Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Anti-wrinkle treatments involve injecting small amounts of a purified, naturally occurring protein into specific areas of the face. The purpose of treatment is to temporarily reduce the movement of facial muscles that can cause expression lines. All anti-wrinkle treatment solutions are prescription-based medicines that can only be administered by qualified medical professionals. Relaxing the muscles in your face, prevents the skin from creasing over time and causing wrinkles. This can help your face look softer, smoother, and more youthful. These products can be used to treat many concerns and conditions such as:
- Forehead Lines
- Crow’s Feet
- Frown Lines
- Eyebrow Lift
- Nose Bunny Lines
- Lifting Corners of the Mouth
- Gummy Smile
- Jaw Muscle Relaxation (Anti-bruxism treatment)
- Chin Softening (Dimpled Chin Softening)
- Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
- Nefertiti Neck Lift
- Muscle Spasms
- Chronic Migraines
Botulinum toxin is not always suitable for lines present without expression (static lines); your clinician will advise you.
Advanced and off-label indications include, lip lines, chin ‘poppling’, muscles on the lower face and neck, to lift the mouth corners, improve the jaw line and the appearance of the neck. The ‘chewing muscle’ may also be treated to soften a square jaw or to prevent teeth grinding or jaw clenching at night.
What is Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. In a purified form, as is the case with many drugs/medications such as Penicillin, Botulinum toxin is a very safe, effective treatment not only used in cosmetic clinics, but also for several medical conditions, including migraine and excessive sweating.
All botulinum toxins are prescription only medicines (POM) and can only be prescribed by doctors, dentists and nurses, midwives, and pharmacists with the prescribing qualification, following a face-to-face assessment and consultation with the qualified prescriber.
Botox® is a licensed brand of botulinum toxin A. Other licensed brands include Azzalure®, Dysport®, Xeomin® Bocouture®.
Botulinum toxins contain albumin, which comes from human blood. No cases of contamination of licensed botulinum toxin products with infectious diseases have been reported.
Preparing for your Treatment
Do read all the information provided to you and highlight anything you need to ask about. Check the clinic terms and conditions before attending.
Make-up
- All make up will need to be removed prior to treatment, so please come ‘fresh faced’ if possible.
Check medicines and supplements
- Aspirin, Ibuprofen and a range of dietary supplements including St. John’s Wort, fish oils, Gingko Biloba, Vitamins C and E- may all contribute to bruising and are best avoided 24 hours before treatment.
Alcohol
- Don’t drink alcohol the night before, it will increase your risk of bruising.
Healthy skin and feeling well? – Check with the clinic before attending if any of the following apply
- You think you may be pregnant
- Acne or eczema break-out in the area to be treated
- Feeling unwell- including colds, coughs, sore throats etc.
- New diagnosis or medicines
- New injury for which you are taking pain medicines
Bring your reading glasses with you
Aftercare Advice
For one hour *following treatment
- Keep the target muscles active, use the expressions we aim to stop.
For six hours *following lip treatment – To avoid infection
- Do not reapply make-up, make-up is contaminated and may cause infection or irritation at the injection points.
- Do not wear tight head-gear such as bike or cycle helmets, or riding hats. These will not be clean and may increase risk of infection.
Until any redness, swelling or bruising has settled
- Avoid extremes of heat or cold or vigorous exercise, until any swelling, bruising or tenderness has settled. Getting hot can worsen or prolong tenderness, swelling and/or bruising.
After treatment it is expected that you will start to see an improvement within 2 or 3 days. For some people this takes longer. The full result may be judged at 2-3 weeks. As it begins to work, you may notice asymmetry or tightness, be patient and don’t judge the result until 2 weeks.
Review Appointment
You will be invited to attend a review appointment at 2-3 weeks where the success of the treatment may be assessed and adjustments to your personal treatment plan made, if necessary.
It is particularly important you attend for review in this time period if you are not happy with the result. We cannot make adjustments after 3 weeks. We recommend scheduling a review appointment when you book for treatment.
Should you experience any unexpected side effects or any that concern you, please contact the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
This may be only a partial reduction in movement allowing some remaining movement or a full block in which case there is very little remaining muscular movement in the area – this very much depends on the amount administered and location of product placement –treatment may be tailored to suit your individual requirements. Your expected treatment outcomes and whether they can be achieved will be discussed at the time of consultation.
