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Botox – the A -Z Guide

Cosmetic Courses; Banner showing theBotox - a - z Guide

Anti-wrinkle injections, commonly known as Botox® injections can be used to reduce the appearance of lines on your face including frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines.
If you’re considering anti-wrinkle injections but want more information our A-Z of Botox will help to answer some of those questions:

Aftercare

Aftercare is important in order to get the best results from your botox® treatment. It is advised that after the first 30-60 mins after having botox you move your facial muscles regularly, smile a lot! Take it easy, get comfy in front of the TV or why not catch up on that book you have been meaning to read. You will need to remain upright and avoid touching or applying pressure to the area. For the next 24 hours Avoid any strenuous exercise and any hot baths or saunas. Any swelling after treatment is completely normal and can be helped with ice, and any slight bruising can be helped with Arnica gel.

Botulinum Toxin Type A | A-Z of Botox

Botulinum toxin type A is a protein more commonly known as Botox® which is actually a brand name just like Bocouture, Azzalure, Dysport and Xeomin. Botox® is made from the bacteria that cause botulism. Botulinum toxin type A works by blocking the nerve activity in muscles which causes a temporary reduction in muscle activity.

Consultations | A-Z of Botox

Cosmetic Courses; picture showing a consultationConsultations before Botox® are essential. Everyone’s face is different so what your sister’s best friend got is going to be different to what is suitable for you. Once you arrive at your consultation you will meet your practitioner and you will be able to discuss areas of concern to you. Your practitioner will also go through the possible complications of botox the common of these include swelling, bruising, headaches, and redness at injection site, everything will be discussed in detail and you will also be able to ask any questions before deciding to go ahead or not.

Don’t Drink | A-Z of Botox

It is highly recommended to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before and 24 hours after having received the botox® treatment. Not drinking will minimize the likelihood of side effects and reactions. Droopiness is a side effect of botox® especially in the eyelids or eyebrows which can happen when botox® is injected too low, too deep or even too much, always get your botox® done by an experienced medical professional for the best results.

Eyes | A-Z of Botox

Eyes are a common area that people have concerns over and look to botox for help. It is so important that you look a professional practitioner for all treatments of botox® but especially for any treatment that involves injecting around the eye to avoid any un-wanted side effects. Botox® can be injected into the periorbital area to lift tired eyes giving a fresh faced look.

Frozen Face | A-Z of Botox

Frozen Face is a common misconception about having a botox treatment. If done correctly, botox® should not leave you with a frozen face and you should be able to regain natural movement. Make sure you research your practitioners understand that you may not reach your desired effect until after at least 2-3 treatments. Unfortunately if you do end up with a frozen face then the only cure is time, and you will have to wait for it to wear off.

Gummy Smile | A-Z of Botox

Gummy Smile is a phenomenon which causes the upper lip too rises too far above the upper teeth, exposing gums when you smile. If you are hiding away a gummy smile then all is not lost! A small amount of botox® can be injected at the junction of nostrils and nose to mouth fold to relax the hyperactive muscle which causes the lift.

Hyperhidrosis | A-Z of Botox

Hyperhidrosis is actually a common condition where a person sweats excessively. Botox® is licensed in the UK for treating localised products hyperhidrosis in the armpits, it works by blocking the nerves that supply the eccrine glands which then prevents the glands from producing sweat. It is important to remember however that this is not a cure for hyperhidrosis, your nerve endings do return to normal and the sweating will gradually return, at this point you should go back to your practitioner to receive the treatment again. Hyperhidrosis treatment would be suitable for hands, faces and hairline.

Injections | A-Z of Botox

Botox® despite its powdered initial form is an injectable. It is also rarely just a single injection and will generally consist of a series of injections to the upper face although this varies depending on your treatment type. Patients can be pre-treated with a topical aesthetic before treatment which makes them virtually painless. The needle itself is small and each injection is very quick and therefore the discomfort, if any, is over very quickly.

