Anti-wrinkle injections have revolutionised our approach to facial ageing, treating wrinkles and also excessive underarm sweating. They are relatively painless injections that can last 3-6 months and are increasingly popular.
Botulinum toxins (e.g. Botox®) are special proteins produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. They are agents that affect the nerves at the point where they enter muscles, and therefore prevent the muscles from working. These toxins highly effective when used in minute concentrated doses to relax muscles and soften wrinkles. The effects are not permanent, and last 3-6 months.
Other brand names of botulinum toxin are available such as Azzalure may also be available. At Purity Bridge we have chosen to use Botox® as our principle anti-wrinkle injectable.
Mary completed her nurse training at the Royal free Hospital in London and has over 20 years experience in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She was the head nurse for Plastic Surgery at Charing Cross Hospital for a number of years before moving to work overseas. Her aid work in Cambodia involved her developing a national curriculum for surgical nursing and she returns to Cambodia every couple of years to train their nurse teachers. She is committed to ensuring that you receive a high standard of individualised care, especially in the pre- and post-operative period and has specialist knowledge in wound care. Mary is also a fully trained and accredited nurse injector for Botulinum toxin (Botox), and trained in Thermavein and customised facial peels. Her most recent other post has been working alongside Mr Pacifico and Ms Nugent in the NHS at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.
Janis is an experienced specialist nurse with an extensive background using injectables for muscle relaxation as well as fillers. In addition, Janis sees pre- and post-operative plastic surgery patients and can provide insightful guidance and recommendation for a wide range of aesthetic treatments. Janis has a reassuring and calming bedside manner, and is sure to put even the most nervous patient at ease.
Mr Marc Pacifico MD FRCS(Plast) has been described as one of his generation’s rising stars in plastic surgery. His academic, surgical and practice achievements include, amongst others, coming top in the UK’s consultant level plastic surgery examinations (being awarded the Gold Medal), the publication of over 50 international peer-reviewed papers, being a regular invited speaker at conferences and the opening of his own private clinic, Purity Bridge, alongside his busy private surgical practice. He has built his reputation on a combination of a high level of surgical skill, his artistic eye and his holistic, friendly approach to patient care. His particular areas of interest include plastic surgery to the face and breast, as well as body contouring surgery. The look Marc aims to achieve is a natural, fresh look, in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Marc particularly focuses on the care his patients receive pre- and post-operatively, in order to optimize the outcome of surgery and provide all under his care with a smooth recovery after their procedure. Marc recognizes the continuum between non-surgical and surgical techniques, using all available options to formulate a bespoke treatment plan for every individual. This process has been further enabled by the opening of his private clinic Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells, that provides the best level of care possible to his patients. The art of rejuvenation is not a “one stop shop” but rather a process, with the right procedure required at the right time for the right outcome. That means maintaining surgical results with specifically timed non-surgical interventions, as well as a global approach to the individual that is outcome driven. Marc Pacifico is a fully accredited specialist in plastic surgery, and is on the Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery with the General Medical Council (number 4412407) and a member of BAAPS,BAPRAS and ISAPS. See a short video introduction to Marc here ›
Ms Nora Nugent FRCS(Plast) has joined Purity Bridge where she offers an individually tailored modern plastic surgery practice. The cornerstones of her practice are good communication with you and meticulous attention to detail as she feels this is vital to your decision to undergo any treatment under her care. This ethos is continued from your first consultation through to the end of your treatment to ensure that you get the highest possible care and are fully supported during this time. Nora aims to provide you with a clear and honest opinion on your condition and will ensure that you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have before proceeding with treatment. Nora graduated from medical school at University College Dublin and completed her specialist training in plastic surgery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. To further develop her clinical expertise and skills, she then undertook specialist fellowships in North America and Australia. Training in advanced burn critical care and burn surgery (acute and reconstructive) was undertaken during her fellowship at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Galveston, Texas. Prior to taking up her consultant post in the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Nora obtained additional subspecialty training in Australia completing a plastic surgery fellowship at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney which encompassed both aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery and reconstructive surgery (including microsurgery) and also a hand surgery fellowship with Victorian Hand Surgery Associates, Melbourne. This allows her to offer you a wide range of procedures across the spectrum of plastic surgery. She has experience in all areas of aesthetic surgery including breast, facial and abdominal surgery and strives to achieve a natural rejuvenated appearance for her patients. For some this may be a skin rejuvenation technique while for others surgery can be a better option. Nora Nugent is a fully qualified plastic surgeon with the FRCS (Plast) qualification and has specialist registration in plastic surgery with the General Medical Council. She is a member of BAPRAS and IAPS. Nora maintains a broad range of clinical interests within plastic surgery and regularly attends conferences within the specialty to keep up to date with evolving techniques and new developments in plastic surgery. She is also a member of multidisciplinary clinical groups overseeing the management of burns, skin cancer and lower limb injuries in the South East of England. While always looking for ways to improve the care she can provide, Nora will only offer new procedures once she is satisfied that they have been evaluated fully and offer a clear benefit to her patients.
