Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us about a treatment
VISTABEL®/BOTOX®
Can patients become “addicted” to BOTOX®?
Patients who are happy with their first BOTOX® treatment are 40% more likely to request future treatments, one UK study concluded. However this does not necessarily mean that this is an addictive treatment.
BOTOX® treatments are usually carried out twice or three times per year (surely this cannot be labelled addictive behaviour... just as regular facial skin care or hair colouring cannot be labelled as such, and addiction is usually taken to mean repeated behaviours or habits that can be detrimental to health).
Looking the best we can look matters to many of us nowadays, and many people regard simple cosmetic injections as enhanced grooming in our modern world.
Is true that BOTOX® can be used medically as well as cosmetically?
Yes, BOTOX® has been used for a number of years to treat spastic muscles, such as in children with cerebral palsy and adults who suffer from debilitating spasms in the muscles of the neck.
My American pal told me BOTOX® can be used to treat depression is this true?
There have been a few small studies from the US claiming this and your friend may have watched a report on “Good Morning America”. These small studies claim that by removing the ability to frown, the neurological feedback mechanism to the brain is interrupted, thereby taking away the ability for the patients to feel depressed.
Unfortunately the scientific community feel these small studies are flawed and further research needs to be carried out in order for this interesting theory to be proven...
Anecdotally however, this topic is very much in the conversations of some of our medical and nursing colleagues that we meet at professional development seminars... perhaps more scientific evidence may yet be revealed...
Can I fly after my BOTOX® injections?
As a simple precautionary measure some BOTOX® practitioners may advise their patients not to fly for 24 hours following a BOTOX® treatment.
This question was asked at a recent professional development seminar that I attended and the experts could see no reason why a patient should not fly after receiving a BOTOX® treatment.
More importantly, if you have had a BOTOX® injection, you should avoid massaging the area of treatment for two days. Also you should frown and actively contract the treated muscles for three hours which helps the injection bind to the treated nerve fibres within the muscle and prevents spread to non target muscles.
Can an injection of cosmetic BOTOX® be used anywhere other than in the muscles that cause frowning?
Yes BOTOX® can be used to prevent surprise lines in the forehead, crows feet, lipstick lines, down-turned mouth corners, superficial smile lines at the sides of the mouth along the cheek area, chin lines, nose scrunches, jaw line lifting (sometimes called the “Nefertiti Lift”), bandy necks, and some vertical cleavage lines. Not forgetting excessive underarm sweating or primary hyperhidrosis, which carries a nearly 100% success rate in stopping excessive underarm sweating for up to 7-12 months.
Some of these treatment options should only be carried out by advanced practitioners, as they require a few years of experience.
Dermal Fillers
Will my treatment hurt?
A local anaesthetic (numbing) cream is smeared over your treatment area for 30-45 minutes prior to the procedure. Whilst mildly unpleasant your treatment should be bearable.
If you are having your lips treated, you may request a dental block type of injection, which renders your lips numb for about 30 minutes, enabling your nurse specialist to carry out your treatment comfortably.
Will I look all bruised and swollen?
We prepare all our patients for some swelling, which usually settles a few hours after treatment and may last until the next day (a little longer for lip treatments). Bruising can always occur with any type of injection, but as caring nurse practitioners we take special steps to minimise this, e.g. we use ice during treatments and may use a magnification lamp, where patients have fine skin with visible superficial blood vessels.
Upon completion of your treatment you will be offered medicated mineral camouflage make up, so you can return back to work or home, with confidence that telltale signs of treatments are expertly covered over.
Other things you can do yourself to reduce the risk of bruising:
- Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen for 72 hours prior to treatment (n.b. patients taking aspirin for cardiac conditions should not discontinue it.)
- Stop high doses of Vitamin E or Gingko Biloba 1 week prior to your treatment.
- Do not drink alcohol the night before your treatment.
I am a bit nervous of needles, but still want a treatment, how can I be sure I won’t faint?
