Question 1

Which areas can be treated by anti-wrinkle injections?

Accepted Answer

The most commonly treated areas are the forehead (frown lines and horizontal lines) and crow's feet. Other areas include 'bunny lines' next to the nose perioral (smoker's) lines and cobbled chin, As well as creating a smooth appearance of the skin, anti-wrinkle injections can also be used to create lifting e.g. of the eyebrows and the corners of the mouth. They can also be used to drop the lip in individuals with gummy smiles. In addition to affecting skin, botulinum toxin A can be used to stop sweating e.g. underarm sweating, and injections into the masseter muscle help to slim the jawline and treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tooth grinding.

Question 2

How quickly do anti wrinkle injections take to start working and how long does their effect last?

Accepted Answer

Anti-wrinkle injections do not work immediately, most people will start to see an effect after 5-7 days and the maximal effect is seen 2 weeks after treatment. If unwanted residual movement remains at this point a top-up can be used to minimise this. After 2 weeks the effects gradually start to wear off. Thicker muscles regain their movement faster than thinner muscles, so frown lines tend to return before horizontal lines. The duration of treatment depends on many environmental and genetic factors. Factors that speed up breakdown of toxin are fast metabolism, regular exercise and use of sunbeds. Anti-wrinkle injections typically last 3-4 months. The duration of effect will increase over time as the muscle thins from disuse.

Question 3

Are anti wrinkle injections safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the safest aesthetic treatments available. There are only a few contraindications to them and these include patients with neuromuscular disorders such as Lambert-Eaton syndrome and myasthenia gravis, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have previously had a reaction to botulinum toxin A. The amount of toxin injected is tiny when compared to a toxic dose and is injected locally into the muscles rather than into the bloodstream so systemic effects are not seen. Possible side effects, as with any invasive treatment, include bleeding, bruising and infection. There is a very small risk of temporary drooping eyelids but this should not occur if the product is injected into the correct area.

Question 4

What is a top-up and do i need one?

Accepted Answer

A top-up is when we reassess the results at 2 weeks and add more product to specific areas if required. It does not mean a repeat in the full treatment and it must be done between 2-4 weeks post the initial treatment. Personal factors affect the effectiveness of the treatment and this, along with the client’s individual desired effect, determine whether a top-up is required. The top-up is included in the initial treatment cost but it is the patient’s responsibility to request a top-up in the required time frame.

Question 5

How quickly do dermal fillers take to start working and how long do the effects last?

Accepted Answer

Dermal fillers give an immediate result, although there is often swelling and bruising in the initial period that will take time to settle. The hyularonic acid in the filler will also take time to attract water and create its plumping effect. Expect to see your final results at 2 weeks. The duration of action of dermal fillers depends on many factors, both genetic, environmental and related to the product. Thinner product tends to be broken down by the body faster than thicker filler. Lip fillers generally lasts between 9-12 months, whereas nose fillers lasts between 12-18 months.

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Dr Serena Horlick