Cosmetic Injections

The treatment of fine lines and wrinkles with cosmetic injections – What’s it all about and is it safe?

Cosmetic injections treat lines and wrinkles in the upper part of the face with great success. As a result, they aim to combat both fine lines and also deep wrinkles.

Cosmetic injections and treatments to prevent and improve fine lines and wrinkles have been provided since the 1980’s, changing the cosmetic industry due to their remarkable results combined with very few risks and no recovery time.

Wrinkle relaxing injections have treated millions of patients worldwide and is the world’s most popular Non-Surgical treatment. The treatment relaxes the muscles that actually cause the wrinkles to appear.

Many people describe these treatments as “BOTOX” treatment, however, this is actually an incorrect definition. BOTOX® is actually a trade name for a prescription-only medicine which is Botulinum toxin type A.

Botulinum toxin type A

BOTOX® is a prescription-only medicine (POM). It is illegal to advertise the drug to the public, either directly, as a product for sale or indirectly. Botulinum toxin (aka BOTOX®), is a natural, purified protein which is a very popular treatment that relaxes the facial muscles causing lines and wrinkles over time. It was originally used to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating and facial muscle problems. It is the safest product to use, and it is certified in the medical and cosmetic field.

BOTOX® is indicated for uses in the following fields in the UK:

Neurologic disorders
Bladder disorders
Skin and skin appendage disorder including temporary improvement in the appearance of the following facial lines, when the severity of these lines has an important psychological impact in adult patients
– Lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown (glabellar lines)
– Lateral canthal lines (crow’s feet lines) seen at maximum smile
– Crow’s feet lines seen at a maximum smile and glabellar lines seen at maximum frown when treated simultaneously.

The only cosmetic use for which BOTOX® has a licence is the ‘glabellar’ lines, which are the vertical lines on the forehead between the eyes.

What results does the treatment with cosmetic injections aim to provide?

We use our facial muscles repeatedly throughout our lifetime with the overlying skin becoming creased in the areas of greatest use. The ageing process causes a slowdown of collagen and elastin production within the skin and its healing potential. As we get older these areas of overuse become damaged, and the lines become permanent. These lines can have a detrimental impact on a patient’s psychological health.

Botulinum toxin is a purified, extracted neuromodulator that acts on nerve endings terminating within the injected muscle. Thus preventing the targeted muscle’s contraction and softening lines in the skin overlying it, or they may even fade away.

Cosmetic injections and injectable wrinkle treatments are a non-invasive affordable treatment, suitable for anyone who has facial lines and wrinkles. The cosmetic injections soften the lines caused by facial expressions as we get older such as laughter lines and crow’s feet. It’s concentration is adjusted to ensure natural results. Patients can come and visit our qualified clinicians and point out a specific line that they don’t like. We will look beyond the line at how the face looks as a whole (as treating an individual line might make the face look unnatural).

Who can administer cosmetic skin injections

Take time to find a reputable practitioner who is properly qualified and practices in a clean, safe and appropriate environment. Ask the practitioner what you should do if something were to go wrong. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine that should only be prescribed and given by an appropriately trained healthcare professional, such as a doctor, dentist, pharmacist prescriber, or nurse prescriber.

The concept of ‘Botox parties’ or ‘filler parties’ is wholly incompatible with the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) Professional Standards for Cosmetic Practice. The college states that treatments should be carried out in licensed premises where practitioners have access to professional equipment for use in the event of an emergency.

What’s the procedure?

Receiving treatment for fine lines and wrinkles takes only a few minutes and doesn’t require anaesthesia. The procedure involves cosmetic injections with a very fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It generally takes around 7 to 14 days to take full effect.

What about risks and side effects?

Most medical treatments have risks. It is important that an appropriately qualified and experienced practitioner provides these treatments for you. Injections with botulinum toxin few side effects and are therefore well tolerated. In rare cases, an individual may have a genetic predisposition that results in a mild, transient unusual response to the drug.

Around 1% of people receiving injections of botulinum toxin type A develop antibodies to the toxin that make subsequent treatments ineffective.

Along with its intended effects, botulinum toxin may cause some unwanted effects if inappropriately administered. When correctly used, there are no long-term side effects of having wrinkle injections which means that patients can resume their usual activities straight away.

How Long Does a Botox Cosmetic Injection Last?

The effects from Botox will last three to six months which is dependent on each person as everyone is different. As your muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear. In order to ensure wrinkles stay at bay, re-treatment is common. However, the lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking from each treatment.

Who should avoid this treatment?

This treatment is suitable for a wide variety of patients, although we advise against this treatment if you have medical conditions such as damaged nerves or muscle complaints. You should disclose this information during the consultation, to avoid any complications.

Treatment is not advisable for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. While there are no clinical studies to show that the cosmetic injections are harmful to the baby or mother, medical professionals advise against having treatment under these circumstances.

Cosmetic Injections Myths & Facts

Cosmetic Injections Myth and Fact 1

MYTH:

The best time for anti-wrinkle treatments is when the lines appear

FACT:

If you can get ahead of the game, it may help you in the long run. Waiting until lines become etched into the skin means it’s much more difficult to smooth their appearance again. These treatments reduce lines and wrinkles resulting from muscle movements like scowling, squinting, and raising eyebrows. Often by starting preventatively, people and their muscles can actually learn to not make certain faces and expressions and contribute to worsening their lines. By not making certain expressions in the future, or making them less often, you may actually need fewer treatments.

Cosmetic Injections Myth and Fact 2

MYTH:

If you stop getting regular treatments, it will make your wrinkles worse

FACT:

No, They’ll just go back to the way they were before. If you decide to stop having treatments, you will slowly lose the relaxing effect of the treatments and will resume the normal development of wrinkles with movement. Your fine lines and wrinkles will not get worse. Treatment results are not permanent and last typically last four months. For those who get injected at regular intervals over time, however, the results can sometimes last a little bit longer. This is since the muscles have been immobilised for a long period resulting in muscle atrophy.

Cosmetic Injections Myth and Fact 3

MYTH:

Muscle relaxant treatment is just for wrinkles

FACT:

Not at all, the injections treat migraines by reducing muscle tension and creating less strain on the nervous system. Injections can also temporarily block sweat glands to stop excessive sweating.

Cosmetic Injections Myth and Fact 4

MYTH:

Botox is something only women get

FACT:

Jokingly referred to as “Bro-tox” more and more men are getting cosmetic skin treatments. Wrinkles can sometimes make men appear angry, not to mention older. Cosmetic skin injections can help soften up this look to just give a more approachable appearance, which can help men a great deal in business matters.

Can we help?

If you feel that Rock House Dental Practice can help you achieve the results you are searching for then give us a call on 01902 751618 or email info@rockdental.co.uk and book an initial assessment appointment with Dr Karan Jolly.
Dr Jolly has been proving cosmetic skin treatments for many years with outstanding results.

The average price of treatment: = £150 to £350