Jowls | A-Z of Botox

Jowls are a natural part of ageing. As your skin starts to lose elasticity you may notice the lower part of your face such as your cheek and jaw areas begin to sag down. Although it is not a common use of the anti-wrinkle treatment because botox targets the muscle you can focus it on to the muscle in your neck that causes wrinkling, sagging and a jowl-like appearance in this area. Using botox® to relax this muscle means that the sagging is reduced.

Knowledge is king | A-Z of Botox

Knowledge is king! Before getting any treatment, especially an injectable like botox® it is always important to do your research and make sure you fully understand the process involved and the recommended aftercare advice. If you are unsure of anything make sure you make a note of the question and ask your practitioner at your consultation.

Licenced | A-Z of Botox

Cosmetic Courses; Picture showing GMC Logo  Botox® in the UK is classed a prescription only medicine which means it can only officially  be prescribed by a doctor, dentist or independent nurse prescriber. The prescriber will take  liability for the administration of the drug under their supervision. The liability for patient  safety rests with the prescriber. Always ask to see a GMC, (General Medical Council) NMC  (Nursing and Midwifery Council) or GDC (General Dental Council) registration before letting your practitioner start botox treatment.

Migraines | A-Z of Botox

Migraines are quite severe headaches which effects on average 1 in 7 people in the UK. But did you know that botox® is reported to be an effective treatment option for adults who suffer with chronic migraines. Although the exact reason why it works is still officially unknown it has been suggested that treatment works by blocking the pain pathways in certain nerve cells.

Natural Results | A-Z of Botox

Our philosophy on botox® is less is more. It is our aim to not let you leave the clinic looking like someone else, but to leave looking like yourself, but rejuvenated. You will obviously want people to notice that you look different, but not allow them to figure out what exactly it is that has changed. So consider having your botox® treatment in stages, let your practitioner know you want natural results and follow your aftercare advice to the letter!

On-going treatments & Other procedures | A-Z of Botox

Botox® is an on-going treatment, one session is not going to make your wrinkles and lines disappear forever. No matter how great you look afterwards, you will generally need to return every 12 weeks for a top-up. At the same time, if you have botox®, and decide it’s not for you, after 12 weeks the effects should have all faded. Other procedures may be offered to compliment your anti-wrinkle treatments; these could include Dermal Fillers, Skin Masks and other Skin Rejuvenating processes.

Practitioners

Picking your practitioner sounds like a hard task, but it doesn’t have to be. Feel free to explore your options and visit as many clinics and practitioners as you want before deciding on one you feel comfortable with. Thoroughly research the procedure and the practitioner, don’t just rely on the practitioner’s/clinic’s own website and don’t make your decision based on the price. We highly suggest using the SaveFace guides to ensure you are in safe hands at all times.

Quick Results

Quick results are not realistic. After having a botox® treatment you are recommended to wait at least 10 days to start seeing the desired effects which will peak at around 2 weeks following your first injection. If you are still not happy after this time then you can contact your clinic or practitioner to discuss your options.

Review

At Aurora, after any botox® appointment we always offer a review appointment 2-3 weeks because it can take up to 2 weeks for the effects of the treatment to actually fully take effect. We get you to come back just so that we can make sure that you have got the best results and sometimes we need to tweak it a little bit just to make it better for you and it just makes sure that you’re getting the best treatment possible.

Sausage

It all started with a sausage! You may, or may not know that the history of Botulinum toxin type A goes all the way back to a poisoned sausage. Botox® is a toxin produced by bacteria first discovered in poorly prepared sausages during the 18th Century. It was named after the Latin for sausage – botulus.

Timings

Treatment times for botox can vary, it often depends on the amount you are having and where. Generally botox® injections take around 20 minutes to complete.  Timing is everything with botox®, if you are planning on getting treatment before a special occasion or event then it is recommended you leave 2 weeks between the treatment and the event to look at your best.

