Treatment of Frown Lines Broadway Sydney

Frown lines are deep vertical folds that occur between the eyebrows as a result of frowning or concentration. Much like forehead lines, as we age these frown lines become more prominent as repeated contraction of the muscles eventually causes permanent disruption to the layers of skin that sit above. Treatment of frown lines can be attractive to those who are suffering the negative social effects of their frowning, or who would simply like to reverse the effects of aging. Persistent or deep frown lines often may cause individuals to look angry, stressed, tired, intense or concerned, even when they’re not feeling that way inside. Elimination of frown lines leads to a more rested, approachable and fresh appearance.

Did you realise that people have different patterns of frown lines? They may have an ‘eleven’ (two vertical lines between the eyebrows) or a ‘one’ (single line). As you can see in the images, there are also scrunch, boxed and horizontal patterns.

Treatment of frown lines

Treatment is directed at the cause of these lines and therefore involves relaxing the specific muscles that create them.

Muscle relaxant injections are composed of a natural, purified protein which is derived from bacteria in much the same way that Penicillin is extracted from a mould. Due to Australian law we cannot name this anti-wrinkle injection on our website. Should you wish to know its name please contact us via private email.

How do muscle relaxants work?

Muscle relaxant injections treat wrinkles that are caused by the contraction of facial muscles. They inhibit communication between nerve and muscle with the result that wrinkle-causing muscles relax and so create a smoother, rejuvenated, natural-looking appearance.

What does treatment involve?

A number of tiny injections of muscle relaxant are precisely injected into the glabella muscles that cause frown lines. Treatment is quick and easy and generally very well tolerated with virtually no downtime. Watch a video of a frown lines treatment.

We use the finest needles available and only small volumes are injected. Anaesthetic cream, laughing gas or ice applied to the area prior to treatment are available if required to ensure your comfort.

The effects of anti-wrinkle injections often begin to appear 2-3 days after treatment but may continue to accrue for 1-2 weeks.

Am I suitable for muscle relaxant treatment?

Muscle relaxant injections are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Your full medical history will be reviewed at your initial consultation to exclude other possible contraindications.

What results can I expect?

The goal of treating the frown lines is to give a natural, relaxed, though not necessarily frozen appearance. Though some clients request complete relaxation, many wish to preserve some natural looking movement and expression. The degree of relaxation achieved is easily controlled by limiting the amount of muscle relaxant injected. All our cosmetic injectors assess each client on an individual basis and a treatment plan is developed according to their needs. All clients at Heber Davis are photographed, treated conservatively in the first instance, asked to return 2 weeks post treatment to review and, if necessary, finetune their result.

It is important to note that muscle relaxant injections do not immediately improve ingrained lines, or lines that are present at rest. These can be treated by adding volume with dermal fillers or through skin resurfacing. However, over the course of a number of muscle relaxant treatments skin that is normally creased rests and recovers with the result that ingrained lines gradually soften and fade.

If at any time you decide to cease treatment your muscles simply return to normal. Wrinkling returns to its previous state, and does not become worse.

How often do I need treatment?

Studies have shown that anti-wrinkle injections are more effective and last longer due to progressive weakening of the muscles treated when initially given at regular 4th monthly intervals. It has also been shown that muscle relaxant treatments train muscles (and the individual using those muscles) to become less animated over time, allowing some enduring effect.

Most patients require less frequent and/or smaller doses of muscle relaxant over time because wrinkles soften and become less visible with repeated treatments. Research suggests the more muscle relaxant treatments you have, the longer your result will last and many patients find they eventually only need treatment twice a year.

Can I resume normal activities after treatment?

Normal activities may be resumed after treatment. However, you will be instructed not to exercise, lie down, or touch the treated areas for 4 hours.

Are anti-wrinkle injections safe?

Anti-wrinkle injections have been commonly used for cosmetic purposes for over a decade and for medical purposes for much longer, without any reports of adverse long-term effects. In Australia, there are six registered indications for the use of anti-wrinkle injections. These are: to help reduce spasticity and allow normal movement for children with cerebral palsy, to reduce eyelid and neck muscle spasms, to treat underarm sweating, frown lines and focal spasticity in adults.

What are the side effects of anti-wrinkle injections?

Side effects are minor and temporary and all resolve naturally. As with any injection, there is a risk of temporary redness, swelling or bruising. Makeup may be worn immediately and downtime is usually nil. Other possible adverse outcomes include asymmetrical results, failure to cause a significant change in the wrinkles (usually due to inadequate dosing), and eyelid or eyebrow droop. Eye drops are available that may reverse this effect whilst waiting spontaneous recovery.

Click for recommendations about preparing for your treatment.

Experience counts: During 2011, Heber Davis performed over 2200 muscle relaxant treatments. Temporary weakness of an upper eyelid 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%.