Sydney Anti Wrinkle Treatments

Anti Wrinkle injections are one of our most popular injections for anti-wrinkle treatment. Learn how it works, how much it costs and view pictures before making your decision...

The chemical we use to treat wrinkles has been used by neurologists and ophthalmologists for years, notably for the treatment of eye squint and nervous twitching.

It acts by temporarily putting muscles to sleep. For this reason, the method has been called the “Hibernation Method” of treating facial lines.

Lines can be softened, or erased by filler injection, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and even face-lifting. These methods treat the effect of repeated usage of facial muscles, but not the cause. Anti Wrinkle injection works by temporarily (over months) immobilising the overactive facial muscles, and hence breaks the habit of frowning.

The facial lines will simply disappear following these injections.

Which muscles can be immobilised on the face?

• Forehead. Its 3 main muscles (the powerful corrugator, the frontalis and the procerus) give forehead frowns, and the anxious look
• Naso-labial lines. They can be relaxed, although other methods are needed to eradicate these
• Angle of the mouth. The depressor muscles are more active than the elevator muscles and give a “jowl” or downturned appearance
• The chin. The eventual “cobblestone” appearance can only be treated by these Anti Wrinkle injections

How is the procedure done?

The chemical, diluted into a small syringe, is injected using a very fine needle into the belly of the muscle.

You are asked to bring out your frown, and then the lines may be marked on your skin.

The skin may be numbed with Emla anaesthetic cream, or icepacks. However the pain of the fine injection is very mild and it is better not to affect the lines in any way.

Makeup does not need to be removed, as this may enhance the lines that we wish to soften.

Usually the effect of the injection takes about 4-5 days to become noticeable and becomes most marked by about a week.

What do I do after the treatment?

You can carry on your normal activities, except do not massage the area, or have a facial, for four days. This is to prevent migration of the chemical.

Are there any side effects?

• The toxin works only locally and does not spread to any other part of the body
• No beneficial effects occurring: rarely, caused by patients having antibodies to the toxin
• A “Heaviness” in the forehead: may be noticed because suddenly the muscle has no tone. This may last hours or even up to 2 weeks
• Eyebrow drooping: occasionally, if the toxin spread locally. This may take 2 to 3 weeks to recover. Rarely, the eyelid may droop (ptosis) and recovery may take up to three months
• Oedema (swelling): may occur locally due to decreased muscle movement. Massage is the best way to control this problem.

How many treatments do I need?

This will depend upon your age, and the depth of your lines. If the facial muscle is more overactive, it will be harder to break the habit.

A young person will require only one or two injections, and an older person may require up to 6 of them.

Injections need to be performed initially with a gap of about three months between. However with subsequent injections, this gap can be lengthened.

Please contact us for more information about pharmacology and contraindications.

Anatomy of your neck’s muscles

Please note that this information is for illustrative purposes only. Always ask your Non-surgical aesthetic treatments Specialist first!

This page was last updated on the 16th of July of 2009.

For more than two decades, The Aesthetic Surgery Centre has built a reputation as one of Sydney's best Cosmetic Surgery clinics, employing experienced doctors and surgeons and knowledgeable beauty specialists. From major cosmetic surgery operations to non-surgical treatments, our highly skilled team is always committed on delivering professional advice and personalised guidance. So, if you are looking for operations prices, cost and fees information or before & after cosmetic surgery pictures, contact us… or make an online enquiry today.