STRESSED Brits are pushing NHS waiting lists for cosmetic treatments to battle anxiety symptoms to record levels.
One of the UK’s leading aesthetics doctors Dr Ed Robinson has seen patients seeking masseter Botox – injectable stress relief’ for ailments including jaw clenching and teeth grinding. – QUADRUPLE in the last year.
Dr Ed, who has clinics in Cheshire and London’s Harley Street, revealed; “I have had so many patients coming to me in a tremendous pain unable to endure the lengthy waiting time to be seen on the NHS.
“For many in Britain, chronic stress seems to have become a normal way of life and when this manifests as bruxism (jaw clenching) Botox can be an effective treatment. As with many treatments and procedures there is an overwhelming backlog with waiting times often being over a year.
“Botox is often misconstrued as an exclusively aesthetic procedure, but it is frequently used to alleviate jaw pain and bruxism. This can be extremely debilitating.
“My patients often suffer from jaw clenching and grinding, this is not only bad for the teeth but can also lead to debilitating migraines. TMJ conditions severely effect one’s daily life and for many the condition becomes unbearable.
“The treatment involves Botox injections to reduce the strength of the masseter muscles in the jaw, relieving the pressure and pain.”
Dr Ed a GMC-registered doctor with over 7 years of NHS experience added: “A lot of the patients who come to me are stuck in the system, waiting for an NHS appointment, or get bounced between specialties.’
“The treatment lasts 4-6 months and with wait times over a year patients can be left in pain for more than 6 months after receiving treatment.”
Dr Ed Robinson. an NHS anesthetist, added: “I have experienced first hand the ongoing pressure the NHS is under from my years of medical training and work. I am proud to provide a service which helps to alleviate those waiting times and help those in ongoing pain.
“Masseter Botox used to make up about 5% of my treatments. This has risen to about 20% of treatments in the last year. It is clear we are a stressed nation these days.
“Migraine related Botox is available on the NHS, but the wait times are horrendous, and not all GPs are aware that this is an option, or which speciality locally offers the service.’
‘Different specialities cover it based on the area of the UK. It’s a bit of a postcode lottery.’
Dr Ed has used his NHS expertise to establish a successful clinic, where he offers a number of treatments ranging from anti-ageing procedures and dermal fillers to skin-boosting injectables.
He adds: ‘My work focuses on improving people’s confidence by accentuating their natural appearance and boosting their skin, without drastically changing the shape of one’s face.’
‘Cosmetics has moved away from over-filled, ‘fake’ lips. Procedures like Masseter Botox are not only offering a physical change, but also providing therapeutic relief.’
‘Pop culture and movies like Barbie have also contributed to the increasing popularity of trends like ‘Traptox’, which slims down the neck like Barbie.
‘It is unhealthy to make aesthetic treatments popular based on trends and visual effects. However, ‘Traptox’ has been used as migraine relief for years. The symptomatic relief is really effective and makes a big difference for patients.’
‘We are slowly breaking the taboo surrounding dermal fillers and enhancements. We are realising that aesthetic treatments can be used for more than just visual appearances and have great medical benefits.
Go to www.dredrobinson.co.uk to find out more.
Case study:
TV star Bianca Petronizi was left in agony waiting close to a year for NHS masseter Botox.
The 31-year-old customer advisor, who appeared on Married At First Sight, receives regular Botox treatments to alleviate symptoms caused by her underbite.
She revealed: “It has affected my life in more ways than I could imagine.
“To me my underbite is the one thing I would change about myself, it has affected my confidence and the way I view my appearance since a young age.
“The condition affects more than your appearance. Without treatment I struggle to eat and swallow, the headaches become excruciating, and my condition becomes debilitating.
“NHS waiting times are wild for Botox treatments, I’ve waited close to a year for a treatment which wears off after a few months.
“Those that rely on the NHS are left in pain for the majority of the year waiting for their next appointment.
“Your masseters are incredibly strong and always working, you need the treatment twice or three times more before you are seen again.
“I chose to go to Dr Ed as he is renowned for his masseter Botox. He took me through every step of the procedure, and I always knew I was in safe hands.
“You really pay for his skills and experience. Ed is the only private aesthetician I have found to give me the correct dose of filler.
“Aestheticians have previously treated me like a cosmetic patient and do not consider the medical implications of my masseter treatment.”
“People don’t realise how debilitating the condition can be, an underbite is much more than an aesthetic problem and I am grateful to Doctors like Ed who understand that.”
Masseter Botox is used to treat many issues patients experience with their jaw including anxiety and stress related symptoms such a grinding of the teeth.
The treatment relaxes the jaw muscles which alleviate symptoms such as stiffness or pain.
- Fiona Bristow
