Antiwrinkle Injections
Looking after your appearance is not a fault. Antiwrinkle injections can help restore the rested, confident appearance you desire.
Many wrinkles are actually creases that have been etched in the skin by making the same expression thousands of times. These are called “expression lines” or dynamic wrinkles.
Typical dynamic lines include frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet around the eyes and forehead wrinkles. The presence of these wrinkles can add years to our appearance, often making us look angry, tired or worried when we are not. Antiwrinkle injections with Botulinum Toxin Type A are a remarkably safe and effective treatment which can help you to control your facial expressions so that you don’t look angry or worried when you are happy.
In the 90’s when the toxin was released, everyone wanted wrinkle-free expressionless faces. The trend for antiwrinkle treatments has changed and currently “less is more” – people want to look better without looking “frozen”. This can be achieved by using lower doses and repeating treatments more frequently.
The most common areas treated with antiwrinkle injections include:
- frown lines
- forehead lines
- crow’s feet
- “smokers” lines
- neck lines
- nose lines
- gummy smiles
In Ireland, antiwrinkle injections can only be offered by either doctors or dentists. Even though these treatments are easy to perform, knowledge of facial anatomy is essential to the success of the treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do antiwrinkle injections work?
This treatment involves a very small amount of a specific purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium being injected with a very fine needle into the small muscles of the face.
Botulinum Toxin Type A stops the transmission of neurotransmitter from the nerve to the muscle and stops the muscle from contracting and forming wrinkles. Approximately three to ten days after treatment, the skin above the injected muscles becomes nice and smooth.
Antiwrinkle injections are great way to reduce wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones. If used early enough, antiwrinkle injections can prevent the formation of these wrinkles all together.
The treatment is relatively painless, so anaesthesia is usually not needed. It is described as a small “pinch”. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by the lack of discomfort. After the treatment you will be able to continue with all of your usual activities.
How long does it last?
The treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A is not permanent. The results last 3-4 months, for the first few treatments, and after that you will likely be able to extend the treatment intervals to 5-6 months as well as potentially reducing the amount of product you require.
Are there any instructions for after antiwrinkle injection treatment?
Exercise the treated muscles during the first hour after your treatment.
Do not touch or rub the treated areas for one hour after the treatment to avoid spreading the toxin into non-targeted muscles. In very rare cases this unwanted relaxation of muscle could cause temporary eyelid drooping or slight asymmetry of facial expression. These rare side effects are temporary, and resolve after a few weeks.
How will I look when the effect of antiwrinkle injections wears off?
Your face will simply return to its previous appearance. If you use antiwrinkle injections for a number of years before you stop, your muscles will have learned to relax on their own and you will end up looking a little better than when you began.
Is the treatment safe?
Botulinum Toxin Type A is an approved prescription drug. Botox, which is one of the trade names of this drug, is actually manufactured in Westport by Allergan.
Botulinum Toxin Type A has been used safely for over 30 years in adults and even in small children to treat many medical conditions where overactive muscles require relaxation such as:
- cervical dystonia
- lazy eye
- muscle contractures
- chronic migraine
- bladder dysfunction
- excessive sweating
Each year hundreds of thousands of patients receive Botulinum Toxin Type A treatment for a variety of medical conditions, and it has become a popular treatment for reversing some of the visible signs of ageing by relaxing the muscles which cause the wrinkles.
When used medically, the doses are much higher and much more frequent than those used in cosmetic treatments. The safety of this product is well established. However, as with any prescription drug, there are potential side effects. These include:
- dry mouth
- discomfort or pain at the injection site
- tiredness
- headache
- neck pain
- eye problems – double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of eyelids, dry eyes
- problems with pronouncing “P” and “B” sounds when treating “smokers” lines
All the above problems are temporary and resolve within a few hours to a few weeks.
Allergic reaction to Botulinum Toxin Type A can also occur. Symptoms may include itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms or feeling faint.
All of these side effects are very rare.
What should I inform my doctor of before I undergo antiwrinkle injection treatment?
Please tell your doctor if you:
- have a disease that effects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome)
- have allergies to any botulinum toxin product
- had any side effect from any botulinum toxin product in the past
- have or have had a breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema
- have or have had swallowing problems
- have or have had bleeding problems
- had surgery on your face
- have weakness of your forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows
- have drooping eyelids
- have plans to become pregnant or you are currently pregnant
- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed
Please inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
Price Guide
Prices for upper third of the face: forehead lines, “crow’s feet” lines, frown lines
1 Area – 190 Euro
2 Areas – 290 Euro
3 Areas – 350 Euro
Additional area – “smoker’s” lines, aging chin, “gummy smile”, “bunny” lines- nose lines
From 80E – 100E