Botox is a trade name owned by the Allergan Company. that originally manufactured the substance. It is actually a neurotoxic protein called Botulinum toxin A produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and it can be deadly in large quantities.

Reputable UK surgeons will be registered with both the General Medical Council telephone 0845 357 8001, and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, telephone 020 7405 2234. You can also get a list of trained and registered UK dermatologists from the British Association of Dermatologists, telephone 020 7383 0266.

Botox works by weakening or paralysing the facial expression muscles. This means the skin flattens which gives the appearance that the wrinkles have disappeared by magic. In most cases this can result in the patient looking years younger as laugh lines disappear almost immediately.

The effects of Botox are temporary and last only a few months meaning patients have to pay for additional treatment. This can in some cases, become an addiction. Striving to retain youthful looks has created the Botox Junkie. This is someone who will stop at nothing to get their Botox Fix, often going into thousands of pounds of debt to fund their condition

Blepharoptosis is one common side effect following Botox Treatment to the eyes. This is when the eyelid droops a week or so following treatment, and can last for up to 6 weeks. Slight bleeding and infection around the injection area are also common, as are bruising and flu like symptoms.

Botox has been granted FDA approval for the treatment of excessive underarm sweating. Patients have injections in the underarm area and the treatment temporarily blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.

Tell you consultant if you have any infections, allergies or neuromuscular disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Having Botox treatment with any of these conditions is not advised. Always consult your own doctor if you have any doubt.