Uses

Uses of botox® vary from cosmetic to medical. Medicinal uses include the treatment for Hyperhidrosis, Urinary incontinence, Migraines, Tennis elbow, Bell’s palsy, Squint, and MS and for controlling muscle spasms for children with cerebral palsy to name a few but research is improving all the time to widen its usage.

Vials

When your practitioner receives botox from the manufacturer it will come in avial. Inside the vial is a will be a white powder which is Botox® before injection the powder will need to be reconstituted. The extremely fine powder is dissolved in saline (salt-water) and it then becomes a completely clear solution which is then ready to be administered by syringe.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles and Lines are the common reason for people to choose to have Botox treatments. Upper face treatment can include Forehead lines, frown lines to crow’s feet and bunny lines whereas a lower face treatment would cover marionette, lip, chin and neck lines which can all be reduced with the regular treatment of Botox.

X-Rated

Cosmetic Courses; Picture showing handX-Rated not in nature but in age. Botulinum toxin type A, more commonly referred to as Botox® is actually only licensed for patients aged 18 and over. Here at Aurora Skin Clinics, we would certainly find it unethical to even consider treating anyone under 18, and would never treat anyone unless there was a clinical need. We don’t treat anyone without a full and thorough consultation.

Your face is unique

Everyone’s face is unique meaning treatment for everyone is different. For example; if you have a weak frown then less Botoxwould be used compared to someone with a stronger frown with larger muscles who would require more Botox. It is important to always have a consultation before any injectable appointment so your face can be looked at and a course of treatment which is suitable for you can be decided on.

Zinc supplement

Our final letter on the A-Z of Botox. According to a small study carried out by researchers in the USA, it was found that taking a Zinc supplement could make the effects of Botox® injections last approximately 30% longer. The official supplement is actually known as ‘Zytaze’, and is a combination of zinc and the enzyme phytase. Zinc is thought to be necessary in order for Botox® to act as a neurotoxin. And phytase is an enzyme that helps to slow down the breakdown of zinc in the body. So combining the two into one pill effectively boosts the neurotoxic effects of Botox® on the muscles in the face. Further studies will be required to test the safety and efficacy of Zytaze. But the early signs for the supplement as a beauty booster look promising.

To find out more about our Botox and Filler Courses, or if you would like to become a model with Cosmetic Courses for this treatment, please call the team on 01844 390110 or fill in our quick consent form.

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Male Cosmetic Trends

Cosmetic Courses banne showing, Male trends

Independent Pharmacist Shailesh Patel chats about the increase in cosmetic procedures in men over the past year.

The male market has been steadily growing over the years as male consumers increasingly seek out treatments to support their lifestyle choices.

Although a small segment of the aesthetic market, recent data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has shown Cosmetic Courses; picture showing close up of man with facial markingsthat male clients made up 9% of the total number of those undergoing cosmetic surgery operations in the UK. These numbers have nearly doubled over the past decade (from 2,440 procedures in 2005 to 4,614 in 2015). However, treatments for men tend to be less invasive than for female clients.

This trend could be driven by the subgroup of the millennials known as young urban males  (Yummies). These individuals tend to focus more on personal grooming and health than other age groups. This age group tends to marry later, meaning that they can invest in themselves and their appearance for longer than other age groups.

It is also important to remember that men are unique both physiologically and behaviourally. Having an in-depth knowledge of the male anatomy and suitable training is important to meet the needs of male clients 3.

You should have a separate marketing strategy to target males. Options include; advertising to men through your female clients (husbands, boyfriends, sons, etc.), having specific areas for male clients in your clinic and sections on your website and social media activities focusing on male clients.

Cosmetic Courses have also seen an increase in enquiries for male models. By having a diverse range of sexes, this gives our delegates the best experience in understanding the differences between the sexes, and the techniques that would work best when treating male and female faces.

If you would like to become a model for Cosmetic Courses, please call the team on 01844 390110 or fill in our Contact form

About Pharmacyspace

Pharmacyspace, based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, provides cost effective medical products and consumables for your clinic. Feel free to talk to us about how we can support you with both your male and female clients.