Mr Brent Tanner is a highly experienced and renowned Consultant Plastic Surgeon. He has a special interest in non-surgical rejuvenation techniques to the face, with a particular interest in the Pearl LASER as well as injectable techniques to produce harmonious, natural and fresh results.
Dr Belpassi MBBS BSc DRCOG MRCGP has 13 years of hands on clinical experience. Her background is in General Practice, and she brings a holistic approach to her aesthetics practice, believing that prevention and looking after what we already have is key to all aspects of medicine. She is passionate about helping people feel and look their best. Having already undergone extensive aesthetics training, she is currently doing her level 7 (Masters equivalent) in injectables with the Harley Academy. Dr Belpassi also has a keen interest in dermatology, and aside from her dermatological experience and training in General Practice, she has undergone further in depth training with her Level 7 diploma. In addition to this, she has had further specialist training with medical-grade skincare ranges including Obagi Medical, Neostrata and SkinBetter Science, as well as chemical peels and PEARL and LED laser training for skin rejuvenation.
Dr Roxy regularly attends conferences both nationally and internationally to keep up to date with the latest techniques in aesthetics and products available. She holds full registration with the General Medical Council, and is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and British Medical Association.
Botox is administered by an injection directly into the appropriate muscles, usually on the face. It is given with a tiny needle very precisely into various locations in the face. Most commonly it is given to the frown area in the middle of the forehead, and also to the crows feet area. The untreated areas continue to work normally.
Rather than being painful most people describe toxin treatment as being a little uncomfortable. Some factors may make it feel more painful such as stress or hormonal fluctuations.
We perform the procedure in our specialised treatment room at the clinic in Tunbridge Wells.
Botulinum toxin works best in people with fine lines and few wrinkles, and can reduce the amount of wrinkling of the skin. If wrinkles are deep and well-established, Botulinum toxin will not work effectively.
Regular Botox treatment over a period of 12-18 months will help to iron out these creases, but for a more immediate result other treatment options such as dermal fillers may be a better option.
In addition Botulinum toxin will not erase the wrinkles caused by sun-damage. Other treatments to improve the quality of the skin such as chemical peels will provide more benefit.
Regarding prevention, it makes sense that Botox can prevent wrinkle formation if it is started before fixed wrinkles establish. However there is a careful balance when deciding to treat younger patients – premature treatment can make someone look older rather than the more youthful look desired. Whether or not treatment is appropriate is always decided on an individual patient basis.
Botulinum toxin may also be used to treat conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating, often in the armpits or palms and soles).
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and takes about 10-15 minutes, depending upon the number of injections needed.
The effects will take 4-10 days to show, and we invite all patients back for a review appointment at 14-days post-treatment
The injections feel a bit like a small mosquito bite and are not particularly painful. Afterwards, some small red marks are usually present for a short time, before they resolve.
1 area | £195 |
2 areas | £295 |
3 areas | £325 |
Botulinum toxin therapy has good success rates, which has made it a consistently popular treatment worldwide.
You may return to normal activities immediately after the injections, as no anaesthetic has been used. Following the injections you should keep your head up and not stoop over or strain.
Do not manipulate or massage the treated area, as this may spread the Botox to neighbouring areas and cause unwanted effects.
Light make-up may be applied 1-hour after the procedure.
It can be helpful to excercise the non-treated facial muscles by frowning and smiling frequently
Some people experience a mild headache after the procedure, so it is advisable to take some paracetamol prior to having the injections.
Prices starts from £195.00
Purity Bridge is the trading name of Tunbridge Wells Plastic Surgery Ltd, registered in England & Wales with company registration number 8226611. Tunbridge Wells Plastic Surgery Ltd is registered and regulated by The Care Quality Commission.