots of exciting topics to discuss and Twitter is a great platform to do this. Want to know something about the practice or the staff? It’s a very quick way to send us a question or you can use it to send us feedback about our services, we love feedback! There will be some exclusive offers on all our social media platforms, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter so why not follow us on every one.

To recap – This is why you need to follow Smiles Centre on Twitter

1. Exclusive Offers & Promotions
2. Communication – It’s a great way to get answers quickly
3. Feedback – We love it!
4. Interesting topics

What are you waiting for??? Click that link and start following our tweets today.

What a great looking team we have. We are all looking forward to our future discussions on Twitter.

PS: If you don’t already know, we are now offering Botox and Lip Fillers at Smiles Centre and we have a very exciting introduction offer which you can find out about here >> www.smilescentre.co.uk/botox-offers

Facial aesthetics is becoming very popular, it’s all non surgical and you can usually see very quick results, we are currently offering a free consultation as well as the great introduction on offer. To have this treatment alongside cosmetic dentistry can be very appealing, whether it’s teeth straightening, whitening or implants, we can help you.

If you have any questions – just give us a call on 01793 722266, email us info@smilescentre.co.uk or even better, send us a tweet! 🙂 @smilescentre

#twitter #smilescentre #dentistswindon #privatedentist #botox #dentsitry #cosmeticdentistry #swindon

You can’t fight nature

I remember arguing with my Mum when I was 5 years old, that she should have married a man with a smaller nose and ears that didn’t stick out. The blessings didn’t stop there though! I also inherited my Dad’s mouth – complete with the thin top lip that disappears the moment you smile. Thanks genetics, I hate you.

What do the cosmetic companies advise?

“Use your lip liner outside the natural lip line to make it appear bigger, and then add your lipstick over the top”

Great, but I don’t wear lipstick! And even if I did, I’d have to colour so far over my natural lip line, I’d be left looking like a clown! Not the look I’m going for when I leave the house….

So what do I do now?

So what are my options? Buy lipsticks that promise lip-plumping? Been there, done that. Multiple times. They didn’t work.

Next!

Waste money on the internet gadgets that promise me an inflated lip, involving some weird suction thing? Pass.

Next!

Cover my lips with honey and hope a wasp will sting me evenly all over my top lip? (but not too much stinging, because let’s be honest, that hurts!) Er….no.

It’s not fair!

Nothing worked, and I’m not ashamed to admit, I was starting to get lip envy.

So what did I do?

Meet my new best friend – Lip Fillers. They’ve been around for years now, but if you are anything like me, you’ve been dubious of having anything ‘done’ to your face. It might not be great, but it’s the only face I’ve got, and I plan on wearing it for the rest of my life!

What changed my mind?

Collagen is something your body naturally produces. As we get older, it slows down and gets ‘less plump’. Introducing collagen into my lips gives me what genetics so cruelly robbed me of. A top lip! My body will naturally break the collagen down slowly over 3 months, and it will be disposed of naturally within the body, like any normal waste. It’s the perfect crime!

Will I look like a duck?

Hey, I can’t help how you pose for photos.

Ok, I’ll admit it; I was so excited by my new mouth, and the fact I finally had a lip to pout with, I was guilty for the first two weeks of doing nothing but duck pouts! And I wore lipstick for the first time in years. Loved every second of it.

No, you won’t look like a duck. Fillers enhance the natural shape of your lip by increasing the volume.

So what happened? Be honest  – did it hurt?!

I’m a big baby. I’ll cry if I get a splinter. I wanted a top lip, but I wasn’t going to do it if it hurt! Did it hurt? NO.

Let me walk you through it.

• First, they put numbing cream on my lips. Loads of it. I looked like I’d face-planted into a snow drift. But hey, it worked.
• Next was the collagen lip filler. Yes, It’s injected but there is honestly nothing to worry about, the needle is really fine and short. I couldn’t feel it  – I was lovely and numb! I was aware the filler was going in. My lips felt fuller and I guess the very worst it felt was as if I was being slightly pinched. All in all, it took about 30 minutes.
• Then what? Well, then I was all done! Checked it out in the mirror, was amazed and SO pleased with the result. Off home I went, smiling at absolutely everyone.