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Remote Prescribing | Pharmacy Space

Remote Prescribing, Information provided by Shailesh Patel, Pharmacist and Owner of Pharmacyspace

Picture Shailesh Patel, Pharmacist at PharmacyspaceAn article in The Times newspaper in December last year regarding the issue of remote prescribing has led to aesthetic practitioners dealing with queries from concerned patients. The following information is provided to support practitioners reflect on their current practice.

  1. Since July 2012, both the General Medical Council (GMC) and General Dental council (GDC) have issued guidance prohibiting practitioners from prescribing Botox and other injectable cosmetics by phone, email, video-link or fax. Before prescribing Botox or other injectable medicines, practitioners need to have a face-to-face consultation to fully assess the patient, understand their medical history and their reasons for wanting treatment.
  2. If you are a newly qualified doctor and are required by the GMC to practice in Approved Practice Settings (APS), then you are not authorised to prescribe Prescription Only Medicines (POM) in an environment outside the APS. This means that doctors who work in clinics outside of an APS cannot rely on other remote prescribing doctors, to prescribe Botox for them to use.
  3. For nurses who are not independent prescribers this can pose additional challenges. As a non-prescribing nurse working with a prescribing partner, the prescriber will need to assess the patient during a face-to-face consultation before prescribing, and additionally, will need to take responsibility that the nurse administering the prescribed medicine under their direction is trained and competent to do so.

Pharmacyspace is based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and is dedicated to providing a trusted and cost-effective service for your clinic supplies. The handpicked team of dedicated staff will ensure that you get the products you need for your clinic, together with a professional service.

For more information on our aesthetic pharmacy partnership with Pharmacy Space, or the courses we offer at Cosmetic Courses, please call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

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Introducing our new Aesthetic Pharmacy partnership

There’s plenty to think about when you’re getting your new aesthetic business off the ground. So at Cosmetic Courses, we like to do some of the heavy lifting for you!

You can’t run a successful aesthetic practice without a reliable, affordable supplier of the products you need.

So we’re delighted to say we have partnered up with Pharmacyspace, a fantastic independent pharmacy. All delegates who train with us at Cosmetic Courses can now use Pharmacyspace to supply all their aesthetic pharmacy needs.

The company is directed by Shailesh Patel, a knowledgeable and experienced pharmacist who supplies to both NHS and private practices.

Why use Pharmacyspace as your aesthetic pharmacy?

1. Competitive prices

Managing your costs is vital, especially in the early days when you’re still trying to build up your client base. So anywhere you can make savings will help your business grow. The competitive prices of Pharmacyspace keep the costs of your products down so your margins are healthier from the get-go.

2. Tailor-made service

Rather than having to order from multiple suppliers, Pharmacyspace can supply everything you need for your clinic so you only need one account. That means only one supplier to pay, so it’s easier to keep track of invoices, as well as being more convenient when it’s time to order in fresh supplies.

3. Easy ordering process

With so much to think about in your business, any aspect that can be streamlined and simplified means less stress for you. Pharmacyspace have made their ordering process as simple as possible so you can quickly and easily get the products you need.

4. Punctual delivery

It goes without saying that the last thing you need when you’ve got patients clamouring for treatment is to run out of product! Your patients may end up going to your competitors and – if they have a great experience – sticking with them. Which could be incredibly costly in the long run. At Pharmacyspace, they make every effort to deliver products promptly, so you’ll always have the products you need when you need them.

More about Pharmacyspace – from Shailesh

Pharmacyspace is a family-owned business based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. It was established in 2011 as an NHS registered pharmacy providing both NHS and private services.

Our sister company Lynam Pharma Limited is our wholesale business which is registered with the MHRA. Both businesses allow us to support aesthetic professionals in their day-to-day practice with both their pharmaceutical and medical consumable needs.

