Your Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Questions Answered
Wrinkles and fine lines are unfortunately part of the aging process and can also be influenced by muscle contractions from facial expressions or sun damage. Even though Botulinum Toxin has been used cosmetically since 1990, there are still some important questions around this treatment option that needs to be surfaced and discussed.
Collagen in the dermis is made up of fibers of protein that, along with elastin, give strength, support, and resilience to the skin. Collagen production starts to slow down as early as a person's 30s.
At the heart of the Élan, Aesthetics business is our commitment to offering our patients the best, safest, and most up-to-date treatments.
In this blog article Jaco, the clinical director of Élan Aesthetics shares answers to some of our client’s most burning questions.
What type of wrinkles can be relaxed using Botulinum Toxin?
Glabellar Lines - The glabella is a patch of skin between the eyebrows and above the nose.
Crow's-Feet - Crow's-feet (also called periorbital lines or lateral canthal lines) are wrinkles that branch from the outer corners of the eyes while smiling.
Forehead Wrinkles - When the frontalis muscle contracts, the brow raises and forehead lines appear.
Bunny lines - Bunny lines occur on the bridge of the nose.
Lipstick lines - Perioral or lipstick lines are vertical wrinkles above the upper lip.
Marionette Lines - Marionette lines are vertical wrinkles that originate at the corners of the mouth and branch downwards towards the chin.
Chin Dimpling - Chin dimpling gives the chin an orange-peel (peau d'orange) appearance.
Is Botulinum Toxin injections safe? Botulinum Toxin is a toxin and no one is really certain of the long-term effects.
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing flaccid paralysis. It is important to know that in large doses this toxin can be fatal.
When we inject Botulinum Toxin into a targeted area the toxin binds with the muscle receptors and quickly becomes inactive. The muscle receptors cannot receive any impulses and within 24-48 hrs the muscle will simply not be able to contract like it was before. Patients see a smoothing effect at the injection site for three to six months. Some younger patients may be able to go even less often. This is a very well-documented and well-researched treatment and to date, no long-term adverse effects have been reported. When we see a patient for this first time we will often follow a cautious approach starting with a low dosage.
We will also advise our patients that in certain cases it is not recommended to have Botulinum Toxin injections.
In certain circumstances, Botox injections are not recommended, including if:
you have a skin infection
you're unwell in any way
you have a neuromuscular condition like myasthenia gravis.
you're taking certain medicines
you're pregnant or breastfeeding
One interesting study around the long-term effects of this study by scientists who looked at the effect of this treatment on identical twins. In this study, one twin received Botox in her forehead and glabellar lines (between eyebrows) routinely for 13 years. The other twin received it only twice during those ten years. The study concluded that imprinted forehead and glabellar lines were not evident in the regularly treated twin but were evident in the minimally treated twin.
Will this treatment gives me a frozen or expression-less look
This question highlights the need to work with a qualified professional who is able to draw on the years of research, their professional training, and personal treatment experience to make sure the treatment targets areas of concern on a micro-level. At Élan Aesthetics we listen closely to client requests and concerns. In some cases, patients prefer to have fewer expressions than others. We are able to tweak doses and techniques to help our clients reach their skin goals safely.
Can erase all my wrinkles?
Here it is important to distinguish between active lines and passive lines. The active lines are normally highlighted when you move facial muscles, for example, lifting your eyebrows, frowning, or smiling. Bo is particularly helpful for addressing active lines. A passive line is prevalent when you lose elasticity and collagen in your skin. These lines are more engrained and permanent. Here we have to consider a different type of treatment for example micro-needling or nano needling with targeted skin booster treatments. What I have noticed in the clinic is for those clients that regularly come for Botulinum Toxin injections, their passive lines are also greatly reduced. You might not need to get rid of all the lines but you will notice a big difference in skin appearance.
If I stop these treatments will my wrinkles get worse?
It won’t get worse but it is important to remember that these injections are only impactful for around 3-4 months. It is important to establish a cadence of topping up your Botulinum Toxin treatments.
Are the injections painful?
Every patient has a different pain threshold. About 95% of my patients have reported that they did not experience any discomfort and I certainly try and minimise this by using a very fine sharp needle.
Once I start these treatments do I have to continue?
You can stop at any point. There is no obligation to keep going. It is an aesthetic treatment and has no side effects from stopping treatments.
Will, this treatment affect my body, have a systemic effect?
No, it gets placed in a muscle with great care to avoid any arteries and veins. It is a very low dose, your body breaks it down by your body very quickly.
Is it only used for wrinkles? It can be used for a number of conditions and symptoms.
lazy eye
eye twitching
chronic migraines
neck spasms (cervical dystonia)
overactive bladder
excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
certain neurological conditions like cerebral palsy
What is the difference between Botulinum Toxin and fillers? Can they be used together?
Before we look at the differences, let’s look at what commonalities there are between these two treatments?
It’s a minimally invasive procedure, which has nearly no downtime
It is possible to achieve a natural result.
You may need small touch-ups or top-ups a month after the injection.
Injectables with botulinum toxin will help your facial muscles to relax, so that fine lines and wrinkles will get less visible when contracting your facial muscles. Fillers are used to restore lost volume or reshape volume. We typically use hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body, which keeps your skin supple and resilient. Fillers tend to last a bit longer (8-12 months) than Botulinum Toxin injections (3-5 months) and results are usually visible immediately. We may advise you to consider a combination of treatments to achieve the most optimal result.
If you have further questions please reach out. If you are unsure regarding treatments please book an aesthetic consultation so that we can discuss your questions.