ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS
ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS
At a glance....
12 weeks
Average longevity
15 minutes
Duration of appointment
Botox by Allergan
Product used
Introduction
Anti-wrinkle injections are a fabulous treatment to reduce and soften the look of those pesky forehead creases, crows feet, smokers lines and elevensies (those creases between our brows!).
Anti-wrinkle injections contain Botulinum Toxin A (a medication) which is injected into the muscle with very fine needles. The brands we use at KITA-AESTHETICS are Botox produced by Allergan. It is administered by injection at specific points on the face which is determined by your practitioner. The treatment gradually takes effect over a week to ten days.
When administered, Botulinum Toxin A binds to a specific protein called SNARE at the motor endplate that sends chemical messages (neurotransmitters). Botulinum Toxin A blocks the neurotransmitter protein acetylcholine from being released which prevents the muscles from contracting, therefore paralysing the muscles.
Although Botulinum Toxin A binds quickly the preventing of acetylcholine from being released takes up to 2 weeks which is why Botulinum Toxin A is not immediate.
How long does it last?
The effect of treatment lasts on average 12 weeks after initial treatment. Muscle movement is expected to return at week 8 after treatment therefore the ‘frozen’ result does not last the entire 12 weeks and is expected to diminish after the 6 week point.
This treatment is for an improvement of fine lines, not perfection. As static wrinkles due to skin thinning will not be improved by botulinum toxin, other types of treatment may be required. Some clients will not achieve a fully 'frozen' look. Please note, the purpose of Botox is to reduce movement. It is not guaranteed to fully stop movement.
What are the risks and side effects?
Allergies and side effects to Botulinum Toxin A treatment are extremely rare. The results of treatment cannot be guaranteed. Most people find that the injections cause only mild discomfort. Immediately after the treatment, there may be mild swelling, which usually disappears after 30 mins.
Afterwards, the injection site can be slightly red for about one hour. In a small number of cases a bruise may occur.
Rare side effects include: headache, nausea and flu-like symptoms. In very rare cases patients may also develop antibodies or allergies to the toxin, experience double-vision and watering eyes.
If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother or sufferer from neuromuscular diseases such as Bells palsy or Myasthenia Gravis, treatment is not recommended.
For treatment of the upper face, such as frown and forehead, there is a very low risk of brow ptosis (drooping of the eyebrow) or eyelid ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), which completely reverses with time.
For treatment in the lower areas of the face, as the treatment involves the temporary relaxation of the muscles, your facial movements will change and feel different. For example, with treatment of muscles relating to the lips there is a strong likelihood that control of your lips will feel different, i.e. you may be unable or find it harder to drink from a straw, to whistle, find it difficult applying lipstick in your usual way or you may need to adjust the way to drink from a glass as you will be unable to tense your treated lip to the same extent as you could before treatment. It can take some time to get used to a new sensation, but the effect will reverse over time and you will return to your normal movement.
Please be aware that we do not offer 'Botox brow lifts' at KITA-AESTHETICS.
Which areas can be treated?
50 units of Botox does 1-2 areas
100 units of Botox does 3-4 areas
The muscle group (frontalis) that is responsible for moving the eyebrows up and down (the middle/top of the forehead) that create the horizontal lines in the middle/top of the forehead.
The muscle group (glabella) which is between the brows and a little above the eyebrow that make the eyebrows go inwards to prevent the creases forming between the brows
Crows feet (both side) which crease when smiling
Bunny lines which are lines that are created when the nose is creased.
Masseters (jawline muscles) to prevent the jawline muscles from clenching as hard for those who have large jawline muscles (two areas)
Chin to prevent dimpling of the chin or creasing just below the lip
Perioral lines (lines above the lip) to lessen the puckering of the skin around the mouth. Please note that Botox here can affect speech and eating. For static lines already present at rest Botox will only prevent these creases from becoming deeper.
Gummy Smile to prevent the top lip being pulled up as high to reduce the exposure of the gums when smiling.
