Anti-Wrinkle Injection Guide: What Is It, Benefits, Risks, Aftercare and More.
Considering anti-wrinkle injections but want to learn more? In this blog you’ll get a complete guide to them, including benefits, uses, side effects and more. So whether you’re thinking about trying this popular anti-aging treatment, or just curious to find out more, read on to find out everything you need to know.
1. What are anti-wrinkle injections and how does they work
Anti-wrinkle injections are a safe and effective procedure that has been around for many years. At first they were used in a medical setting to help treat certain conditions, specifically to help those with crossed eyes or muscle spasms. Over the years doctors noticed when treating patients with eye spasms, they also experienced a reduction in wrinkles on the forehead. This then began the use of the product as an aesthetic treatment to help reduce wrinkles.
The product itself originates from the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. It works by blocking the nerve signals that would cause a muscle to move, leaving them totally relaxed. If the muscles cannot move, the wrinkles cannot form, and this is what helps achieve that smoother, more youthful complexion that we associate with anti-wrinkle injections. This reduction in movement not only stops dynamic wrinkles (only visible during facial expression) from forming, but also prevents static wrinkles (always present, even when your face is at rest) from forming too!
2. What can anti-wrinkle injections be used for?
It can be used for cosmetic and medical purposes. See below for some examples.
Cosmetic Uses:
Softening lines and wrinkles on the upper face
Preventing the formation of static wrinkles
Lifting the brows to create a more youthful look
Reducing the appearance of a gummy smile
Reducing the appearance of platysmal bands or ‘turkey neck’
Reduce excessive sweating in underarms, palms and feet
Medical Treatments:
To treat migraines or tension headaches
To treat muscle spasms or stiffness
To treat crossed eyes or uncontrolled blinking
To reduce jaw tensions and minimise grinding of teeth
Image source: Instagram @sknplus
3. What are the benefits of anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections are a popular choice for many due to their remarkable effectiveness and diverse advantages. Few non-surgical treatments can match the wrinkle reduction capabilities of this injectable!
The benefits of anti-wrinkle treatments include:
Visible signs of ageing diminished
Youthful and refreshed appearance
Enhanced natural beauty
Quick results, minimal downtime
Non-Invasive
4. What to expect at your anti-wrinkle treatment.
Firstly your practitioner will carry out a medical health check to ensure your suitability for the treatment. Common contraindications that would prevent treatment include, being pregnant or breastfeeding, certain neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis, keloid scarring, certain allergies and medications. Your practitioner should also go through a consent form where they will cover what the treatment involves, aftercare and potential side effects, so that you can make an informed decision that this is the right treatment for you.
Once your suitability for the treatment has been validated, your practitioner should discuss your desired result, advise whether those goals are realistic and then come up with a treatment plan to get you on the way to achieving those goals. For treatment of the upper face, your practitioner will ask you to make a few facial expressions. This helps them identify what muscles need to be treated, and exactly where to inject the product. Once the injection sites have been mapped, your practitioner will carry out the treatment. This part of the process is very quick, typically it only takes a matter of minutes to administer the product. Once this is complete, your practitioner will advise you on what to do and what not to do following your treatment to get the best possible results.
5. What happens after anti-wrinkle injections?
Immediately after your anti-wrinkle treatment you may find some localised swelling, bleeding and bruising at the injection site. You should avoid any extreme facial expressions, touching the treated area, or lying down for at least 4 hours after your treatment as doing so may result in the product spreading to unwanted areas. We recommend avoiding alcohol, heavy exercise and wearing makeup on the treated area for at least 24 hours, and if possible you should avoid sleeping on your face the first night following your treatment.
Your results will begin to show over the next 14 days, and will last up to 4 months. At this point you will be ready for your next treatment, should you wish to maintain your results. If you really want to get the most from your treatments we advise implementing a good skin care regime, and wearing sun protection daily. As UV rays from the sun are a huge culprit for signs of ageing, this will further prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles for a smooth and rejuvenated appearance.
Quick Tip: If you’re planning your treatment around a big event, for example your wedding day or a holiday, schedule your appointment 4 weeks in advance. This gives you time to have your first treatment and review/top up 2 weeks later if necessary.
