Hi guys!
Here is a post outlining the very basics of an anti-wrinkle treatment. I will create a video for you soon, if you're anything like me, I find watching things more beneficial than just reading.
I hope you enjoy!
So when someone says anti-wrinkle, what is it they are talking about?
Anti-wrinkle injections are a type of botulinum toxin, which is a naturally occurring protein extract.
How does it work?
In super simple terms. Nerve endings send chemical signals to muscles in our body to tell them to contract. When the anti-wrinkle is injected into the muscle this chemical signal is blocked.
Okay….so what does that mean exactly?
It means that the muscles that have been injected can no longer move as well as they used to, this in turn means that the skin covering those muscles can also not move as well as it once did. If this skin is not moving then wrinkles are either not being made (this is why everyone always says that anti-wrinkle treatment is a preventative), or are not being made worse.
One of my colleagues describes the mechanism of neurotoxins perfectly when he says, the phones ringing but no one on the other end is picking up! Ie- the signal can no longer get through and communication is temporarily blocked.
Basically it all just means cya bye wrinkles!
But will I look scary and different?
No…. well, as long as you're in the right hands!
Treatments can be customised to suit each and every individual. Often patients are scared of these treatments and I think this was attributed to the time when people were frolicking around looking a little, for lack of a better word, ‘tight'?
I think this phase has thankfully passed and people are opting for a more natural look (‘natural look' is subjective- please remember this!). In general, I personally feel that people are no longer wanting to remove every single line formed from their facial expressions, instead they are happy to soften them in turn looking a little more refreshed and less tired.
I think patients are savvier and more educated than what they once were, so they know that removing all form of movement is not going to do them any favours, they know that the overall goal is to weaken the muscle and that complete muscle immobilisation is not desired.
It is important to remember that every individual is different and what may work for one person may not work for another. It is not a one size fits all treatment. It is essential to work one on one with patients to create a treatment plan that is individualised, realistic and suitable for their specific needs.
As a learning and training injector, I verge on the side of caution and believe that it is better to start with a conservative dose and then tweak further if need be. That way we can get things perfect, like fine-tuning where the eyebrows sit or where we want the brows to lift to open up the eyes. This helps to ensure that the patient receives the most aesthetically pleasing results.
Does it hurt?
Personally, I find the process slightly uncomfortable but not painful. It is like tiny little pricks that are over and done with very quickly.
What can I expect at my initial appointment if I have never had this treatment before?
If you are a new patient, you will first need to have an initial and in-depth consultation. During this time your injector will need to do all your medical checks and ensure that you are fit to have treatment.
A full facial assessment will be carried out and together you will work out what the best treatment is for you. Anti-wrinkle is an S4 drug, this means that it must be prescribed by a doctor. Once you and your injector have agreed on your individual treatment plan a doctor will need to double check everything and sign off a script allowing your injector to perform the treatment. This ensures safety for the patient. Some places will have doctors on site to pop in to see the patient and other places will use Skype to contact a doctor to ensure this protocol is adhered to. I think this process may change in the near future, and all places will require a doctor to be on site when a nurse is injecting.
From here your dose is made up. The actual injecting is very quick, it is over in less than a couple of minutes.
**Scripts are valid for 1 year, which means that as long as nothing significant has changed within your medical circumstances, that the following appointments are much quicker.
What is the most popular area that people have treated?
From my experience I believe the 3 top areas of treatment are;
- Glabella (frown between the brows)
- Forehead
- Crows feet
What areas do I personally treat?
Being in this industry means I have tried and tested a few different areas! As a general rule, I do my glabella, forehead and crow's feet every 3-5 months. I will occasionally treat my bunny lines (these are the little lines that appear when you scrunch your nose, usually visible when smiling and laughing) as I find when I treat my main 3 areas that my bunny lines sometimes become more prominent, or it is simply that I notice them more. I also find that my glabella does not need treatment as often as my forehead.
I have also in the past treated my chin to reduce the movement slightly. However, I don't find this lasts long enough, therefore, it is an area that requires more frequent dosage for me, and I often skip the maintenance on it. Although, now I can inject myself, I may find I do it more regularly and maintain it better- ha! I have also in the past treated my masseters (treating this area can help with teeth grinding and also help to slim the face), but I personally didn't love the result on me, I will explain why in another post.
How much is it?
It is difficult to quote without seeing the patient but from what I have observed, a patient will usually spend between $300-$700 for an anti-wrinkle treatment 2-3 times per year.
How long does it take to see the results?
Results usually start within a few days but it takes 2 weeks for the anti-wrinkle to take full effect.
And that's it for a very brief introduction to this treatment.
I hope it helped give you a little insight in to this treatment. It is simply a beginner’s guide, so further posts with more information will be coming your way soon!
Please reach out and let me know if you would like some further information or would like to book a consultation and or treatment with me.
I hope you all have a fabulous long weekend!
Love always,
C x
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