At MBNS we are very experienced in dealing with nervous clients. We play relaxing soothing music in our treatments rooms and you will never be hurried, we’ve always got the time to treat you at your pace.
Always eat breakfast before a morning treatment, likewise lunch before an afternoon treatment and we keep a stock of lovely warm drinks and choccie bickies for you after your treatments, should this be required!
And as girls... we don’t need any encouragement to chat endlessly to you, whilst you are being treated to distract you, but if you prefer to remain quiet, just let us know.
How can I be sure, I won’t look overdone?
The Signature MBNS Look is relaxed and natural... the “just back from holiday look”.
For clients who require multiple treatments, we tend to suggest a “staged approach.” This means one treatment every few weeks until the desired effect is reached. This way you can be sure that you achieve the look you want in a natural and subtle way.
I’ve been getting my treatments done elsewhere... but I’ve discovered that MBNS is closer... will you treat me in the same way as my previous practitioner?
Personalities may differ, but we pride ourselves on our skill and artistic expertise and nursing empathy. We take before and after photographs, so you are able to monitor your treatment result. If you have any special treatment requests, be sure to let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you (for instance, you might only have Botox treatments in your forehead and never in your crows have feet... just let us know at your consultation).
Intense Pulsed Light for removal of facial veins and pigment.
I’ve heard that you can only have IPL in the winter months... is this true?
No. Whilst you must take care to wear a daily sun block, and a few other sun-sensible precautions, you may have IPL treatments in the summer. If you feel you are the forgetful type (in terms of sun block compliance and avoiding midday sun) then perhaps it is better to wait until after the summer.
Can I have IPL if I am taking St John’s Wort?
No. It makes your skin very light sensitive; you should stop taking St John’s Wort six months before commencing IPL treatments. Please tell your nurse if you are any medication, whether prescribed drugs or herbal, homeopathic or over the counter medicines.
Is it true that IPL can improve the overall look and feel of my skin?
Most of our patients report creamy, glowing skin after IPL treatments. That’s why so many of them return for regular IPL Photorejuvenation treatments, even after their red veins and uneven pigment has been reduced.
Intense Pulsed Light for permanent hair reduction.
What’s the difference between permanent hair removal and permanent hair reduction?
It’s all in the words really. At MBNS we have followed the American Food and Drug Administration approved wording for the use of the term: permanent hair reduction. It was deemed to be more accurate that the hair is permanently reduced (to about 80% of its original growth). The words permanently removed indicate all hair will be removed for ever (as we’ve been performing IPL for almost ten years, we know that permanent removal is inaccurate and therefore we won’t mislead our clients by using it).
Can IPL remove white or grey hairs?
No white hairs will respond to IPL. Some grey hairs may respond, but to be on the safe side don’t expect it. IPL works best on hair with brown pigment in it, and this can include some blondes, but generally speaking the darker the hair the more sure we are of a good result.
I have black skin; can I have IPL hair removal?
Yes you can, and we are very experienced in treating patients with black skin. Dark skin types require experienced practitioners as these skins can easily be burned by practitioners who are inexperienced.
All the MBNS team have IPL Laser qualifications.
Can I be treated with IPL if I have a suntan?
No you cannot. You must have used a sun block for at least three weeks on the area to be treated, and sometimes even longer. Even if you don’t think that you have a sun tan, you must still agree to wear a sun block or your skin is likely to burn.
Sclerotherapy
Can anyone have sclerotherapy?
On the whole the answer is yes, but you will need a nurse consultation and assessment prior to treatment.
It is helpful to know that you cannot have sclerotherapy if:
- You are pregnant.
- You are on the pill
- You have obese legs
When is the best time to have sclerotherapy?
As some bruising occurs for a week or two after treatment, it may be more sensible to have this type of treatment in the winter months, when you can wear longer skirts or trousers.
The wearing of supportive hosiery is also a good idea.
