Wrinkle relaxing injections
What are wrinkle relaxing injections?
Botulinum toxin (often just called “Botox”, which is the best-known brand) is a a clinically-tested natural, purified protein which, when injected, can temporarily weaken specific facial muscles. As a result, skin cannot crease as much, so appears smoother and more relaxed. Botulinum toxin has used to treat wrinkles and lines for more than 20 years and used in medicine in much larger doses for even longer. The treatment is reversible, wearing off after between one and four months, depending on how much is used, and is generally considered extremely safe.
Why consider wrinkle relaxing injections?
An expressive face is a beautiful face. However, sometimes we can be over-expressive, causing lines to form on the face. If these lines are formed frequently over time, they can eventually cause a permanent wrinkle.
If the muscles are relaxed, you can still make natural facial expressions, but because the contractions are not so intense, lines do not appear. In this way, it may be possible to delay or prevent wrinkles from forming.
My patients often ask what they can do to smooth away lines and wrinkles, yet still look natural. The specific treatment depends on the type and causes of your lines and wrinkles and is always decided after your personalised consultation.
What happens during the treatment?
What happens during the treatment?
If, after a consultation, you are considered suitable for wrinkle reducing injections, your skin will be cleaned before wrinkle relaxing injections are administered into facial muscles using a very fine needle.
Mr Olivier Amar personally performs all treatments and his gentle and meticulous injection techniques minimise any discomfort. The treatment itself takes only a few minutes and the results will appear over the next few days.
When will I see the results of wrinkle relaxing injections?
You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines. Full results in 30 days.
What areas can be treated?
Areas commonly treated with wrinkle-relaxing injections include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Lines and furrow on the forehead
How long does the treatment take?
The treatment can take between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Repeat visits can be shorter and take between 10 – 15 minutes.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR wrinkle relaxing injections TREATMENT?
It is best to arrive at your appointment with your skin as best prepared for your treatment as it can be. This would ideally include not drinking alcohol for 2-3 days prior to your appointment to lessen the risk of bleeding and bruising, as well as having had plenty of rest the night before your treatment to ensure you arrive feeling calm and relaxed.
It is also advised that you do not consume ibuprofen and aspirin for 1 week prior to your appointment as these can also thin your blood making bruising more likely.
What are the alternatives to wrinkle relaxing injections?
It’s important to understand that botulinum toxin is most effective on lines that are ‘dynamic’ – which means they only appear when your face is moving – rather than lines that are ‘static’, which means they are present all the time.
If you have indented lines or wrinkles that are visible when the face is at rest, you may require a different treatment to smooth them, such as a dermal filler.
It is important to understand that wrinkle relaxing injections cannot lift the face and are not suitable for everyone. Treatments that worked well when you were younger may need to change as you grow older and the proportions of your face change. They can, if inappropriately performed, even result in you appearing more tired. If you have become less satisfied with the results of regular dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxing injections, then they may no longer be the right choice for you. Other approaches, including surgical treatments, may be more effective.
What can I expect after wrinkle relaxing injections treatment?
Soon after treatment there may be slight bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness and itching at the site of the treated areas. This is a normal side effect of the treatment, it is only temporary and as a rule will disappear in one to three days.
How long do I have to wait to return to normal activities following the treatment?
You should avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours to prevent moving the Botulinum toxin or increasing blood flow to the face. You can return to your day to day activities immediately after your treatment.
