Indications:
The decision to have an anti-wrinkle injection for the treatment of facial wrinkles is a very personal one. Often patients will have contemplated having such a treatment for some time before finding a practice and medical practitioner they feel comfortable with. As with most kinds of cosmetic care, good communication and the experience and judgement of the treating practitioner is paramount to a successful outcome.
Some types of facial wrinkles respond very well to anti-wrinkle injections, especially those in the upper part of the face. However, they can also be used in other areas of the face or body. Anti-wrinkle injections are approved for use in many different circumstances, including in the treatment of limb spasticity in children (where much higher doses of anti-wrinkle medication are used than in an average adult dose for cosmetic use) and involuntary facial spasms, as well as for excessive sweat reduction (hyperhydrosis).
Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions over a long period of time involving muscle contractions such as a smile, laugh or frown. Sometimes we are fully aware of these facial expressions, for others it may be a subconscious expression, or in response to bright sun glare or exposure (eg squinting).
Movement of the brow muscle causes the skin to crease or fold.
Products Used:
Skin Temple uses only approved anti-wrinkle injections. There are currently three types of approved anti-wrinkle injections in Australia. All types have been safely used worldwide for many years. Dr Teska uses several types of anti-wrinkle injections because most people will benefit from swapping their preferred brand once a year…this keeps the results fresh and more natural looking! Not all injectors are comfortable with using all brands, due to differences in strength and dilution of the products. Dr Teska has been using two of the brands for over 20years, so for her it is just like being fluent in 2 completely different languages. The third brand is almost identical to one of the other brands, so doesn’t require any additional conversion of dosage.
All types are extremely effective at removing dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles formed by the repeated contraction of a particular muscle eg frown lines), last well (some clients may find a difference in duration between the two types) and are also used in medical research for the treatment of muscle spasticity and excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis). The product works by temporarily preventing the communication between the nerve ending and the muscle cell. There is constant medical research being done for additional scientific information and other potential medical uses. For many researchers, it is a very exciting area of medical promise as they discover more ways to make use of this very useful protein.
History of Use:
Anti-wrinkle injections have been used around the world for over thirty years, and remain one of the most popular and effective ways of treating facial wrinkles. As with other temporary cosmetic treatments, the patient is able to decide on the frequency of any additional treatment, and if they change their mind about a treatment their muscles (and skin) will soon return to the pre-treatment state. Dr Teska trained in anti-wrinkle injections in 2000, so now has 22years of experience in this area, and is regarded as one of Australia’s best cosmetic doctors.
Method of Use:
Anti-wrinkle products are injected into the target muscle with a very fine needle- the smallest available needle in fact. Most clients find the procedure very easy to tolerate, but the addition of ice or topical local anaesthetic can also assist. It is a very quick procedure, taking only a few minutes to complete. The effect comes on very gradually, with most patients reporting full effect after 10-14 days.
Most clients seek a very natural look, and still want to retain a certain amount of movement. With careful choice of dosage and placement, a subtle amount of expression can be retained when desired, allowing the client to still convey the desired emotion.
Duration of Use:
Anti-wrinkle injections typically last approximately 3-4 months, though this is variable, depending on the area treated, the patient’s skin, the patient’s muscle strength, the dose used and the patient’s age. Some clients do report getting a longer effect from one product versus the other, but that seems to be variable also.
Potential Unwanted Side effects:
Side effects are uncommon but may include temporary pain from injection, temporary redness, temporary swelling, temporary bruising, temporary headache and in rare cases, a temporary eyelid or eyebrow droop can occur. These side effects usually resolve within hours to several weeks, but may also be treatable in some instances. In some cases, the duration of effect can be variable.
Precautions:
Anti-wrinkle injections should not be used during pregnancy, breast-feeding, or in certain rare neurological conditions.
Why Choose Skin Temple for your cosmetic procedure?:
Dr Teska is a very experienced specialist doctor practicing exclusively in the area of Cosmetic Medicine (Cosmetic Physician) and has treated many thousands of patients from all over Australia and internationally. The former Victorian Board member of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine (ASCM) and a founding fellow of both the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine (ACAM), and the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australia (CPCA), Dr Teska is one of Australia’s best and most experienced cosmetic injectors. At Skin Temple Medi Clinic & Spa, all cosmetic injections are done ONLY by Dr Teska, not by unqualified and untrained non-medical employees. Dr Teska injects ALL TYPES of anti-wrinkle medication on a DAILY basis, meaning that our product is ALWAYS FRESH, and that clients can usually obtain a treatment on their preferred day, ALMOST ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!
As with most cosmetic concerns, a full assesment by Dr Teska should be undertaken before proceeding with any treatment. Skin Temple Medi Clinic & Spa offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic and laser procedures, and also has one of Australia’s most beautiful spas, providing complete relaxation, rejuvenation and restoration, both inside and out!
Ethical use of Anti-Wrinkle injections:
Despite continued and increasing media hype regarding the use of anti-wrinkle injections for the prevention of wrinkles, there is very little scientific evidence to support its use in those under the age of 25yrs. We understand that pro-juvenation is now becoming “a thing” in some medical circles, and are happy to offer individual assessment if you feel that your skin would benefit from earlier treatment. All patients must be aged 18years and over to consent to medical treatment though.
How much do Anti-Wrinkle injections cost? Why is one brand so much cheaper than the other, per unit?
The average price for one treatment area is approx $350-450. For small areas of treatment, there is a minimum charge of $200.
Remember also, that if you have a Membership at Skin Temple, you will get a further 10% discount on all products and services, including anti-wrinkle injections for the entire year, making it a fantastic way to get even better value for money!!!
Other options/alternative treatments:
Occasionally some wrinkles are more suitable for dermal filling or lifting, especially if the underlying muscle is needed for normal facial movement eg. Around the mouth, or if a full range of normal expression is desired. The range of dermal fillers on the market today is quite extensive, and for most clients over the age of 40yrs, some degree of volume loss will require correction if a natural outcome is desired. Anti-wrinkle injections cannot achieve the same degree of lifting as a facelift or surgical browlift with blepharoplasty. In some patients, realistic expectations must be considered at the outset of any proposed treatment to prevent disappointment. In some patients, a longer lasting brow lift effect can be achieved with the Ultherapy procedure, and for many older patients best results can only be achieved with a combination of skin tightening, muscle relaxation and perhaps revolumising the skin. As each face is unique, the best way to assess your options is to attend for an initial consultation.