Anti-wrinkle injections are becoming increasingly popular among men and women alike, who are looking to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and refine their overall look. Often used as a preventative treatment, they can be a quick and effective way to ‘stop the clock’ and boost confidence levels.
But how do anti-wrinkle injections actually work? Keep reading as we delve deeper into how this treatment works, when you will see results and what you can expect if you book an anti-wrinkle injectables treatment with us!
How do anti-wrinkle injections work?
Anti-wrinkle injectables are actually a purified protein that has been diluted many times and works by blocking the chemical signal that the brain sends to the muscle telling the muscle to contract. This means that when the brain says ‘squint, it’s sunny’, the muscles are saying ‘I can’t hear you’.
In effect the treatment relaxes and lifts the muscle, softening the look of lines and giving a tighter, smoother appearance. Only small amounts of the product are administered so that your body will easily break it down after a period of time and after it has had its desired effect.
How was anti-wrinkle discovered?
The original brand of anti-wrinkle injections has been used for medical conditions like muscular sclerosis for over 60 years. Doctors then noticed its value in treating patients with overactive muscles. Then, through extensive research, it was found to be highly successful in treating children with cerebral palsy.
The cosmetic use, as an anti-wrinkle treatment, was discovered by Ophthalmologist Dr. Jean Carruthers in 1987, when she used the product to treat eye muscle spasms and saw that crow’s feet around the eyes also improved significantly. She spoke to her husband, a Dermatologist, about her observations and he decided to investigate further by trying it on his receptionist. Hence the first anti-wrinkle treatments were born.
When will I see the results?
It generally takes three to 10 days after the treatment for the maximum to develop fully and re-treatment should not occur within that period. The effect can last up to four months, although with regular treatments it may be possible to reduce the dosage. The treatment may be less effective for people over 60 due to poorer muscle tone.
What can I expect at my anti-wrinkle appointment?
The most common treatment areas for wrinkle reduction are crow’s feet (lines around the outer eyes), glabella (between the eyes) and the forehead. Other areas including ‘bunny lines’ (lines on the nose), jaw-line, chin and neck may also be treated and at Australian Skin Clinics, we have experienced practitioners who treat even the most complex areas. Muscle relaxants can even be used to treat excessive sweating and jaw grinding.
Following treatment, a review appointment is advised to assess the effectiveness of the dosage given. Although side effects are very rare, being treated by an experienced practitioner will reduce your risks further.
The aim of anti-wrinkle injections is to give a natural result to help patients look their best for their age and to assist in preventing further lines emerging. It is not an exact science and a competent injector will always err on the side of caution for the first treatment – it is easy to add extra but we cannot remove over-treatment!
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