I like to try and keep looking young and wrinkle free, and as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, that is a constant struggle. Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes. Botox is actually a trade name for a chemical that was produced by a company called Allergan. They coined the term botox, and registered it as their trademark. It’s a bit like people calling a vacuum cleaner a ‘hoover’. As we all now, Hoover is the brand name, not the name of the product. Botox is now readily available at a much lower cost since Allergan lost their patent. It can now be produced by any company and marketed under different brand names. Just like paracetamol tablets, they all do they same thing regardless of who manufactures them.

So is Botox safe? Yes you are injecting poison into your body, but only in very small doses. In my opinion, Botox is safe providing you are not one of the few people that is allergic to it. Experts also advise against having treatment if you are pregnant or have a history of certain medical conditions. So before you have botox treatment, consult your own doctor for advice just to be on the safe side.

You can use botox to treat a variety of conditions. Did you know it is used a lot to stop sweating under the armpit? Many people now use botox for this purpose and it stops embarrassing underarm stains appearing on shirts and blouses. The effects can last for several months. Botox is also used to treat migraines, although this treatment is still relatively new. And as we all know, botox is most famous for treating wrinkles. Known as a wonder drug, it can knock 10 years off your appearance by smoothing out lines around the eyes, head and lips. I should know, because I’ve had treatment and everything it claims to do is true.

Once you have decided to have treatment, you must find a reputable clinic and a qualified practitioner to administer the injections. Ideally you should go somewhere that has been recommended by your friends or by an authorised body. There are many websites to consult where you can get advice and information on prices, for example this one. I suggest you check them out, and make a few phone calls to speak to clinics in your own area. Don’t be afraid to visit a few and get a feel for the place.