Anti-wrinkle injections are non-invasive injections of a substance called botulinum toxin type A. There are many different brands of botulinum toxin type A. The first readily available brand of botulinum toxin was Botox (registered trademark). For a while this was the only brand available. The name stuck - when people refer to anti-wrinkle injections or botulinum toxin in general, they often use the term Botox.

They work by relaxing the muscles that they are injected into.

They help to soften wrinkles by relaxing the muscles that cause these wrinkles.

By relaxing other muscles, they can help with a variety of other aesthetic concerns (more below)

They can be used in a variety of locations over the face. They can be injected into the muscles that cause the following wrinkles:

• Crow’s feet

• Forehead lines

• Frown lines (glabellar lines or elevenses)

• Bunny lines

• .

Their use is not limited to anti-wrinkle treatments. They can also be used to:

• Relax muscles under the eyebrow or in the centre of the forehead to create a brow lift

• Relax the muscles that cause TMJ (teeth-grinding)

• Relax the masseter muscles – jaw line slimming

• Relax the muscles that cause a gummy smile

Typically results will start to be seen after a few days. However, it normally takes about 2 weeks before full muscle relaxation is achieved and full results are seen.

Typically, results last between 3-6 months. This varies from person to person, and depends on a variety of factors, including metabolism, which muscles were injected, which brand of botulinum toxin was used and at what dose.

Absolutely not – it’s can be quite the opposite! Once wrinkles form again after the treatment has worn off, many assume that the treatment worsened their wrinkles. This isn't true at all. In fact, repeated anti-wrinkle injections long-term can retrain certain muscles to move less, leading to smoother skin and less need for injections over time.

This term refers to anti-wrinkle / botox injections in the:

• Crow’s feet

• Forehead lines

• Frown lines (glabellar lines or elevenses)

You can resume most of your usual activities after your treatment. However, we recommend the following: For 4 hours after treatment:

• No rubbing or massaging of the injected area for 4 hours after treatment. This includes facials.

• Try to keep upright and avoid lying on your front

For 24 hours after treatment:

• No strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment.

• Avoid excessive alcohol or medications that increase bruising, such as ibuprofen and aspirin (unless needed)

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Absolutely not! Anti-wrinkle injections are suitable for most adults - any age group can potentially benefit from them. We have 2 types of wrinkles:

• Dynamic wrinkles – those that are only present upon making certain expressions (e.g. frown lines that only appear when you frown)

• Static wrinkles – those that are present all the time, even when at a resting expression (e.g. frown lines that are present even when you are not frowning)

Anti-wrinkle Injections can help both these wrinkle types. After treatment, as the treated muscle(s) is relaxed, dynamic lines will disappear. Over time, as you use the treated muscle(s) less, static wrinkles will also soften. Therefore, even if you have many static lines (which we tend to as we age), with time and with repeated treatments, these can significantly reduce.

As previously mentioned, all ages can potentially benefit from these injections. However, ‘baby-botox’ is becoming increasingly popular. This is where smaller doses of botulinum toxin are used at a younger age (20s upwards) to help prevent wrinkles from appearing. How does this work? Repeated facial expression leads to wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles lead to static wrinkles.

• Static wrinkles – those that are present all the time, even when at a resting expression (e.g. frown lines that are present even when you are not frowning)

• Dynamic wrinkles – those that are only present upon making certain expressions (e.g. frown lines that only appear when you frown)

For example, repeatedly frowning leads to the formation of frown lines that remain even when in a neutral expression (i.e. not frowning). By relaxing certain muscles in your face - e.g. frown muscles - the ability to frown is decreased and therefore dynamic wrinkles are decreased. As you are not crinkling the skin as much and forming wrinkles, static lines are prevented from forming. ​ In this way, anti-wrinkle / botox injections, if used at appropriate doses and frequencies, can be used to maintain youthful skin.