Our vision is to provide a trusted and cost-effective service for clinic supplies in a manner which is simple and straightforward for you. Our dedicated staff are on hand to discuss your clinic needs and our partnership with Cosmetic Courses allows us to ensure you get the support you need in a timely manner.

Shailesh is the superintendent pharmacist of Pharmacyspace. He has had a varied career; initially working in hospital pharmacy at University College London where he completed his Masters of Science in Clinical Pharmacy, then in Australia as a clinical pharmacist before returning to the UK to work for both GSK and Apotex UK Ltd, and finally working in community pharmacy before establishing Pharmacyspace.

The Pharmacyspace team also includes a registered nurse and pharmacy technician.

For more information on our aesthetic pharmacy partnership with Pharmacy Space, or the courses we offer at Cosmetic Courses, please call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

 

 

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Allergan and Pfizer merger – what does it mean for the cosmetic industry?

The news is finally out. Botox maker Allergan and US drug giant Pfizer have announced they are to merge in a deal worth a staggering $160 billion.

Allergan LogoThe merger between the two former rivals creates a new pharmaceutical ‘supercompany’ which is set to be officially the world’s largest pharmaceutical company by sales.

There had long been talk about an Allergan buyout. Indeed, on our blog last year, we covered the unsuccessful takeover bid made by Valeant.

Now this new deal secures the long-term future of the company, and ushers in exciting new possibilities to research, discover and deliver more medicines and therapies.

The future for Allergan

The new company has a combined pipeline of more than 100 mid-to-late stage programmes currently in development.

And with dramatically increased resources to invest in R&D and manufacturing in future, we’re likely to see some incredible innovations in the cosmetic industry in the not-too-distant future.

As Brent Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Allergan, says:

“The combination of Allergan and Pfizer is a highly strategic, value-enhancing transaction that brings together two biopharma powerhouses to change lives for the better. This bold action is the next chapter in the successful transformation of Allergan allowing us to operate with greater resources at a much bigger scale. Joining forces with Pfizer matches our leading products in seven high growth therapeutic areas and our robust R&D pipeline with Pfizer’s leading innovative and established businesses, vast global footprint and strength in discovery and development research to create a new biopharma leader.”

What does it mean for you?

This soon after the event, it’s difficult to say what – if any – impact the merger will have on you and your business in the coming months. 

But at Cosmetic Courses, we have a great relationship with Allergan and are in frequent close contact. As soon as we know about any changes that are likely to affect you, we’ll of course be sure to let you know as soon as we can. So do keep an eye out on our blog, newsletters and social media channels.

For the time being, it’s business as usual – albeit with some exciting new possibilities on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Beyond Botox courses – what you need to learn about patients

Cosmetic Courses: banner showing an introduction to blog what yo need to learn about your patients

So you’ve decided you want to set up in aesthetics, and are busy researching Botox courses. Great choice. But if you really want to be successful in the aesthetics industry, your training is just the start.

To thrive as a Botox practitioner, it’s important to know how your patients and prospective patients feel about treatment. Get inside their minds and understand not only their hopes, but also their concerns – and any barriers that may be holding them back. 

After all, if you know what’s stopping them, you’ll know how to reassure them. 

There are plenty of misconceptions about Botox, and being able to address them with your patients is vital. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually covered during most Botox courses.

So to give you something to think about, here are 4 of the most persistent concerns, along with some guidelines for what to say to your patients.

> Botox is unsafe 

Cosmetic Courses: Photo showing our Botox coursesDespite its popularity and widespread use, some people are still unconvinced about the safety of Botox. They believe that, because it’s a toxin, it has the potential to be harmful when injected.  

But as practitioners, we know that Botulinum toxin is extremely safe when administered in the right dose by a qualified medical professional. So stress that to your patients.

You can also tell them that Botox has been safely used for many years in a medical context, to treat migraines, bladder problems, etc, which should help allay their fears.

> I’ll look frozen and odd

Ah, the dreaded ‘frozen face’. It’s a very real fear for some people that their face will be rendered blank and immobile by Botox. They might have seen unflattering pictures of celebrities and be terrified of having the same outcome.

