Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Wrinkles and facial lines form over time because the skin becomes less elastic and flexible. This is a normal part of the ageing process. However, it is important to think about how lines and wrinkles can make you look more tired, angry or older than you actually are. Lines on your face are frequently linked with negative emotions and can actually have a psychological effect on how you perceive yourself.
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a popular non-surgical procedure used to temporarily relax the muscles of facial expression to soften and reduce unwanted lines. Facial wrinkles are mainly caused by our dynamic facial expressions. By temporarily weakening the muscles responsible for these facial movements it reduces or even removes wrinkles over time as the skin relaxes over the muscle. Used correctly it smooths expressions and lines without a “frozen” appearance.
Botulinum Toxin is a purified protein isolated from the toxin of the bacterium Clostridia Botulinum which blocks signals from the nerve to the muscle. In South Africa it is known under the brand names Botox® and Dysport®.
Administered at very low doses, Botulinum Toxin has the ability to combat the signs of ageing by smoothing over creases in the face.
Common areas treated:
- Frown lines
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Chin dimpling
- Upper lip and peri-oral lines
- Neck bands
- Jaw clenching
‘MiniTox’ is a technique used with very low doses for wrinkle prevention in younger patients, or it can be done on an initial visit to try it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect?
At Aesthetic Options your treatment is performed by a trained medical doctor who will individualise the treatment according to you. Our cosmetic specialist will assess your unique facial musculature and identify the appropriate toxin at the appropriate dosages. Our aim is to create a natural, age-appropriate and refreshed look. The procedure does not take long and there is no down-time.
After your treatment and once you’ve made a full recovery, you can expect to have a smoother, more youthful appearance. You’ll also enjoy a boost in self-confidence and will seem as if you’ve wiped away years of skin ageing.
When will I see results and how long will they last?
You should begin to see an improvement within 5-7 days, and a significant change by the 14th day following treatment.
Results can last from 2-4 months, but this varies from person to person. As the muscles action gradually returns so the wrinkles will reappear. However, after subsequent treatments, wrinkles appear less severe and results can last even longer as the muscles are being trained to relax.
What’s the difference between Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers?
Botulinum Toxin causes paralysis of the muscle, whereas Dermal Fillers are injections which restore volume and fill the skin.
Botulinum Toxin works best for dynamic wrinkles which are caused by facial expressions when we show different emotions. Dermal Fillers are aimed at static wrinkles which are the permanent lines in our face caused by facial expressions over time.
Many doctors use injectable fillers together with wrinkle smoothing injections to achieve a combined effect for even better results, popularly known as a non-surgical or “liquid facelift”.
Does Botulinum Toxin only treat facial wrinkles?
Botulinum Toxin injections are also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), eyelid spasms (blepharospasm), excessive sweating and body odour (hyperhidrosis), an overactive bladder, and in men who wish to have a larger and smoother looking scrotum. Botox injections have also been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic headaches.
