Anti-wrinkle injections

THE ART OF ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS

The art of creating a naturally refreshed younger looking face without looking “stunned” and expressionless requires advanced injecting techniques and individualised dosing. At Dr Marr’s all clients are assessed on an individual basis and there is no “standard doses” that fit all. A treatment plan is developed according to their individual needs and a 2 week follow up post treatment is mandatory to ensure the best aesthetic outcome.

THE SCIENCE OF ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS

What are anti-wrinkle injections and how do they work?

Anti-wrinkle injections are composed of a natural, purified protein that relaxes specific wrinkle causing facial muscles to create a younger, softer, and natural-looking appearance. Anti-wrinkle injections work by inhibiting the communication between the nerves and the muscles and stopping these muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles.

What does the treatment involve?

Treatments with anti-wrinkle injections involve having a number of small injections in the treated areas. The needles used are tiny micro needles and any discomfort experienced is minimal and well tolerated. A local anaesthetic cream  can be used to help reduce any discomfort. The effects of anti-wrinkle injections start at 2-3 days, but may take up to two weeks for maximal effects.

What areas / conditions can be treated? Upper facial lines:

Frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines across the forehead, around the eyes, nose lines

Lower face: Lines around the mouth, corners of the mouth to prevent the pulling down of mouth corners, improve dimpling and creasing of the chin

Jaw: The masseter muscle which is involved in chewing is treated with anti-wrinkle injections for those people who have a square jawline/face and a protruding masseter muscle. Treatment of the masseter muscle with anti-wrinkle injections often helps with bruxism (teeth grinding), and headaches that are caused by this muscle.

Vertical neck bands: Vertical neck bands are caused by changes in the platysma muscle which is the band of muscles from the collar bone to the jawline. With the aging process, this muscle can separate into bands which is aesthetically unpleasing. Anti-wrinkle injections are used in these bands to soften them. Anti-wrinkle injections can also be injected into the neck bands to reduce the downward pull of the platysma muscle on the corner of the mouths and along the jawline with resulting lift in the face.

Medical conditions: Hyperhidrosis, migraine, blepharospasm, facial asymmetry from Bell’s Palsy

What are the possible side effects or complications?

Every medical procedure carries a risk and it is important that you understand the risks involved. Although a majority of clients do not experience these complications, your decision to undergo a procedure is based on the comparison of risks to potential benefits. Slight swelling and redness of the injection sites and possible bruising. Other possible side effects include; asymmetrical results, lack of result (usually due to inadequate dosing), puffy eyes (for treatments around the eyes), and a drooping mouth corner (from misplacement of the injections). When treating the frown, there is a 1% rate of partial eyelid droop that can last for one month. Any side effect of treatment is temporary and will resolve.

What about lines that are present when you are not frowning or smiling?

These are called static lines. Whilst anti-wrinkle injections can soften them, these lines will need to be filled with dermal fillers (link to dermal fillers)

How long does it last?

Anti-wrinkle injection is a temporary procedure and with the first treatment, you may find that the results last 6-12 weeks. If you maintain your treatments with the frequency recommended, the duration of treatment result will last longer than 3-4 months. If you allow the results  to wear off completely, optimal results are harder to achieve.

How much does it cost?

$12 per unit. As a guide, the frown line in females needs an average of 20 units. Males usually require at least 30.

Anti-wrinkle injections is suitable for treating the following concerns: