Q&A

Anti-Wrinkle Injections

We offer an extensive range of anti-wrinkle injections for the face, neck, and body. We use the original anti-wrinkle injection manufactured by ALLERGAN. Our Doctors perform anti-wrinkle injections on a daily basis and have mastered the art of a fine balance between the amount needed to achieve a natural look and negate side effects. Each and every dose is documented on an electronic patient record which is then calculated to reach an optimum dose at every single visit.

Why do we get wrinkles?

We don’t see wrinkles early in our age as the skin does a great job of stretching and holding in water content and collagen. But over time, the dermis (deeper part of the skin) loses both collagen and elastin (elastic fibers of the skin), hence the skin gets thinner. The fat just below the skin that gives plumpness to the skin also starts disappearing leaving the layer above the skin to sag and form wrinkles.

Are there different types of wrinkles?

There are two types of wrinkles –

Dynamic Wrinkles: Dynamic wrinkles are the ones that are visible only on movement, for eg: lifting the forehead, frowning, or smiling. These wrinkles appear as the muscles contract pulling the skin inwards.

Static Wrinkles: Static Wrinkles are visible even when there is no expression. These wrinkles are scars over the skin due to constant pulling by the muscle under the skin.

Why do i get wrinkles? 

All of us will have wrinkles at some point in our life as it is a natural process of aging. Some start early and some later. This is due to various reasons including race, genes, and sun exposure.

How can i prevent them from getting worse?

Avoid spending too much time in the sun, especially between 10 am to 4 pm as the UV rays are very strong. Use sun cream when going out in the Sun. Avoid tanning salons and other UV light exposure to the skin. Keep yourself well hydrated and if you smoke, try to cut down on smoking. Use a good moisturizer to rehydrate the skin.

What are anti-wrinkle injections – commonly known as botox™

Anti-wrinkle injections are given to make wrinkles less visible.

Both dynamic and static wrinkles can be treated by these injections. They are excellent in treating dynamic wrinkles over a period of time due to the relaxing effect on the muscles, the static wrinkles become less obvious. If you are seeking, immediate treatment of static wrinkles, filling the lines with a hyaluronic acid filler is better.

How do they work?

Anti-wrinkle injections work by stopping the muscle from any movement. For example, when you raise your eyebrows the muscles are not working to full strength so your eyebrows will rise slightly but no wrinkles are seen. The injections work at the nerve level within the muscle to block the nerves from stimulating the muscles. It does not spread and has no effect on your other muscles.

When do i see the results?

The injections start working 3-5 days after treatment. In some, it may take up to 14 days. Hence, we always offer the top-up appointment after 10-14 days.

How long do the injections last?

The injections last for 3-4 months. After a few months, your body starts digesting the medications given. The return of the wrinkles is more gradual rather than abrupt and it is better to keep on top of the wrinkles to achieve a good aesthetic result.

How long will the treatment take?

The treatment lasts less than 5 mins. The area of injection is cleaned and the medication is injected with a very fine needle. Most clients tolerate the treatment very well. Of course, if you are worried or scared of needles we can offer you a numbing cream.

When will i see the benefit?

The anti-wrinkle injections start working in 3-5 days. Its full effect might take place up to 3 weeks and we normally advise a top-up review between 2-3 weeks.

Will i always need a top-up?

In our clinic top-ups are free. Though some clinics charge based on the units given, we treat to achieve the result irrespective of the units needed. Most clients don’t need topping up. Injecting anti-wrinkling injections is a fine art and a delicate balance between too much and too little. Over a period of few visits we establish the doses that work best for you to prevent top-ups.

Where are the areas you can give anti-wrinkle injections?

Frown Lines

Most commonly known as Glabella lines, frown lines develop in-between the eyes. These lines appear to reduce the distance between the eyebrows and give the individual a ‘crossed’ appearance. If you a habit of frowning while concentrating or have a profession that needs deep concentration, frown lines are common. These lines are often deep vertical grooves that can be successfully treated with anti-wrinkle injections.

Forehead wrinkles

Wrinkles on the forehead run in horizontal lines and occur through general expressions over time. Forehead wrinkles generally age the face and can be easily treated with anti-wrinkle injections.

Laughter lines

Wrinkles around the eyes especially around the eyes can be very effectively treated with Botox. These also provide an elevation of the lateral part of the eyebrow leading to a wider eye look.

Lip lines 

Wrinkles around the mouth (perioral lines/smoker’s lines) and fine wrinkles under the eye can be treated with very small doses. These areas have to be treated cautiously as it is the most functional part of our face and too much Botox® in these areas can cause difficulty swallowing, speaking, or sipping. Often, these areas will need treatment over time rather than large doses at once.

Jaw Thinning injections

Anti-wrinkle injections to the jaw muscles can be performed to decrease the prominence of the jaw. Anti-wrinkle injections thin the muscle and reduce its prominence. Thinning the jaw muscle enhances the jawline and increases the angulation of the angle of the jaw. We typically use 20 units of anti-wrinkle injections on either side of the jaw to give you the maximum effect. Often patients need few doses before noticing a significant difference. Giving too much in this area at once can weaken the jaws, making it difficult to chew food. It is also used to treat jaw-grinding at night.

Neck Band injections

As a part of the aging process, the skin around the neck wrinkles and loses collagen and elasticity. This makes the neck muscles more prominent creating falls in the neck. The falls are created by the neck muscle called ‘platysma’ that becomes obvious due to skin thinning. This muscle extends from the angle of the jaw to the collar bone. Due to the strength of this muscle as we get older our jawline merges with the neck creating a ‘jeck’. Treatment of this muscle with botox helps to reduce the necklines and also defines the jaw.

Calf Botox

Anti–wrinkle injections in the calves thin the muscles and reduces the muscle mass of the calves. This enhances the appearance giving a slender look rather than a stout and bulky look. Women who are very active and have strong calf muscles can have botox to the calves to thin these muscles.

Nefertiti Lift

The skin in the neck undergoes changes like other areas of the face. Skin thinning increased laxity, and loss of elasticity in the skin, coupled with volume depletion and gravity all exacerbate the aging effect in the neck. The platysma muscle complex constantly pulls downward, leading to the development of jowls and multiple neck bands. This can be reduced by careful injection of BoNTA to the jowl area and the platysmal bands. This leads to a more defined jawline and a smoother neck.

Nefertiti lift is named after the Egyptian Queen showing a distinctive jawline and a slender neck.

Are there any side effects?

It is typical to see redness and swelling immediately at the site of the BoNTa injection and it is nothing to be concerned about. This settles in 5-10 mins. Slight bruising is also possible but hardly ever experienced by our clients here at the clinic. These minor side effects disappear within a day or two. Occasionally, the treatment may relax nearby muscle groups causing temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelids, this is however quite rare. If this happens the doctor will reassess and advise on the best possible solution. The life of BoNTa varies between 8-12 weeks. Hence all these side effects if they ever occur are only temporary.  Some people experience positive side effects such as the alleviation of tension headaches and migraines.