Treatment Anti-wrinkle
Commonest anti-wrinkle treatments are botulinum toxin and dermal fillers.
Sometimes these injections are called ‘Botox’ for short, although Botox is actually the brand name of one of the specific Botulinum Toxin type A products that are used for treating lines and wrinkles.  At Christchurch clinics we use various brands of botulinum toxin type A to achieve excellent results.
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What is Botox?
Botox is a muscle relaxant and prescription only medicine.  It contains the active substance Botulinum Toxin Type A and is used for a range of different therapeutic purposes in addition to treating lines and wrinkles on the face.  Botox injections are injected into the facial muscles, using a very fine needle, similar in size to what is used in acupuncture.
How Does Botox Work?
The injections work to block the junction between the nerve and muscle, and in a matter of days they will have the effect of reducing the muscle activity that causes lines and wrinkles. Results will always vary from person to person and therefore no guarantee as to efficacy can be given.
Is Botox Safe?
The use of Botulinum Toxin Type A to improve the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (‘eleven lines’ between the eyebrows) was first approved in 2002 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA).   Nearly 20 years later, Botox injections are now the most carried out non-surgical aesthetic treatment worldwide.   The latest figures from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery indicate that in 2018 in the United States alone, there were just over 1.8 million procedures carried out using Botulinum Toxin Type A.
In the U.K. Botox is licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to temporarily improve the appearance of:
  • Vertical lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines)
  • Fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes (crows feet)
  • Forehead lines.
However, like all medicines Botox does have known side effects, some of which are common and some less-common.  The likely side effects of Botox will be explained to you before any treatment commences.
How long does Botox take to Work?
The manufacturers guidelines for Botox state that you will usually see an improvement within the first week after injection, although at our clinic we advise that patients should expect to see the maximum benefit between 10 to 14 days post treatment.
How long does the effect of Botox last for?
This varies from person to person and sometimes in the same person over time due to skin type and elasticity, age, wrinkle depth and other factors. In most people however the effects of Botox injected into the face will last around 3 – 4 months.
Does repeated use affect duration?
Using Botox regularly may cause the effects to last for longer periods of time with each use. Botox paralyzes the muscles so you can’t use them. If muscles aren’t used, they get shorter and smaller. This means that you may need fewer Botox treatments over time to get the same effect.
Do the treatments hurt, and will I bruise?
As earlier stated, Botox injections are injected into the facial muscles, using a very fine needle, similar in size to what is used in acupuncture. As a result, most patients only experience minimal discomfort with no downtime. To make the procedure more comfortable, we also offer a numbing cream which can be applied about thirty minutes before treatment. This will be discussed during your consultation.
How long does the procedure last?
Most treatments take about 30 – 45 mins to complete. If a numbing cream is used prior to treatment, the procedure can take up to an hour. At Christchurch, our priority is to ensure you are comfortable therefore we allocate one hour for our appointments.
Who will perform the Treatment?
Patient safety is our priority and we strongly believe that Botox injections should not be carried out by anyone without the appropriate medical training, qualifications and experience.
Currently, all treatment is carried out by Dr Akomolafe who is a qualified GP of over 25 years and Aesthetic practitioner with over 15 years’ experience She will also provide comprehensive information with respect to Botox pre and aftercare as this is important to ensure the best results.
‘Botox’ is a registered trademark of Allergan plc.
DERMA FILLERS
What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are non-surgical treatments delivered by injection that are used to plump up skin and restore volume. They can be used on areas of the face where volume has been lost through the process of natural ageing typically cheeks, lips and around the mouth. Dermal fillers can also be used to provide contour and definition for lip augmentation.

At Christchurch Clinics we use the latest and most effective dermal fillers.

Majority of dermal fillers used today contain Hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. It plays an important role in supporting our soft tissue and is therefore a natural choice for use in dermal filler treatments.

How do Dermal Fillers work?
Dermal fillers are administered via a fine injection to the area where improvement is required. While only a tiny amount of dermal filler will ever be injected into the skin, it will still produce a noticeable result. Hyaluronic Acid is excellent at retaining moisture and will draw in moisture from surrounding soft tissue to plump the skin.
Dermal Fillers can be used to:
• Reduce deep lines and wrinkles on the face, such as ‘nose to mouth lines’
• remove the downward turning ‘sad lines’ at the corners of the mouth
• fill in or smooth out depressions beneath the lower eyelid with tear trough filler
• contour sunken cheeks
• add volume and definition to the lips with lip augmentation.
Dr Akomolafe has many years of experience in using dermal fillers and offers advice on the best dermal filler aftercare.  Dermal Fillers can be safely used on women and men as well as on all skin types and colours.
How much do Dermal Fillers cost?
The cost depends on the volume of fillers required to treat different areas. Prices are charged per syringe used.
How long do Derma Fillers last?
This like Botox varies from person to person and sometimes in the same person over time due to skin type and elasticity, age, wrinkle depth and other factors. In most people however the effects of Dermal Fillers can last around 4 – 6 months.
Do the treatments hurt, and will I bruise?
There could be some bruising depending on skin type and down time is estimated between 24 – 72 hours in most clients. To make the procedure more comfortable, we can also offer a numbing cream which can be applied about thirty minutes before treatment. This will be discussed during your consultation.
How much do Dermal Fillers cost?
The cost depends on the volume of fillers required to treat different areas. Prices are charged per syringe used.
How long do Derma Fillers last?
This like Botox varies from person to person and sometimes in the same person over time due to skin type and elasticity, age, wrinkle depth and other factors. In most people however the effects of Dermal Fillers can last around 4 – 6 months.
Do the treatments hurt, and will I bruise?
There could be some bruising depending on skin type and down time is estimated between 24 – 72 hours in most clients. To make the procedure more comfortable, we can also offer a numbing cream which can be applied about thirty minutes before treatment. This will be discussed during your consultation.