Anti-wrinkle injections, or ‘Botox’, are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, due to their noticeable anti-ageing effects, convenience and minimal recovery time. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that in 2018, over seven million people underwent botulinum toxin injections.
At FACE Cosmedical, we are experts in the use of anti-wrinkle injections to promote a more youthful appearance. Your treatment will start with a skincare consultation to identify and define concerns, which will then be addressed with a personalised treatment plan.
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections, commonly referred to as ‘Botox’, are a cosmetic treatment that uses the neurotoxin, botulinum toxin, to effectively block nerve signals, preventing facial muscles from contracting.
This results in smoother skin around areas such as the forehead and in between the eyebrows, and a tightened, more lifted appearance around the corners of the mouth or eyes. Some people describe the effects as appearing ‘more awake’ and ‘fresh-faced’.
What areas can be treated?
- Forehead (deep lines and wrinkles)
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet (fine lines around eyes)
- Under the eyebrows (for a lifting effect)
- The area around the nose (bunny lines)
- The upper lip (smoker’s lines)
- Downturned mouth
- Chin
- Neck
What else can the treatment be used for?
In addition to the anti-ageing benefits, there are a number of lesser-known conditions that the treatment can be used for.
- Hyperhidrosis (to treat sweating)
- Migraines and headaches
How does it work?
The botulinum toxin suffuses the nerve terminal, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Without the presence of acetylcholine, muscle activity in the area stops. This focal, or site-specific, paralysis of the muscle is what smooths the appearance of wrinkles.
As well as interfering with the release of acetylcholine, it also interferes with the release of pain and inflammatory mediators, including substance P and glutamine, which is why botulinum toxin can also be used as a treatment for migraine headaches.
What products do you use?
- Botox®
- Dysport®
- Xeomin®
What will happen during my treatment?
The treatment itself can take as little as ten minutes. To start with, a numbing cream will be applied, after which the injections will be administered.
When will I see results?
Most patients notice a visible improvement from 3 to 5 days after treatment but this will be different for each individual.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?
The effects of botulinum toxin wear off naturally over time. After the initial effects, the nerve ends will regenerate fully after an average of 120 days. We recommend that you book your next session three months from your treatment date.
Are there any side effects?
Overall, the use of botulinum toxin is relatively safe, with few adverse effects. Toxins type A and B have been extensively studied and utilised in cosmetic medicine.
Adverse effects after treatment with botulinum toxin can include bruising, swelling, discomfort and headaches, in addition to possible muscle weakness, affecting muscles surrounding the muscle that was injected
ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTION PROCEDURE
When it comes to aesthetic interventions, injection of Botox or botulinum toxin is the most common cosmetic procedure performed today. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that in 2018 more than seven million people received botulinum toxin injections.
Most people associate botulinum toxin injections with the treatment of wrinkles; however, this remarkable agent is extremely versatile and used for many other conditions.
Always works in the muscle except for hyperhidrosis (to treat sweating) where it works in the skin.
Botox is a versatile agent commonly used to treat many types of wrinkles. Overall, the use of Botox is relatively safe, with few adverse effects.
Botulinum toxinis known to block nerve signals that contract muscles resulting in a temporary paralysis of the muscles. Toxins type A and B have been extensively studied and utilized in the realm of beauty and cosmetic medicine.
How It Works
After injection into the muscle, botulinum toxin suffuses the nerve terminal and binds thus preventing the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Without acetylcholine, muscle activity stops. This focal, or site-specific, paralysis is what smoothes wrinkles and stops spasms. In other words, Botox works by “paralyzing” the wrinkles away.
In addition to interfering with acetylcholine release, botulinum toxin also interferes with the release of pain and inflammatory mediators including substance P and glutamine, which explains why botulinum toxin is used to treat migraine headaches.
Adverse effects after treatment with botulinum toxin include bruising, swelling, headaches, discomfort as well as muscle weakness which may affect muscles surrounding the muscle that was injected.
The effects of botulinum toxin wear off during time. Specifically, after initial chemical de-nervation, the nerve ends sprout or regenerate and functionality is restored after 120 days. In other words, after altering nerve ending, Botox works for about 120 days before the nerves regenerate.
There is a generic version of Botox—Botulinum toxin type A. Several propriety formulations are on the market, including Botox and Dysport.
Static vs dynamic wrinkles:
