McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Understanding the Benefits of Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Published by Dr Darren McKeown
Date posted — 21.10.24
If you are researching your options for aesthetic treatments, then you’ve probably come across the term ‘anti-wrinkle injections’. But what does that even mean? What are ‘anti-wrinkle injections’? How does it compare with other aesthetic treatments you’ve been reading about?
In this article, I’m going to demystify anti-wrinkle injections. We’ll delve into the science behind the treatment, explain the procedure, and discuss potential benefits and risks.
Demystifying Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Anti-wrinkle injections could technically refer to a whole range of different types of treatment. In most day-to-day contexts, however, it refers to injecting a muscle relaxant into muscles that are responsible for causing certain wrinkles, causing the muscle to relax and, therefore, reducing the appearance of the overlying wrinkles.
The primary component in most anti-wrinkle injections is botulinum toxin. This neurotoxic protein temporarily relaxes muscles, smoothing out wrinkles and giving the skin a more youthful appearance.
What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections used to treat?
Anti-wrinkle injections are normally used to treat dynamic wrinkles – the wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements. The injections are normally very effective at reducing the wrinkles caused by movement but less effective – at least initially – for static wrinkles (those that are present when the face is at rest).
Botulinum toxin is licensed for cosmetic use in treating frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. The injections are commonly used for ‘off-label’ purposes on other areas of the face and neck. Whilst using the drug ‘off label’ on other parts of the face may be common, it is typically less effective than when used to treat the official indications and may be associated with additional side effects.
The Science Behind the Treatment
Botulinum toxin, the active ingredient, is a neurotoxic protein. It works in a specific location in the nerve endings – stopping the nerve endings from releasing the molecule it normally produces to ‘talk’ to the muscle cells, telling them to contract. Because this communication between the nerve and muscle is blocked, it means the muscle will relax, causing the overlying skin to smooth out.
The effects of the toxin are localized. This means they only affect the specific muscles where the toxin was injected. The rest of the body is not affected.
The Procedure Explained
The process is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes.
The injection is administered using a very fine needle. In our practice, we use a needle that is even finer than the one diabetics use every day. The finest needles cost a little more, but we think it’s worth the investment for our patient’s maximum comfort!
What to Expect During the Consultation
The consultation is a crucial part of the treatment process. It is an opportunity for the practitioner to assess your skin and discuss your aesthetic goals. It is also important for your doctor to review your medication history, any medications you take, any allergies, as well as your history of aesthetic procedures – what has worked well for you in the past and what hasn’t. By undertaking a thorough and comprehensive assessment, we can maximise the chances of a positive outcome.
Post-Treatment: Recovery and Care
After the treatment, it is quite normal to see some immediate redness and swelling at the injection site. This normally resolves within a few minutes – typically by the time you get back to the car. It is much less common to develop any bruising. If this happens, it can usually be camouflaged with some make-up and will go away like any normal bruise.
It is quite common to develop a headache following treatment – this can affect up to 1 in 10 patients. If you develop a headache, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol (or Tylenol if you are in the US).
Much less commonly, you can develop drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow. This usually affects around 1 in 3000 patients. If it happens, there is usually not much you can do other than wait for it to wear off. This typically happens within 2-6 weeks, although it can persist for the full duration of the treatment.
Before and After: Visualizing the Results
Visualizing potential outcomes can be helpful when considering anti-wrinkle injections. Before and after photos can provide a realistic depiction of what to expect from the treatment. Here are some examples of what it may be possible to achieve.
Check out our gallery to see before and after photos of patients who have undergone anti-wrinkle injections.
Aesthetic Improvements and Psychological Well-being
The way we look can have a direct impact on both how we feel and how well we function socially. The aesthetic improvements from anti-wrinkle injections can significantly boost a patient’s self-confidence, making them feel more comfortable in social circumstances. This is something we have studied in our clinic, and we have published our data in the peer-reviewed literature.
Selecting the Right Practitioner
Choosing the right practitioner is a critical step in ensuring a safe and successful treatment. You should always choose a doctor who has an advanced understanding of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to allow them to tailor the procedure to your specific needs rather than follow a ‘painting by numbers’ approach.
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