BOTOX ®
Wrinkle reduction with botulinum toxin type A.
Anti-wrinkle injections are composed of a natural, purified protein – botulinum toxin type A. When injected into specific facial muscles, wrinkle-causing muscles are relaxed to reduce dynamic lines and create a younger, softer, and natural-looking appearance.
Anti-wrinkle injections treat wrinkles caused by the contraction of facial muscles. They inhibit the transmission of neurotransmitter from the nerve to the muscle and stop the muscle from contracting and forming wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections do not immediately improve static lines, or lines that are present at rest. These lines can be treated, by adding volume with dermal filler or through other skin treatments. With repeated anti-wrinkle treatments, the skin that is normally creased has time to rest and recover and an improvement in static lines may be gradually seen. The fact that anti-wrinkle injections also stop the constant compression of skin prevents the permanent ‘etching’ of wrinkles in the areas treated.
Anyone can benefit from botulinum toxin, both men and women. Anti-wrinkle injections are most commonly used for treatment of frowns, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. They can also be used to create an eyebrow lift, to stop the mouth from pulling down, reduce gummy smiles (by lowering the upper lip), and to reduce neck-bands. Anti-wrinkle injections can also be used to reduce sweating when injected into the underarms.
Treatments with anti-wrinkle injections involve having a number of small injections in the treated areas. The process takes only a short time to perform. The needles used are extremely fine, and only a small volume is injected. The discomfort experienced is minimal, short-lived and well tolerated, so there is no need for anaesthesia. However you can opt to have anaesthetic cream or ice put on the area prior to treatment to help reduce any discomfort. The effects of anti-wrinkle injections will begin to appear within 48 to 72 hours, although the full extent may not be visible for up to 14 days.
The duration of effectiveness is dependent on the dose administered and generally lasts up to 4 months. Occasionally on the first few sessions, the longevity can be shorter – around 3 months. Studies have shown that anti-wrinkle injections are more effective and last longer when given at regular intervals of 3-4 months due to progressive weakening of the muscles treated. With time the amount required becomes less and the interval between injections becomes longer. If at any time, you decide to cease treatment, your muscles will return to normal. Wrinkling returns to its previous state, and does not become worse.
Treatment with botulinum toxin sometimes takes more than one session to get the best results. The first treatment lays the foundation for the subsequent treatments, and future treatments allow for any adjustments to be made.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal Filler for wrinkles, lip enhancement and facial shaping.
Dermal fillers are non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to fill or replace the lost volume in static wrinkles, lines and folds that appear at rest, rather than those that appear during facial expression. Unlike anti-wrinkle injections, they do not affect facial muscle contraction. Wrinkles due to facial expression are best treated with anti-wrinkle injections.
As skin ages, both naturally and because of factors such as smoking, sun damage and poor diet; we lose collagen, fat and other natural moisturising substances from our skin. These can be thought of as the natural scaffolding that keeps our skin looking young and firm. As these are depleted our skin becomes thinner and lines, wrinkles and folds develop. Facial volume loss is one of the key factors in the ageing process, and dermal fillers can help to replenish this lost volume, and rejuvenate the face. Dermal fillers can also be used to enhance, define, or enlarge lips, and to shape and volumise the face by injection into cheeks, chins, and nose.
Treatment usually involves the application of local anaesthetic cream to the treated area or a nerve block similar to a dental injection. The dermal filler is then comfortably injected into the treated area to fill out the line, wrinkle or fold. Some fillers contain an anaesthetic in them to help with any discomfort, if a nerve block has not been administered.
Treatment with dermal fillers sometimes does take more than one session to get the best results. The first treatment lays the foundation for the subsequent treatments, and future treatments allow for any adjustments to be made.
