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What is BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® ?

Vistable® is the exact same as Botox® and both are made by Allergan. Botox® is the trade name used for medical indications and Vistable® is the trade name used for cosmetic indications. Ireland develops approximately 80% of the world's Botox®/Vistable® which is manufactured in Mayo by Allergan which is owned by AbbVie. Botox®/Vistable® relaxes the muscles which cause frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. It creates a smoothed, rejuvenated more relaxed appearance.

When injected into a muscle:

• It temporarily blocks the chemical signals that make the muscle contract.
• Only minute quantities of Botox®/Vistable® are injected.
• Only the injected muscle will be affected.

Is BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® Safe?

• Botox®/Vistable® has an excellent safety profile.
• Botox®/Vistable® is used in a variety of therapeutic areas. It is one of the few treatments that can be given to treat children over 2 years of age to treat Cerebral Palsy - BOTOX® helps them to walk!
• Botox®/Vistable® has been actively used for over 25 years in millions of patients worldwide.
• Botox®/Vistable® has US FDA and European approval
• Botox®/Vistable® has now been licensed in the UK and Ireland for the treatment of Glabella (forehead) lines.

How does BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® work?

• A tiny amount of Botox®/Vistable® is injected into the hyperactive muscles.
• Botox®/Vistable® blocks the nerve impulse from reaching these muscles.
• This will correct dynamic wrinkles and lines of the face which occur when you use your muscles to make facial expressions
• The muscle simply relaxes or ‘goes to sleep’
• This enables the muscles to relax and the lines become less obvious.
• Static wrinkles that are present when you are not forming facial expressions (i.e. when your face is relaxed) will not disappear with Botox®/Vistable® but may soften with this treatment

What happens during a BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® treatment?

• It only takes ten minutes.
• Your Doctor will ask you to frown or smile to assess your muscle movement.
• Then determine the injection site to achieve the best results for you.
• Botox®/Vistable® is then administered by several tiny injections.
• Feels like a pinprick or like acupuncture needles.
• No anaesthetic is required.
• You can return to work immediately but do not wear makeup x 4 hours.

Are there any side effects from a BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® treatment?

If they do occur, they are rare and usually resolve after a few days or weeks:

• Temporary headaches may occur, although BOTOX® can be used to treat headaches
• Mild to moderate eyelid or brow drop
• Slight bruising from the injection
• Very rarely it can cause difficulty swallowing, breathing or visual disturbance

When will BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® start to work?

• From Day 2 in some patients through to 14 days to see the full effect.

How long will my BOTOX ®/ VISTABEL® treatment last?

• Results can last from 3 to 4 months following initial treatment
• Subsequent Botox®/Vistable® treatments can last longer.
• Varies from person to person.

Will VISTABEL® work for me?

• Most patients treated by Dr David Buckley, who is one of the most experienced injectors in Ireland, are satisfied with the result.

Will my lines look worse if I do not continue my treatment?

• Should you discontinue treatment, your lines will gradually revert to their pre treatment appearance after a few months or years.

Will VISTABEL® affect my whole face?

• Botox®/Vistable® only relaxes the muscle it is injected into.
• It is used in miniscule quantities to treat facial lines.
• Appropriate injections of Botox®/Vistable® will ensure you still have natural facial expression

If you have any further questions ask Dr David Buckley in the Kerry Skin Clinic.