Anti-wrinkle injections 101: what you need to know
You look at yourself in the mirror one morning and notice some lines on your face. As you check yourself every day, you notice that the lines are getting more and more obvious. A pang of worry then kicks in and you know that it might be time for some anti-wrinkle injections.
The skin is the first thing that will show signs of ageing. As we age, our skin begins to wrinkle and sag as it loses its elasticity. Facial lines can easily affect your appearance. Thankfully, modern and scientifically proven beauty products and non-surgical skin treatments are widely available for Australians nowadays. In Sydney and all over Australia, a well-known treatment against skin ageing is anti-wrinkle injections.
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections or injectable muscle relaxants are a popular type of cosmetic procedure used to treat wrinkles and improve one’s appearance. The agents used in the procedure are natural, purified proteins that work by relaxing facial muscles that cause wrinkles. The active ingredient in the injection causes paralysis or weakness of the muscles. As a result, the muscle relaxes and the skin becomes smooth.
This procedure can treat forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet (wrinkles on the side of the eyes), bunny lines (wrinkles on the sides of the nose), and lines on the upper lip. Oftentimes, the procedure is used in combination with other facial rejuvenation treatments.
What should I expect from the procedure?
The anti-ageing agent is injected into the facial muscles using a fine syringe. Since it only uses a syringe, the procedure is painless and minimally invasive compared to surgery, which is why many patients prefer this procedure. In addition, the treatment only takes less than an hour and does not require long recovery periods. Patients can immediately resume regular activities after. Its full effects are noticeable after a few days and can last up to 3 months or even more.
As with other treatments, this procedure may have minor side effects such as bruising on the injected area and slight swelling. These are, however, only temporary and occur rarely. This treatment has been used for many years and is generally safe.
Who makes a good candidate for the procedure?
Wrinkles are caused by a number of factors, including ageing, smoking and repeated facial expressions. If you notice that the lines on your face are becoming deeper or more prominent each time you frown or smile, you can be a good candidate. Ideal candidates for the procedure are individuals between 30 and 40 years old. Patients who are physically fit and don’t have any neuromuscular disease also make suitable candidates. The treatment, however, is not advised for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Some people who haven’t developed facial lines just yet, or only have minor wrinkling decide to get treatment as it is an excellent preventative procedure. There are even a number of patients who opt to start getting treatments in their 20s to prevent or minimise the effects of facial lines.
Just remember that, to achieve the best results from your anti-ageing treatment, whether anti-wrinkle injections or laser treatment, make sure you go to a reliable cosmetic and laser clinic that offers quality services and uses state-of-the-art technology.