So for those patients, let them know you’ll take a conservative approach. You can always top up at a later date if needed. Stress that you believe in achieving the most natural results rather than the most dramatic – and if that means erring on the side of caution, so be it.

> Botox is indulgent/only for vain/rich/famous people 

Like most aesthetic pursuits, the early adopters for Botox were celebrities. But it’s now grown in popularity so much that it’s now the world’s favourite non-surgical treatment.

And as it’s grown in popularity it’s become more affordable and accessible. So the chances are that everyone knows someone, or knows of someone, who’s had it.

So let your patients know that far from being something famous/rich/vain people do, it’s something that at least some of their neighbours, friends and colleagues are likely to have done!

> Botox is scary and painful 

Needles and injections can strike terror into the hardest of hearts. And here’s where your powers of reassurance need to be at their best. 

Let them know exactly what they’ll feel. A slight pinching sensation that will be over in a matter of seconds. Tell them people often compare it to a mosquito bite, so if they’ve ever had one of those, they’ll know they can deal with it.

Stressing that the treatment doesn’t require anaesthetic should also help reassure them that any discomfort is likely to be minimal. 

Find out more about our Botox courses

Cosmetic Courses are the UK’s most established Botox training provider. We offer scheduled and bespoke Botox courses to medical professionals at fully equipped training centres throughout the UK. For information about our Botox courses, or to book, call us on 01844 318317 or email [email protected].

 

 

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Excuse me, where are the Dentists and Botox? Aisle 6, Sir…

An enterprising dental practice in Carlisle has come up with a cunning plan to make treatment more accessible to patients.

The Centre for Dentistry has applied to Carlisle City Council to convert part of the Sainsbury’s in Caldewgate to a dental surgery.

But not just any dental surgery.

The plan is to offer cosmetic treatments, including chemical peels and Botox, to shoppers in the store.

Dentists and Botox alongside the beans

Thanks to a long-standing partnership, the business already operates in 25 Sainsbury’s stores around the UK. But if given the go-ahead, the Carlisle surgery will be the first to offer aesthetic treatments.

Subject to approval by councillors, the surgery will be open from Monday to Saturday, with an emergency clinic on Sundays. It will be in a prime position right at the front of the store.

The firm bills itself as “a new and very different kind of dental practice offering general, cosmetic and specialist dentistry to all”. And with innovative plans like these it’s hard to disagree.

Any Botox for you today Madam?

Offering Botox and other non-surgical treatments in the reassuringly familiar surroundings of the supermarket will no doubt help to demystify the treatments.

What once required a daunting trip to a specialist skin clinic will become as routine as picking up something for dinner.

Add in the sheer convenience of being situated somewhere people return time and time again and it seems likely shoppers will be tempted to give treatment a try.

A spokesman for the company said: “Our practices are situated conveniently in selected Sainsbury’s supermarkets throughout the UK. By working in a close partnership with Sainsbury’s, we can provide highly convenient, friendly and complete dental services.

“This is a good alternative to expensive, privately run high street dentists or busy NHS dentists with long waiting lists.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “The Centre for Dentistry are progressing plans for a new site and we look forward to planning decision in the near future.”

Cosmetic Courses have been bringing Dentists and Botox together since 2002, with our expert Botox courses for Dentists. For information on any of our training courses, please call the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

 

 

 

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Botox treatment for ‘gummy’ smiles

The uses of Botox are many and varied, with the product currently licensed for all kinds of applications, both medical and aesthetic. Best known as an anti-wrinkle treatment, Botox is also used to combat excessive sweating, treat urinary incontinence, relieve migraines and reduce muscle spasms.

And the newspapers last week featured another aesthetic application for the drug – treating gummy smiles.

Injected into the upper lip, the drug temporarily reduces the strength of the muscles which pull the top lip up toward the nose when a person smiles. Consequently, the amount of gum revealed is smaller, creating a more pleasing “Hollywood” smile.

