More and more people are turning to Cosmetic Doctors for rejuvenation techniques, to help their face reflect the way they feel inside.
One such rejuvenation technique is wrinkle smoothing injections. They can be used to relax the specific facial muscles that cause lines and wrinkles to form.
The following information details how wrinkle smoothing injections work and what is involved with treatment.
What are Wrinkle Smoothing Injections?
We use natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating an improved appearance. Derived from bacteria in much the same way penicillin is derived from mould. It is manufactured in sterile laboratory conditions. We are not allowed to name the product we use (TGA regulations) but it's the same one mentioned all the time in the media!
How do Wrinkle Smoothing Injections work?
Many facial wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to make repeated facial expressions. Injections can be used to relax specific facial muscles that cause expression lines. Once the muscles are relaxed, you cannot contract them and continue to make the undesirable facial expressions. Thus, the lines gradually smooth and new lines are prevented from forming.
What does treatment with Wrinkle Smoothing Injections involve?
It is a non-surgical treatment whereby a small amount of product is injected into selected facial muscles by our doctor using a very fine needle. Generally the treatments take around 10 minutes.
Discomfort is typically minimal and brief, and no anaesthetic is usually required. The injection may sting for a few seconds but normal activities can be resumed soon after. After the injection, it takes 2 - 3 days to begin taking effect and about 7 days to see the full effect.
The dose recommended for your treatment will vary depending on your individual situation and the severity of your lines. Our doctor will advise what the best dose is for you and which muscles to inject to give you the best results.
How long do the injections last?
The effect can last up to 4 months before lines slowly begin to return. If you have repeat treatments, the effect tends to last longer. If the dose is not enough for your specific situation, the results may wear off more rapidly.
Do the injections cause more wrinkles to form?
The treatment relaxes the facial muscles that cause expression lines, it does not cause more wrinkles to form. If you choose not to have further treatments your muscles will eventually return to normal activity and your wrinkles will gradually revert to their pre-treatment levels.
Will facial expression be affected?
The treatment works specifically on the muscles treated. This means that any muscle left untreated, including untreated facial muscles, should not be affected. Your doctor will determine the best does for you and which muscles to inject to give you the best results.
Are there any side effects?
In addition to its use for cosmetic reasons, it is also used to treat patients of most age groups in a variety of therapeutic indications including cerebral palsy in children, movement disorders (head, neck, shoulder, face), and axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive under arm sweating).
In the amounts used for the treatment of facial lines, the side effects are usually temporary and localized to the area of injection. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning, bruising or redness at the injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eyelids, lack of feeling, skin tightness and nausea. These are all temporary.
Can Wrinkle Smoothing Injections be combined with other products and procedures?
Many people use a combination of cosmetic products and/or procedures with wrinkle smoothing injections. Your doctor will advise you as to whether or not you will receive better results if wrinkle smoothing injections are combined with other products and/or procedures.
