All about the Anti Wrinkle

What are anti wrinkle injections?

Many practitioners refer to treatments involving the injections of Botulinum Toxin as ‘anti wrinkle injections’.

Botulinum Toxin is injected using a fine needle, into target muscles with the aim to temporarily block the nerve signal resulting in reduced movement of the muscle. This results in the improvement of lines and wrinkles as the relaxation of the muscles stop the skin from creasing the skin during facial expression.

How it works..

Facial expressions occur when the brain sends nerve signals to the facial muscles causing them to contract in response to voluntary control, automated or emotional response. Botulinum Toxin blocks the transmission of the chemical signal from the nerve reaching the target muscle. Without this signal the muscles are unable to contract and remains in a resting state, therefore facial expressions are relaxed. It is not always possible to stop all movement completely as some people will naturally not be suitable for this, eg heavy eye lids can be contraindicated due to the increased risk of a brow ptosis (A droopy brow). This will always be discussed with you at your appointment if I feel you are more at risk.

The effects of Botox are not instant, most people will begin to see a result after around 5 days, whilst some may not see their full result for 14 days. Once the muscles are relaxed, the skin then begins to heal, this is when lines and wrinkles will begin to improve and in most people, vanish altogether.

A two week review is always offered at Majestic Aesthetics due to the nature of botox, as at two weeks any adjustment doses may be required to achieve the desired result.

Over approximately 3-4 months the nerve terminal recovers and movement in the treated areas restart. Treatment can then be repeated at this time to maintain the desired long-term results.

Static lines

These are deeper lines that apparent on the face when the face is at rest. Static lines can take longer to longer to target, they may soften but they will usually take repeated treatments to begin to see a huge improvement, this is due to the time the skin has to recover and heal when the muscles are relaxed and the skin is no longer being creased by constant muscle action. This is why it is always important to understand that results will vary on individuals, and a lot of factors can play a part in over all result.

Factors that can affect overall result:

• Constant exposure to the sun

• Skin damage from smoking or from the sun.

• Smokers

• High Alcohol intake

• Fast metabolisms

  These factors are just some of the reasons Botox can take longer to achieve desired results, or may wear off quicker (due to the body breaking down the Botox faster)

Contraindications to having Botox:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Neuromuscular disorders

• Antibiotic treatment eg Clindamycin

• If you previously have a adverse reaction to Botox

• Feeling unwell on the day of treatment.

• Taking anti coagulants (Blood thinning medication) This will be discussed with you on a individual basis, as this is not always a reason you can’t have Botox)

Possible Side Effects: Most Common:

• Injection site pain (Usually minimal)

• Bleeding and bruising.

• Swelling at injection site (although this usually resides after around 10 minutes post treatment)

• Transient headaches (may last for a few days)

Least Common:

• Abnormal appearance / spock brow

• Brow Ptosis (drooping of facial muscles)

• Eye pain or visual disturbance

• Muscle twitching

• Flu like symptoms

• Eye Ptosis (drooping of eye lid)

These risks will always be explained to your consultation and a full client examination will be done prior to injecting to reduce the risks.

It takes around 10 minutes to carry out the treatment as I always draw up my clients injection points prior to injecting. Before pictures will always be taken for client records and a consent form and a medical history form will always be carried out before.

Understanding treatment areas:

One Area - Crows feet (Eyes as this area can be treated in isolation)

Two Areas - Forehead and Frown (these muscles should always be treated together due to the way they work in combination with one another)

Three Areas - Crows feet, forehead and frown.

Brow lift - this can be done without treating the frown too (Subject to consultation)

I hope you found this helpful don’t forget to follow me on instagram @majestic_aesthetics_official as I always share educational posts on there too.