Wrinkle Relaxers
* The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Regulations do not allow any form of promotion or advertising of prescription medication trading names or their active substances. We aim to provide the following information in accordance with their regulations. For further information please contact our office or visit our online forum for discussions on this topic.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
While many people think wrinkle relaxer injections are an exciting new treatment just for wrinkles, the active substance has actually been used for several years to treat certain medical conditions. In fact, its use as a cosmetic treatment was only discovered when people using it to treat facial muscle spasms noticed an improvement in their wrinkles.
What is the active substance in wrinkle relaxer injections?
The active substance is a purified form of a chemical toxin that is produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Although this is the same toxin that causes ‘botulism’ — a type of infection that can result in life-threatening muscle paralysis — wrinkle relaxer injections are safe because the active substance is injected directly into specific sites in very small quantities.
How does it work?
Wrinkle relaxers work by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) known as acetylcholine from nerve cells. Acetylcholine normally transmits nerve impulses to muscle cells. Without acetylcholine, the affected nerve is unable to send a signal to the muscle it supplies, resulting in a temporarily weakened or paralysed muscle. The effect is restricted to the area being treated, and is only temporary because the nerve fibres usually regenerate after a couple of months.
How does it treat wrinkles?
Some of the muscles in the face that create facial expressions pull on your skin and cause a fold when they contract, over time this leads to lines and wrinkles. Wrinkle relaxers work by weakening or immobilising these muscles which prevent the wrinkle from forming. So, about 2 to 7 days after being injected, the lines and wrinkles start to disappear. As the treatment targets specific, individual muscles, the ability to form other facial expressions should not be affected. Wrinkle relaxers have been used to reduce the prominence of vertical and horizontal frown lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes.
What else are they used for?
These injections are also used to treat medical conditions such as:
- blepharospasm (twitching or spasm of the eyelid)
- cervical dystonia
- spasmodic torticollis(a type of muscle spasm in the neck)
- facial or other localised muscle spasms
- muscle spasticity due to cerebral palsy
- strabismus(a condition where the eyes are not properly aligned)
- excessive localised sweating (hyperhidrosis)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (the Australian drug regulatory agency) first approved the active substance for medical use in 1999 and has been approved for cosmetic use (specifically, the treatment of vertical frown lines) since 2002. There is interest and ongoing research into its use for treating migraine headaches, but has not yet been approved.
How long does the effect last?
The improvement in the appearance of your wrinkles usually lasts approximately 3 to 4 months, and repeated injections are required to maintain the effect. With continued use, the effects may start to last longer.
Are wrinkle relaxer injections safe?
Wrinkle relaxers are relatively safe and highly effective when administered by a medical professional who is specifically trained. As with all treatments, there are some associated side effects, but most of these are mild and temporary. Pain, tenderness and bruising may occur from the actual injection, and some people have reported a slight headache after treatment. There is only a small risk of significant side effects. The most common being a drooping eyelid, which usually only lasts a few days, but can last longer. This was reported in only 3.2 per cent of people in one study.
It's important to remember that that all medical procedures carry risks as well as benefits, and you need to discuss these with your doctor.
Where can I get wrinkle relaxer injections?
We provide free consultations to discuss your individual requirements and ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. An appointment is then made for you to see our specialist medical practitioner who will assess your specific requirements and administer the correct injection techniques accordingly.
Be wary of 'Injection Parties'
It is generally considered that these are unprofessional and not in the best interest of the patients. Treatments should be administered in a proper clinical setting where individual consultations and assessment can take place.
Call our office on 9300 0663 to make an appointment for your free consultation