So next year I turn the big three O! And although 30 is far from old it does feel like a big milestone! I also think that becoming a mother and the chronic lack of sleep that came alongside my little bundle of joy has really taken a toll on my face! So now I’ve finished breastfeeding I’m going in with the big guns and getting some Botox!

I already have Botox in my chin, or more specifically my Mentalis Muscle. I have what is know as a ‘hyperactive Mentalis muscle’. This basically means that the muscle that causes the chin to rise up is overactive, which results in a lumpy, dimply appearance that I was unhappy with.

After doing some googling and I discovered that some toxin injected to the muscle could be the answer, as it would relax this muscle and prevent the dimply appearance. I also had I rather recessive chin which I felt that some Filler could help with and balance out my overall profile.

I did lengthy research into what could go wrong which did scare me a bit (think necrosis) so I knew I had to find a reputable practitioner. I looked at several websites and cross referenced them with Trustpilot and the cosmetic website RealSelf and found Dr Victoria Manning at River Aesthetics.

Seeing that Dr Manning had previously been a GP before training further in aesthetics filled me with confidence. Several celebrities recommend River Aesthetics and Dr Manning is also a trainer in various different procedures. On meeting Victoria at my initial consultation in her beautiful Canford Cliffs practice I knew I was in safe hands.

I ended up having some filler in my chin (I think it was around 2mls of Subskin filler) to increase protrusion and then some Azzalure (which is a compound of Botulinum toxin type A) to lower and relax the Mentalis muscle. I am so happy with the results, I will insert a photo of before and after the treatment below.

Having the filler was not painful, the area was numbed and a cannula was used. It was a little uncomfortable and I was left a little swollen and bruised but this soon disappeared. I barely felt the Azzalure the needles used are very fine. The results of filler are immediate although the full result can be seen once any swelling or bruising has gone. In regards to Azzalure I started seeing and effect around 2-3 days after the procedure with the full results being seen by 1-2 weeks. I find the Azzalure results last me around 3-4 months but I hoping that with consistent injections the muscle should start to weaken and I’ll be able to last longer between appointments.

I have since decided to have some more toxin in my forehead and frown lines to lessen the existing horizontal lines and as a preventative measure to stop further lines developing. This is booked for the new year and I will another post on the procedure and results achieved.

I have had such a positive experience with my cosmetic procedures and I really think this is due to me thorough researching my practitioner. Anybody can do a course and say they are qualified to inject toxin and fillers into your face, but having the procedure done by someone highly experienced, who is also a doctor so will know exactly what to do if something does go wrong is so important in my opinion.

River Aesthetics have clinic in Canford Cliffs Poole, Lymington in Hampshire and London.

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