6. When to start having anti-wrinkle injections.
There’s no hard and fast rule to this, but you’ll get the best results when using anti-wrinkle injections as a preventative measure. The first obvious signs of ageing typically appear around the upper face in the late 20s and early 30s, although of course this does vary from person to person depending on skin type, lifestyle etc. At this age our natural collagen production which helps keep our skin plump and gives us that youthful glow, starts to deplete. Crows' feet start to creep in, and wrinkles in our brow and forehead area can start to form from years of repeated facial expressions. Starting at this age is a great idea as it can help stop those deep set lines and wrinkles from properly forming, and when combined with a great skin care regime or other aesthetic treatments, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your youthful appearance for as long as possible.
For those whose static deep lines and wrinkles have already set in, it can certainly still be used to soften them, but you may also want to consider combining other aesthetic treatments to achieve that fresher, rejuvenated appearance.
7. Is anti-wrinkle safe?
Anti-wrinkle injections are totally safe, however as with any treatment there are always some risks involved. Similarly to all other injectable treatments there is a possibility you may experience bruising and/or swelling at the injection sites. Some clients can experience drooping or raising of the eyebrows, and in rare cases some can experience drooping of the eyelid. Whilst not ideal, these side effects do not pose a risk to your health and will wear off in a matter of weeks. Some common medications probably pose a more risk to your health than anti-wrinkle injections do, so provided you go to an experienced practitioner, the risk of any negative side effects is very slim!
Will I look frozen after a wrinkle relaxing treatment?
The results can look incredibly natural when done right. You don’t have to worry about looking totally frozen (unless that's the look you’re after) as carefully placed injections can achieve soft results that deliver smoother skin whilst keeping some degree of natural movement.
8. Who is suitable for anti-wrinkle injections?
As long as you are over the age of 18, most people are suitable for anti-wrinkle treatments (we typically recommend starting in your mid to late twenties).
However, there are some people who would not be a suitable candidate for anti-wrinkle injections. These include people with allergies to key ingredients in the product, those with muscle or nerve disorders, those pregnant or breastfeeding, those with active infections or skin disorders at the injection site.
Anti-wrinkle injections are suitable for both men and women. The treatment is becoming more and more popular amongst men who are wanting to combat signs of ageing, sometimes bring referred to as ‘brotox’.
9. How long does anti-wrinkle last?
This will vary from person to person depending on the area that was treated, the body's natural response to the treatment, strength of the muscles, lifestyle etc. Typically speaking, the results lasts around 4 months, so if you’re looking to maintain your results year round you can expect to have 4 treatments a year. You may find that the more you have it the longer your results last, but again there is no guarantee of this as every individual’s experience is so different. We advise sticking to the same practitioner for all of your treatments. The reason being that they will get to know your facial anatomy, and know exactly where to inject, what product and what dosages to use to get your desired results.
Tip: The treatment works internally to prevent wrinkles forming, but don’t forget to care for your skin on the outside! To get the most out of your results you should be wearing SPF every day. We also recommend introducing a retinoid which will assist the wrinkle relaxer in preventing signs of ageing.
Bonus Tip For Anti-Wrinkle Clients: Bright sun will cause you to squint and furrow the brows, this activates the muscles that create frown lines and crow's feet. Be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses in the sun to avoid putting extra stress on these muscles
10. Is anti-wrinkle painful?
Numbing is not required, but it is available if you are feeling particularly nervous. The injections are only superficial and the treatment is so quick that you really don’t need to pre-numb. The injection process lasts 10-15 minutes so it's super quick - all you’ll feel is a slight sting when the product is administered, but is totally manageable!
11. The takeaways
If you’re looking to achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance then anti-wrinkle injections could be a fantastic option for you. It is very effective as a means of preventing early signs of ageing, especially when combined with a good skin care routine. And for those who already have static lines and wrinkles, it can help soften their appearance for a more youthful look. The treatment itself is quick, relatively pain free and low maintenance, with top ups only being needed once every 4 months. I hope this has answered any questions you had about anti-wrinkle injections, but if not then please feel free to reach out.
So, if you’re ready to book in for your treatment and start fighting the signs of ageing, then get in touch.
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