Many people will have had, or heard about, anti wrinkle injections. A small amount of a paralysing agent is carefully injected into certain muscles in the face to reduce wrinkles. Wrinkles are created when the skin is bunched up due to the muscle activity. Over time, these repeated movements can cause lines which make us look older.
Anti wrinkle injections are a relatively safe, popular procedure to reduce lines and wrinkles.
What is Botox or Siax?
Botulinim toxin is a temporary paralysing agent used to reduce wrinkles. It is injected in small amounts to prevent the muscle activity that exacerbates our existing wrinkles but also prevents new ones from forming due to repeated frowning and facial movement. There are many brands of this toxin including Siax, Botox and Dysport.
How does Botulinim toxin work?
Botulinum toxin works in a few days and lasts a few months. Doctors trained in botox take great care to achieve a natural look so that you can still maintain facial expression and avoid a conspicuous ‘frozen’ look. Your doctor will discuss your concerns and plan a treatment that is appropriate and discuss other options that may be appropriate for your concerns.
Common areas to treat include
- Forehead lines
- Wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet)
- The area between the eyebrows (glabella)
- Over the eyebrow in women to achieve brow lift.
- ‘Bunny Lines’ of the nose
- More advance areas include
- Vertical lines running from the upper lip
- Dimples of the chin
- Downturned mouth
- Platysmal neck bands (neck bands)
- Gummy smile
Is botox just for wrinkles?
Botulinum toxin is also used for headaches. Because it can prevent muscle contractions, it has been used with great success in helping people with migraine or similar headaches. Finally, botulinum toxin is injected to help stop excess sweating of the palms and armpits.
What are the risks and side effects?
Botox involves an injection using a very small needle. Ice or numbing cream is used to manage the pain and the vast majority of people have only minimal discomfort. Your doctor will advise you of the risks and side effects of having botox injections. This includes bruising, pain, bleeding due to the needle and if the botox moves to an unintended muscle, there may be facial drooping, eyelid drooping, double vision or asymmetry of the face. These are reversible as botox typically lasts 3 months.
A small headache may occur in the first few days as the muscles adjust. There is a risk of asymmetry of the appearance of the face and especially eyes; this usually resolves by 14 days after the injection however it is recommended to speak with your doctor about this.
How many appointments does it involve?
Botox is best delivered in 2 stages. The first stage involves a smaller amount of botox injected into key areas over the wrinkles in question. It is best for a patient to return a week or so later for a ‘top up’ based on the effect of the first series of injections and whether this has proven adequate for the treatment.
