Keeping your face smooth and supple is no easy task. Wrinkles form as our skin gets older and less elastic, and the sun does its fair share of damage too.
Injectable anti-ageing treatments are a quick and convenient way to smooth out those lines on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth without any need for surgery.
Frown wrinkles (Glabella wrinkles) are most commonly seen in patients with excessive sun exposure and those who have overactivity of these muscles often associated with frowning. These are the vertical lines that typically appear when you frown, above the nose and in between the eyebrows.
Forehead wrinkles appear in horizontal lines in the area between the eyebrows and the hairline. These wrinkles are formed when eyebrows are raised. If someone has a particularly expressive face when talking, they may have quite a few of these lines. They run horizontally across the length of the forehead.
Crow’s feet wrinkles (Periorbital wrinkles) are in the outer corner of the eyes and appear more prominent when laughing or smiling. These can result from excessive sun exposure combined with the skin becoming less elastic with age. The skin near the eyes is particularly more fragile and delicate and can be prone to showing signs of ageing.
After a clients first treatment, a follow-up appointment is booked for 2 weeks post-treatment. This allows us to assess how the toxin has taken and if more product needs to be administered. If so, this is free of charge. Botox can take between 3-10 days to take entirely and that’s why follow up appointments are advised to be booked 2 weeks post-treatment.
For example, injecting very small amounts into the lower outer corners of the mouth can help create a less saddened or aged look. Chunky outer cheeks, common in square and Asian faces, in particular, can be slimmed by de-toning these often overly strong and powerful cheek muscles. Another option for reducing heaviness in the cheeks is HIFU treatment.
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding and clenching of the teeth that mostly takes place while we are asleep.
It is a surprisingly common issue, estimated to affect up to 30% of the population. When the symptoms are mild, people may not even be aware of the condition.
However, in more severe cases, it can result in a series of unpleasant consequences, which could include:
Wrinkle reduction injections can be used to treat this condition. Injections are used to weaken the masticatory muscles just enough to reduce bruxism; by lessening the muscles’ ability to clench and grind the jaw. This involves 5-6 injections which are carefully administered in order to retain all the normal functions of chewing, talking and smiling.
Some people naturally have a high lip line when they smile. If this is combined with a deeper maxilla (upper jaw bone) the result can be the appearance of a gummy smile.
A gummy Smile occurs when the upper lip elevates too far above their upper teeth, exposing gums and producing an unattractive smile.
One of the causes is a hyperactive muscle that elevates the upper lip. Occasionally, the gummy smile is also aggravated by a thin upper lip that further contributes to the problem by exposing the upper gum even more.
Fortunately, a gummy smile can be simply and effectively corrected by Botulinum Toxin/Botox injection to reduce the activity of the muscle elevating the upper lip.
Treatment: A small amount of Botulinum Toxin will be injected at both sides of the junction of nostril and nose to mouth fold to weaken the muscles. Within the next 3-4 days elevation of the upper lip will gradually less and your smile is transformed, showing less gum and giving you the confidence to smile without inhibition. The full result will be achieved 2 weeks after the treatment and if needed a free top-up can be administered if needed.
The treatment involves a series of fine injections into the area with the Botulinum toxin
Cosmetically, Botox is most commonly used to relax the muscles in the following areas:
Frown lines
Forehead wrinkles
Crow’s feet
Fine lines on upper lip
Migranes
Excessive underarm sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Lower eye lid – Improves lines and the fold to the lower eye lid
Dimpled chin – Improves a dimpled chin and jawline definition
Platysmal bands – Corrects prominent cords in the neck
Horizontal neck lines – Improves horizontal neck creases (necklace lines)
Masseter muscle (1 area per cheek) – Corrects oversized cheek muscles and slims the face (more common in men)
Gummy Smile
It can also be used in addition, fine lines on the upper lip. In addition to this, Botox can be used to treat migraines and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the hands or underarms.
The effects of the injectable for wrinkles initially last from 3-4 months with a longer duration after a course of 4 or 5 treatments.
Treatment for excessive sweating from the underarms is effective for 6-9 months so it is ideal to have once a year before the summer months.
The toxin reversibly relaxes the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles which are lines that appear when you animate your face. If you have dynamic wrinkles you are suitable for the treatment however static wrinkles ( lines that appear at rest that do not usually improve with Botulinum Toxin) may be best treated with fillers. Treatment is suitable for both male and female clients.
In general, a patient should notice some effect of the botox within 4-7 days of it being injected. However, this time may be shorter for some individuals. The complete effect is generally seen 14 days after the date of the injection.
Potential Botox side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding and bruising, dizziness and faintness.
Avoid rubbing and massaging the treated area for 24 hours because you don’t want to make the Botox spread to other unintended muscles.
Avoid strenuous physical activity. Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol.
Avoid getting facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc. for 24 hours.
Please contact the clinic for any additional advice.
If you require assistance, please contact us.