What about kissing?

Let’s be honest, we’ve all wondered it. I wondered it too, especially as I was booked on a first date, two days later! I’m extremely pleased to be able to reassure you that my date was unaware that I had been ‘enhanced’ in any way. And yes, I tested the new pout with a small smooch at the end of the date. Everything still worked and no loss of sensation. Second date was even requested. Well done, me!

What are the downsides?

It’s not permanent. After being so wary of having it done, I fell in love with the results and wanted them to stay!

After having lip fillers, you’ll need to use some lip balm. Not excessive amounts, but the lips will need to be moisturised. I wasn’t used to needing any!

Would you recommend it?

Without a doubt. I wish I’d done it earlier.

So now what?

Well, now I’m qualified to administer lip fillers. I know exactly how it feels to want something ‘improved’, but also the concerns you have over having things done. I know, because I had them all too.

I think I might want to know a bit more about it, who can I talk to?

As with anything, it’s very important that you have confidence in whomever you’re considering to do your cosmetic treatment.

• Talk to them about your concerns and your wishes. They’ll need to take photos to do a proper assessment (don’t worry, it’s all confidential!), and they should talk you through the procedure.
• Make sure you pick a healthcare professional, not everyone who offers Fillers has a medically trained background. This is vital.
• The clinic needs to be clean, well lit and offer you some privacy.
• You should always be given chance to think about the treatment. Consultations and initial treatments for lip fillers should not be carried out on the same day. The consultant will need time to plan your treatment, and you need time to be able to change your mind, should you want to.
• The general rule is always start off small. You can always go back after a couple of weeks and get a ‘top up’. Think of it like adding sugar to your tea – you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!

Can I come and see you about lip fillers?

Of course you can! Call up to make an appointment for a chat about lip fillers. We’re on 01793 200036. We’ll make you a tea or coffee, and have a chat about what you’re looking for. There’s no charge for this – I just want you to get your questions answered and feel more comfortable about the procedure. There might even be biscuits….

You can book a consultation or request a price list here >>> https://smilescentre.co.uk/aesthetics/ 

Wow, we had one of the busiest summer’s in our history, a usually quiet time of year.

This is great for us of course but it will mean that our September, October, November diaries are going to be crazy busy. These 3 months are traditionally our busiest of the year and each month gets more intense as our patients look to complete their treatment before Christmas.

If you are wanting to have any treatment undertaken at Smiles Centre before the year end, please get your consultation booked asap, we don’t like to disappoint but there are only so many hours available to us.

You can book an appointment by calling our team on 01793 722266

Are we the busiest dentist in Swindon?

I don’t know if we are the busiest dentist in Swindon but it  sure does feel like it. Don’t forget we still offer our free meet and greet appointments for nervous patients, they remain extremely popular with  patients who need that little bit more assurance.

We hope to see you soon at Smiles Centre, Swindon.

3 Beechcroft Road, Sn2 7RD

Stuart 🙂

If you are interested in Teeth Whitening, then you will need to see a dentist first to be assessed.

When the dentist has assessed the patient’s mouth, then they will take impressions for the upper/lower to get the correct size mouthguard. And also a shade each time you come in for an assessment to see the stages of the whitening has got to.

We use a brand here called Pola Night.

Polanight is a convenient tooth whitening solution, that you can apply while you sleep. It contains fluoride which remineralises your tooth to protect against tooth sensitivity and also contains pola Desensistising Technology (PDT) to protect the nerves and nerve endings in your gums. PDT also protects your gums from irritation, burning, pain or long term nerve damage. polanight is available in a variety of different strengths, with the higher concentrations of carbamide peroxide able to achieve stronger whitening in a shorter period of time. The strengths of polanight available include:

Please give us a call regarding on teeth whitening at

Smilescentre

Swindon

01793 722 266