Anti-wrinkle injections can be given to eliminate wrinkles, eye wrinkles, frown lines, smoker’s lines, and nose bridges
Anti-wrinkle injections contain a substance that relaxes the small facial muscles below the skin, causing lines and wrinkles to disappear. Dr Feldman offers these treatments in her clinics in South Yarra, Melbourne (near Toorak, Prahan, Windsor and Richmond) .
Anti-wrinkle injections take very little time to administer – usually less than 20 minutes, with results lasting for anywhere up to approximately three to six months. The procedure can also be used in conjunction with dermal fillers to help treat both dynamic and static wrinkles.
Anti-wrinkle injection Q & A
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections are made of a chemical neurotoxin produced by a particular bacteria. This bacteria, it’s organic state, can result in serious, life-threatening paralysis. However, for purposes of injection, the neurotoxin is purified, enabling it to be used as safe, injectable medicine. It is safe to use as medicine as it is used in very small quantities and injected directly into specific areas.
How do anti-wrinkle injections work?
Anti-wrinkle injections treat wrinkles formed by facial muscle contractions. The injectable substance, a injectable neurotoxin, stops the impulse from the nerve to the muscle, inhibiting the muscle from contracting and therefore forming wrinkles. A common example is the use of anti-wrinkle injections to relax the frown muscles, preventing the appearance of the vertical frown line. It is also often used around the corners of the eyes.
If static lines have been visible on the face for some time, anti-wrinkle injections will not immediately erase these lines (in other words, lines that are visible when the face is at rest). To treat facial lines that are visible at rest, dermal fillers are recommended.
Another benefit of regular anti-wrinkle injections is that due to the muscles relaxing, the skin on top has a chance to heal, visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles, along with preventing more permanent ‘etching’ of wrinkles in the future.
How do anti-wrinkle injections actually treat wrinkles?
Botulinum toxin injections temporarily paralyse particular facial muscles that pull or contract your skin, causing wrinkles. They allow the skin, once injected, to flatten out. Because anti-wrinkle treatments only target specific, individual muscles you will be able to form most facial expressions without constriction.
Are there any neurotoxin side-effects?
Potential side-effects for the anti-wrinkle treatments include very mild swelling or temporary redness, which usually disappears in less than an hour. Occasionally a small amount of bruising can appear, which may last a few days to a week. Very rarely a condition called ptosis, or ‘droopy eyelid’ can appear and can last for up to one month. Fortunately, there are medical eyedrops to temporary reverse this condition. Some people report a flu like illness. Some report headaches.
Can I still make facial expressions?
Your facial appearance will not change. Particular muscles that cause frown lines will simply become less active, however you will still be able to pull facial expressions .
Are neurotoxin treatments painful?
There can be some discomfort with injections, but these can be greatly minimised by the use of either a cold pack applied prior to the treatment or applying a topical anaesthetic cream. The entire procedure is brief, with most patients being in an out the door within thirty minutes with no downtime required.
Where is the anti-wrinkle treatment most commonly injected?
- Eyes – around and lower eyelid fine lines
- Forehead – both horizontal lines and vertical lines, just above the eyebrows
- Mouth – either fine lines on the upper lip
- Chin –
- Cheek – to reduce a square cheek, to reduce the muscles that cause Temporomandibular joint pain
What else is this substance used for?
The neurotoxin in these anti-wrinkle injections are is also used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the armpits. This is a condition that affects approximately 1% of the population and does not respond to the use of antiperspirants. The substance is injected into the skin around the sweat glands to inhibit activity, reducing the amount of sweat produced under the armpits.
How long does the antiwrinkle injection treatment last?
Anti-wrinkle injection treatments can last up to 4 to 6 months. Results vary between individuals.