Dentists and cosmetic surgeons broadly agree that the ‘ideal smile’ sees the upper lip sit roughly level with the top of the teeth, with a maximum of only two millimetres of gum showing. According to Dr Stan Heifetz, a New York based cosmetic dentist, “Anything over three to four millimetres of gum showing starts to look ‘gummy'”.

To date, the most widely used treatment for correcting gummy smiles has been surgery, with several different techniques available depending on the underlying cause, including lip repositioning or gum lift/contouring surgery (gingivectomy).

But Botox has the advantage of being much quicker, taking only around 10 minutes to administer, as well as being far less invasive and cheaper for patients. And as with wrinkle treatment, results are fairly long-term, typically lasting for up to 6 months.

This particular use for Botox offers another popular treatment to add to your clinic. Here at Cosmetic Courses, we have been offering training in this technique for many years as part of our Advanced Botox & dermal fillers course.

For details on training in advanced Botox techniques, including treating gummy smiles, or to find out more about any other course in our programme, please give our team a call on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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Allergan Vs Valeant – the takeover saga continues

Who knew a takeover bid in the pharma industry would be so thrilling? The battle between Allergan Vs Valeant is shaping up like an epic tennis match, with shot after shot screaming back over the net.

The last was from Valeant, who announced they were seeking to bypass Allergan’s board of Directors and take their hostile bid directly to shareholders.

But now Botox maker Allergan have hit a blistering return. To head off the $53 billion hostile takeover bid, the board are preparing a slew of measures – including taking on debt to buy back their own shares.

Also on the table is a plan to make acquisitions of its own (anything Valeant can do…), as well as a round of spending cuts to increase shareholder value, according to Chief Executive David Pyott.

The hope is that these measures will be enough to persuade shareholders that Allergan is better off going it alone.

It’s thought that Allergan will officially reveal their masterplan when they release their second-quarter results later this month. But even then it seems the battle won’t be over.

Valeant have hit back, saying they already have enough shareholders on side to call a meeting to try and replace Allergan board members with nominees who support their takeover bid. They need the support of shareholders who hold at least 25% of the company’s shares.

Financial Analyst Ronny Gal says that while it’s possible for Allergan to swing things in their favour, they will find it challenging.

“When I run my numbers, a buyback alone doesn’t quite cut it. A buyback plus another round of cost cuts, or the acceleration of the discussed cost savings, does.”

An acquisition could help them, according to Gal, but only if it increases their profits – and quickly. To win round short-term investors, he says, Allergan needs to deliver another $10 per share in 2015 or $11 per share in 2016.

Get comfortable. Allergan Vs Valeant is going to run and run…

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Valeant seeking to bypass Directors to ‘seal the deal’ for Botox maker Allergan

This is the story that just won’t go away. We recently wrote about Botox maker Allergan rejecting a takeover bid by Canadian pharmaceutical company Valeant. But it seems Valeant have rhino hide, and won’t be letting rejection put them off.

It’s been reported that the conglomerate will this week launch an exchange offer for Allergan Inc, which will allow them to bypass the board of Directors and take their hostile bid directly to shareholders.

Allergan has already rejected Valeant’s $53 billion offer, but the company’s largest shareholder, Pershing Square Capital Management, has indicated it will be seeking a special meeting later this year to change most of Allergan’s board.

To trigger the meeting, Pershing needs to ensure the support of 25% of Allergan’s shareholders – an increase of 15.3% on its own holding of 9.7%.

Despite the challenge ahead, Valeant’s Chief Financial Officer Howard Schiller is bullish about their chances of shoring up the support. He pointed out that more than 50% of Allergan’s shares have traded since news of Valeant’s offer first leaked out on 21st April.

Talking about the controversy surrounding their approach to Allergan, Valeant’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Pearson, said:

“Hostile is not our preferred approach. But this deal was so strategic and financially compelling that it really makes sense.”

It increasingly seems that it’s a question of when, not if, this deal will finally go ahead.

 

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