Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections Safe?

Anti-Wrinkle Injections – What you need to know for safe treatment

  If you think medical aesthetic treatments were initially made for people in the entertainment and modelling industries, then think again. It’s no surprise that as this type of treatment advances, Anti-wrinkle injections are becoming more popular – both for men and women. They are great for people who are looking to smooth out their fine lines and wrinkles. They can either be used as a preventative measure, or turn back the hands of time when wrinkles have already made their appearance. Believe it or not, anti wrinkle injections were actually discovered in 1897 by Dr Jean Carruthers. The product was used to treat muscle spasms, but as a result of treatment, her dermatologist husband realised this was also quite effective for the patient’s crows feet in the same area. That’s when anti-wrinkle injections as a cosmetic treatment was created.  

So What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections? 

You’re probably thinking of Botox, right now. While that may be true, it is an over-specified example for a general thought. Botox is a brand of Neurotoxic Injections along with others such as Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. These injections use a neurotoxic protein called Botulinum Toxin which is produced by a species of bacteria. Hold up! Before you get squeamish about the thought of poison and bacteria guano entering your face, you should know that it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. The process is basically a non-invasive (non-surgical) injection. It is used to gently relax the muscle by blocking the connected nerves. In small and controlled dosages, it is used to induce safe and localized muscle suppression. This stops muscles and skin from bunching up – creating the wrinkle. Anti-wrinkle injections can be coupled with Derma Fillers. It’s the same non-invasive procedure, but instead of relaxing the muscle it provides volume to enhance facial contours and improve on features that need plumping. Derma Fillers offer more than just smoothing out the wrinkle lines. There are various FDA and TGA approved cosmetic products that are used for specific purposes. These include emphasising facial lines around the nose and mouth, plumping lip volume, filling sunken cheeks, and improving symmetry in facial features.  

How Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Work?

Our facial muscles are always on the move. Smiling, frowning, laughing – all these facial expressions need muscles to work. Over many years, the accumulation of muscle movements (and the constant degeneration of overlying skin) take its toll by developing wrinkles. The neurotoxin in anti-wrinkle injections block nerve impulses directed to specific facial muscles to avoid contraction. As a result, wrinkles form. The effect of anti-wrinkle injection treatments is two-fold:

• Short term – injected areas relax the muscles (or at least diminished of movement) to help prevent forming prominent wrinkles;
• Long term – relaxed muscle areas allow overlying skin to recover and restore wellness for a more genuine and longer-lasting effect.

What’s better is the injection needles used in Australia are much thinner than they used to be. These small needles reach just below the skin surface, so there’s minimal discomfort. A numbing cream is applied to the area prior to injecting to relieve any pricking sensation. However, for those who have been through multiple sessions and are used to it, a numbing cream won’t even be necessary. Unlike invasive surgery procedures that could leave you in pain, bruised and swollen (with recovery time needed), the results of anti-wrinkle injections are instantaneous with very little to no recovery time at all. You can easily go on with your evening plans after a quick session in the morning.  

What areas can Anti-Wrinkle Injections Treat?

 

Improve Facial Wrinkles with Anti-Wrinkle Injections

There are many types of facial wrinkles that are brought about from different facial expressions and facial muscle movements:

• Bunny Lines may sound cute and cuddly but it’s not really something you would appreciate having. They are formed along the bridge of your nose and are caused by actions such as face-scrunching and eye-squinting.
• Crow’s Feet doesn’t give you the comforting tone like the Bunny Lines do. It is how it sounds like. They appear to be claw marks coming from the outer tip of your eyes. Squinting, smiling and laughing cause these.
• Frown Lines are wrinkles developed through expressions of negative and uncertain emotions such as sadness, anger and confusion. And they continue to get worse as you stress yourself over them. These types have the greatest susceptibility to becoming permanent if no action is taken. They are lines that form in the middle of your brow as muscles contract toward the middle.
• Accordion Lines are deep vertical lines extending from the side-tips of your lips, caused by smiling and laughing. Severe cases show lines even when the area is relaxed.

