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Anti-wrinkle Injections, Broadway, Sydney

What is an anti-wrinkle injection?

Anti-wrinkle injections are made of a natural, purified protein that is extracted from a bacteria in much the same way that penicillin’s extracted from a fungus. When injected into specific wrinkle-causing facial muscles they relax dynamic wrinkles to create a younger, softer, and natural-looking appearance.

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How do anti-wrinkle injections work?

Anti-wrinkle injections temporarily block the release of chemical messengers that tell muscles to contract. This effect is restricted to the area being treated and stops only targeted muscles from causing wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections work best on wrinkles caused by movement, known as dynamic wrinkles, but are also often be used in conjunction with dermal fillers to help treat wrinkles present at rest, known as static wrinkles.

The history of muscle relaxant anti wrinkle injections.

Muscle relaxant proteins were first researched in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders. This purified protein was first approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat eye muscle disorders (blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, and strabismus, crossed eyes). In 2000, it was approved to treat cervical dystonia (a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions). As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors observed that muscle relaxants softened the frown lines between the eyebrows. That fortunate discovery awakened cosmetic doctors to its potential as an anti-aging treatment.

What are anti-wrinkle injections commonly used for?

Anti-wrinkle injections are most commonly used for treatment of crows feet, frown lines, and forehead lines. They can also be used to create an eyebrow lift, to stop the corners of the mouth from pulling down, to reduce gummy smiles by lowering the upper lip and to reduce neck bands. They reduce muscle bulk to refine and slim jaw lines and are the gold standard for treating underarm sweating.

Prior to their adaptation for cosmetic use, muscle relaxant injections were used for many years to treat conditions such as twitching or spasm of the eyelid, facial spasm, muscle spasticity due to cerebral palsy and eye squints. Their application to additional medical conditions is expanding continually.

What does treatment for wrinkles involve?

You will first consult with an experienced doctor who will review your medial history to confirm your suitability and discuss your concerns. With your permission we will photograph the area/s to be treated and will use these photos to monitor your progress.
An experienced doctor or nurse will perform your treatment, which involves placing tiny injections of muscle relaxant precisely into the muscles causing your wrinkles. Treatment is usually well tolerated and feels like a series of quick stings. Ice, topical anaesthetic cream and/or laughing gas are available if required to minimize discomfort.
Results are not instant but usually begin to appear after about 2-3 days and may take up to two weeks for maximum effect. Results can be as subtle or dramatic as you prefer. Because anti-wrinkle injections target only specific muscles, most facial expressions will not be affected.
Males usually require larger doses than females - sometimes up to double the amount.
For more information about treatment of your particular concern you may be interested to view one of our videos.

Muscle relaxant injections for forehead lines

Muscle relaxants injections for crows feet

Muscle relaxant injections for frown lines

Muscle relaxants slim heavy or square jawline

Muscle relaxants treat "bunny" lines on the nose

Muscle relaxant injections for gummy smiles

How long do results last?

Initial treatments will last 3-5 months on average, but recent research suggests results may persist for up to six months with repeated treatments. As muscle action gradually returns, lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear and will eventually return to their previous state without further treatment. Lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with ongoing treatment the muscles are trained to relax.

Is there any downtime?

Normal activities may be resumed after treatment. Makeup can be reapplied immediately.

Click to learn more about preparing for your treatment.

What are the possible side effects of anti-wrinkle injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections have been used for cosmetic purposes for over a decade and for medical purposes for even longer with no reports of long-term side effects.

As with any injection, there is a small risk of short term stinging, tenderness and bruising.

Temporary headache, nausea and a flu-like syndrome are reported rarely as are heavy brows or drooping eyelid which may last from days to weeks.

Experience counts. During 2011, Heber Davis performed over 2200 muscle relaxant treatments. Temporary weakness of an upper lid is a recognised risk of muscle relaxant treatment of the upper face. The worldwide incidence of this side effect is 3.2%. At Heber Davis the incidence in 2011 was 0.0005%.

Is there anyone who should not be injected with muscle relaxants?

Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a neurological disease should not use muscle relaxant injections.