What are Anti-wrinkle injections?
A wrinkle is a fold or crease in the skin. As we age, the supportive components of our skin such as elastic fibres, collagen fibres, and hyaluronic acid- a substance that maintains the skin texture, get destroyed slowly. As a result, our skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic and starts to sag. Wrinkles begin to develop in areas such as the forehead and around the eyes and lips.
Anti-wrinkle injections consist of Botulinum toxin A and are indicated to smooth forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, and neckbands and potentially prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Frown lines and crow's feet wrinkles may give a person an angry, tired or displeased appearance - even when they are not experiencing those emotions. The anti-wrinkle injections can give you a more relaxed, yet expressive face. Neckbands are visible bands on the neck formed as a result of ageing. The cords or bands that protrude from the neck tend to sag with the ageing process and pull the neck down. Treatment with anti-wrinkle injections can also reduce these neckbands and gives you a more natural look. Anti-wrinkle injections work by relaxing the contracted muscles which cause these wrinkles.
Procedure of Anti-wrinkle injection
It is a simple office procedure. The area to be treated is cleansed thoroughly. An ice pad may be applied to reduce discomfort and the anti-wrinkle agents are injected with a fine needle directly into the muscle beneath the wrinkle. The muscle function becomes weakened, eliminating part or all of its function. The final results will be a softer, more relaxed and pleasing appearance.
Adverse Effects of Anti-wrinkle injections
Redness and bruising at the site of injection may be seen which will resolve in a day or two. You may experience mild headache, double vision, drooping or swollen eyelids, dry eyes, and reduced blinking.
The procedure may take as little as ten minutes. You may return to work immediately. It is a relatively painless procedure, though a mild stinging sensation may be felt.
Precautions to be taken after Anti-wrinkle injection Treatment
To reduce bruising after treatment:
- Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and aspirin 2 weeks before treatment.
- Avoid rubbing the treated area or lying down after your treatment as the injected Botulinum toxin can spread to other areas nearby and paralyze other muscles.
Results of Anti-wrinkle injection Treatment
The outcomes of anti-wrinkle injections usually last from four to six months. If you are dissatisfied with the benefits from a single injection, a second injection can be given after 2 weeks. Once you get a satisfactory result, the next visit is scheduled after about 3 months.
Other uses of Botulinum Toxin A
Botulinum toxin A has been used since the 1970s for the treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), migraines, abnormal twitching of the eyelids (blepharospasm), muscle spasticity after stroke and improving circulation in the fingers which may occur due to some medical conditions.