 

Improve Facial Symmetry with Anti Wrinkle Injections

The human body is naturally asymmetric but there are cases where it becomes too evident to ignore. Most common cases are uneven cheeks or lopsided lips. Derma fillers solve this by pumping out the smaller or flatter side. Anti-wrinkle injections can also offer treatment for facial muscle weakness and paralysis. Patients with Bell’s Paralysis are advised to undergo safe and quick Anti-wrinkle injection treatment to temporarily resolve one-sided facial weakness and alleviate signs of unevenness. For patients with synkinesis exhibiting involuntary twitching and localized muscle contractions, anti-wrinkle injections are administered to relax these identified areas.  

Improve Sweaty Armpits with Anti Wrinkle Injections

Believe it or not, Anti Wrinkle Injections can also be used to treat sweaty pits with its nerve-blocking properties. The Botulinum Toxin suppresses the nerves associated with stimulating the sweat glands in your armpit, making dry pits that are less likely to develop order and discomfort.  

What are the Possible Side Effects of Anti Wrinkle Injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections are generally considered safe when administered by experienced and licensed professionals. But, there are possible risks associated with this type of treatment depending on the situation. The majority of side-effects are minor pains and temporary numbness which go away quickly on their own. Some adverse effects could include swelling and bruising which are temporary and can be alleviated by simple measures. You local skin therapist will guide you through the possible side effects of your treatment, and measures to relieve this following your session. It’s important to always share any medical history you have with your local skin therapist, to help avoid complications.   As with any medical procedure, there are cases in Australia of permanent (and even fatal) damaging effects following cosmetic injectable treatments. These cases are rare, and are typically experienced when unauthorised (or black market) consultants are used.

That is why we can’t express enough just how important it is for your health to use qualified doctors and nurses who are professionally trained in administering injectables.

To really hit this message home, here are some more extreme effects of poorly administered anti-wrinkle injection treatments:  

Overshot Area

Sunken eyelids are possible side-effects that you could expect while treating your crow’s feet or frown lines. While drooping mouths, and sometimes drooling, can be observed from patients who have undergone injections to their accordion lines or prominent nasolabial folds. It is not a cause for much distress as laxed muscles recover a few hours to at most a day after treatment. Experienced cosmetic practitioners are competent and well-equipped to perform accurate and safe procedures to avoid these kinds of mild side effects. It is highly discouraged to undergo treatment from inexperienced practitioners without higher supervision or underground doctors for the sake of cheaper services.  

Allergy and Rejection

Never ever hide anything from your cosmetic practitioner just so you could pass for the treatment. Licensed professionals need to know your medical history to identify possible conflicts with the treatment or product being injected. Underlying health conditions such as neurological diseases and allergies could cause fatal results if not considered. Pregnant women are also not allowed to undergo treatment to avoid severe risks. It is important to disclose much needed information to put things into proper consideration.  

Infections and Swelling

Bruising and swelling are common body reactions to the injection of foreign material. An ice pack would do just fine to relieve pain and help minimize swelling. If the pain and swelling worsens, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.

How to Achieve the Best Results from your Anti-Wrinkle Injection Treatment?

Anti-wrinkle injection treatment is a safer and more practical alternative to invasive procedures like surgery. This easy access and simple method doesn’t demand much preparation on your side. This means you won’t have to move a big chunk of your week’s schedule just for your treatment. Achieving the best results boils down to your choice of cosmetic professional, how honestly you communicate with them, and how disciplined you are at following through with post-treatment routines.  

Preparation for your Anti-Wrinkle Injection Treatment

Pre-treatment preparations should be taken to provide the most effective and safest results. In your initial consultation with your local skin therapist, vital information such as health conditions or medication intake should be shared prior to your treatment.  

Anti-Wrinkle Injection Post Treatment Care

After treatment, there are a few things you can do to make yourself more comfortable and alleviate any discomfort. Try not to apply too much stress to the affected area, such as vigorous rubbing or massaging, as well as lying down horizontal for at least 4 hours following treatment. You can simply proceed to your day with only light activities. Avoid excessive exercise or sweating, and where possible refrain from using makeup on the treated areas. As with all medical treatments, you’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your cosmetic professional.  

Choosing the Right Professional for your Anti Wrinkle Injection Treatments

It is important to do your research to educate yourself with the process of Anti-Wrinkle Injection treatments. Knowledge is key when it comes to getting the best results from your treatment. You also want to choose a professional who has a lot of experience, and is properly trained in cosmetic injectables.  Local Skin Therapies is one of Australia’s largest directories for professional skin therapists. Check us out for a local cosmetic injectable professional near you today.