Botox and dermal fillers have become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, it’s estimated that 900,000 Botox injections are given in the UK each year. They are used for a variety of purposes, both cosmetic and medical. 

But What Exactly are They? and How Do They Work?

Botox is taken from Botulinum toxin, which is produced by a specific bacteria. In large amounts, this toxin can be poisonous, but in smaller doses, it can cause muscle contractions on a short-term basis, which can bring relief to both medical and cosmetic issues. Botox is generally used to reduce facial wrinkles or other signs of ageing. When it is injected, it blocks nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. As a result, muscles relax, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Generally, the effects last about three to six months.

Dermal fillers are substances designed to be injected beneath the skin’s surface to add plumpness. There are a variety of substances used in them, including Calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a compound found in bones; Hyaluronic acid- which is found in fluids and tissues in the body that add plumpness -and Polylactic acid, which stimulates the skin to make more collagen. The time they take to work, and last varies depending on the particular chemicals used and the application.

Both Botox and dermal fillers are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that are given through injections. The major difference is that Botox freezes muscles while fillers add fullness. So Botox is used to minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions, whilst fillers add fullness to areas that have thinned due to the natural course of ageing (such as the lips, cheeks or the area around the mouth). 

So, What are the Benefits?

The benefits of Botox and dermal fillers are that they can reduce the signs of ageing. They can minimise wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement – these types of wrinkles are known as dynamic wrinkles or “expression lines”. Typically, they can be used to treat lines on the upper face, such as between the brows, horizontal lines on the forehead or crow’s eyes. Botox and fillers smooth these out and plump out the texture of the skin and muscle, giving a smoother and more youthful appearance. 

Are there Any Risks of Botox and Dermal Fillers

Botox and dermal fillers carry certain risks like any cosmetic or medical treatment. Some of the potential risks and side effects include drooping of the eyelid or brow when injected near the eye, weakness or paralysis of muscles near the site of injection, rashes, hives or itching. They can also cause bruises, swelling or redness. In some more extreme cases, it can cause trouble swallowing, breathing or speaking. In some very rare cases, it is also possible that the treatment may fail to work due to antibodies that fight the toxin. So, seeking an accredited and qualified provider is important when looking for treatment.

It’s also important to remember that several legal restrictions surround Botox and dermal fillers. They are prescription-based medicines that should only be administered by trained professionals. It is not advisable to go to a clinic or beauty parlour that does not abide by the law or does not have certified professionals administering the treatment, as this can lead to a greater risk of side effects for patients. 

So, what are the Prerequisites for Becoming an Accredited Clinician?

In the UK, Botox and dermal fillers are licensed and regulated products. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists can prescribe them. This means that they should only be administered by trained professionals. However, it is legal for anyone to administer these products regardless of their training, so it is important to ensure you find an aesthetician who fits the medical requirements and who has undergone the right training.

How do I Become an Accredited Practitioner?

1) Acquisition Aesthetics

If you are looking for a professional way to become qualified to administer Botox and dermal fillers, then it is important to undertake an accredited course. It is important to find one that reflects your background and training, for example, one that is tailored to medically trained professionals versus one for those looking to practice in a beautician context.

Acquisition Aesthetics is the UK’s leading aesthetics training provider for Botox and dermal fillers. We offer some of the best courses for both beginners and established practitioners. The courses are designed to offer the skills and understanding needed to excel as a facial aesthetician. All of the courses are CPD-certified, meaning that they are suitable for medical professionals with a valid GMC, GDC or NMC number or the international equivalent.

The training team consists of experienced doctors, surgeons and nurses who teach participants how to deliver the highest standards of non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Acquisition Aesthetics has won the “Best Independent Training Provider of the Year” twice at the Aesthetics Awards and is also an ambassador of Operation Smile. They offer a range of courses, including a foundation course, a Level 7 Diploma in injectables for aesthetic medicine, and an Advanced Dermal Fillers and Botulinum Toxin Training course. The Foundation course covers an introduction to the cosmetic industry, facial anatomy and the pharmacology of both products, as well as their indications and contradictions.

The course teaches a number of techniques, including upper face Botox administration and a variety of dermal filler techniques such as lip enhancement, correction of marionette lines and cheek augmentation. It also offers ongoing support in the form of online groups and access to online marketing and instructional materials. The course also offers real hands-on experience in the form of observing experienced experts demonstrating the administration of Botox and dermal fillers and practical training, whereby students can inject models under the supervision of trained professionals for cosmetic treatments. Students will have online access to a variety of useful materials, such as guidebooks and template consent forms.

2) The Derma Institute

Derma Institute is a certified training practitioner and award-winning academy for aesthetic medicine. Their CPD-accredited one-day foundation Botox and dermal filler training course gives students a full understanding of both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to start working in cosmetic aesthetics. The course teaches the most popular cosmetic injectable treatments by offering practical work on live models.

Courses are undertaken in small groups, meaning participants are able to really master the most common and requested procedures, but under close, professional supervision. All trainers have at least ten years of experience, with many running their own clinics. This means students can learn about the practice and how to establish a business or trade practically. Subjects and skills covered include facial anatomy, dealing with patient expectations, facial mapping to improve injection accuracy, contradictions and complications and dosage and injection methods.

3)  Cosmetic Courses

This is an award-winning and CPD-certified training course for Botox and dermal filler treatments. Sessions on the course operate on live models to train students in the treatments and processes most sought after by potential clients. This includes upper face areas, nose-to-mouth lines, marionette lines, corners of the mouth and introduction to Cannula. Students receive pre-course reading and online resources. Since 2002, Cosmetic Courses has trained and mentored over 7000 delegates and helped them gain the skills to build their own practice. The course is open to any medically qualified surgeon, doctor or nurse with a current registration with the GMC, GDC or NMC, or overseas equivalent.

If you are looking to train in administering non-surgical procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers, it is important to ensure that you are working with a properly certified training institute. Aesthetic medicine is a growing market, so in order to stand out it is incredibly important to ensure that any practice or work you carry out is safe and certified. Taking a training that encompasses these principles will set you apart in an expanding industry.