This anti-wrinkle treatment uses a naturally purified protein to soften and relax lines on your face. These lines are caused by contracting these muscles when smiling, squinting, and frowning. Over time, these facial contractions become second nature, a habit. But, as you age and your skin becomes thinner, collagen and elastin are depleted, and these wrinkles become more apparent.
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A medicine called a neurotoxin derived from Clostridium Botulinum blocks the chemical signals that cause the muscles to contract. These medicines are classified as Schedule 4 cosmetic injectables and are FDA, and TGA approved drugs for use to relax and soften muscles.
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Using a small amount of Type A Botulinum Toxin between the eyebrows, on the forehead and at the corners of the eyes will stop these muscles from contracting. Other treatment areas include: reducing severe underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis), gummy smiles, bunny lines (top of nose), lipstick lines, chins to prevent dimpling, necks to avoid that 'frill neck lizard' look, teeth grinding and facial slimming.
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How is the treatment performed?
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Your skin is cleansed and marked to identify the muscles
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Then anti-wrinkle is injected into the targeted areas
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The needles that we use to inject the muscles are very tiny – usually like an insulin needle
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How long does the treatment take?
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After the consultation and scripting by a medical practitioner, the treatment usually takes less than 10 minutes
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This includes an application of sunscreen after the treatment
Do anti-wrinkle injections hurt?
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Usually they don't hurt at all
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However, some patients say it can feel like a little pinch
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Numbing cream or ice can be applied if necessary
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Potential side effects
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Anti-wrinkle injections are pretty safe with a relatively low complication rate
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The doses are tiny, and the risks are minimal
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Some rare side effects can include injection pain, bleeding, bruising, excessive muscle weakness, headaches, and drooping eyelids (eyelid ptosis)
Recovery & post care
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The results take between 4 and 14 days to take effect.
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Sometimes a spot of redness & bruising can occur, but this is very temporary
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You can go straight back to work
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Avoid touching the injection sites for at least 4 hours
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Don't lie facedown, i.e. don't have a message for 12 hours
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Avoid physical exertion for 24 hours
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Cleanse your face with a simple cleanser, moisturise and always apply 30+ sunscreen
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I usually like to see you two weeks afterwards, either face-2-face or via facetime, to see if the treatment met your expectations
How many treatments do I need?
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You may need to repeat the treatment approximate 3 times a year to maintain your results
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Treatment longevity depends on the dose received, the size and depth of your wrinkles, the area treated, and your lifestyle and metabolism
What do I need to do to prepare for anti-wrinkle treatments?
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You really don't need to prepare for anti-wrinkle treatment unless you're taking anticoagulants
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If you bruise easily, then don't take anti-inflammatories on the day of treatment
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Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
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Don't wear too much makeup on the day of the treatment
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If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you cannot have anti-wrinkle injections
Treatment areas
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All areas of the face
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Jawline slimming
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Underarms
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Hands & feet
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Treatment Costs
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The cost of anti-wrinkle treatment depends on many factors:
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How many units you're getting
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The area being injected
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Whether your lines are static or dynamic
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Whether you want to be frozen or relaxed
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Your facial anatomy, your age, if you're male or female
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It usually costs between $125 to $250 to inject your frown line (between eyebrows)
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During the consultation, costs will be discussed and based on your expected budget
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I typically charge based on units needed, not area, so you only pay for what you need – if you pay by the area and you only want a tiny bit, it is not really cost-effective
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