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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How effective are anti-wrinkle injections?

    Related Topic
    And how often will I need to get the injections to minimize the appearance of my wrinkles? (most are around my eyes and from smoking)
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • 2

    Thanks

    Dr Jillian Tomlinson

    Hand Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon

    Dr Jill Tomlinson is a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon. After graduating dux in her year at University High School, Jill completed medical … View Profile

    Anti-wrinkle injections are very effective if used in the right situation.

    Wrinkles can be either “static” or “dynamic”. Static wrinkles are present all the time, even when you're not frowning or smiling. Dynamic wrinkles appear when you move your facial muscles to frown, smile or show some other facial expression.

    Dynamic wrinkles can be effectively softened or eliminated through injections of botulinum toxin. The dose can be tailored so that your wrinkles are softened, rather than eliminated (unless you are after a frozen face!). Usually these injections need to be repeated every 3-6 months.

    Static wrinkles are not as effectively treated with botulinum toxin, although there is usually some improvement and it can prevent worsening of the static wrinkle. Dermal fillers can be used to “fill out” the trough of static wrinkles so that you get a completely effective result. Often these injections last 12 months or more.

    There are other things that you can do to try to reduce your wrinkles. If you are still smoking I strongly recommend that you try to stop. Your GP and the Quit website have some great resources to help. Avoid the sun where possible and wear sunblock on your face daily. Treatments like skin needling and laser can also produce improvements in your skin texture and reduce wrinkling - although importantly not all therapies produce the same results so do your research before spending your hard earned cash!

    I hope this helps!
    Good luck, JT.

  • Mr Stephen Salerno

    Plastic Surgeon

    Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery Hand Surgery Skin cancer and melanoma surgery Breast Surgery View Profile

    Anti wrinkle injections such as Bo-tox and dermal fillers are quite effective and they work almost inmmediately and have minimal down time.  All pros for them, however they are only temporary and need to be continually topped up to achieve the continued or desired look.

    Regards
    Stephen Salerno

  • 1

    Thanks

    Dr John Mahony

    Cosmetic Physician

    Dr John Mahony studied Medicine at Sydney University 1980-1984 graduating early 1985. Internship and residency years followed in the Illawarra, covering general medical and surgical … View Profile

    Anti-wrinkle injections using botulinum toxin have been in use since the Carruthers' publication on them in 1992, and the company that makes Botox, “Allergan”, produce 250 vials of this stuff *every minute*, so there is little doubt that the people have spoken - it works!

    However, the effectivenes this treatment would produce in your own case depends exactly on the nature of your wrinkles, your age, your skin quality, your general health, and importantly your expectations.

    Botulinum toxin is a tool: like any other, it is highly effective when used in the right situation and is useless in the wrong situation. Nothing wrong with screwdrivers, but you can't hammer a nail with them.

    If you want to improve wrinkles around your eyes, Botox is generally a first-line approach, and will almost undoubtedly soften and improve those wrinkles substantially. Beware, though, that if you push to use Botox to *eliminate* your wrinkles it is likely you would get a dose that would *also* look unnatural: better is better, but too much looks weird.

    Needless to say, stop smoking!

    Treatments ae generally done every three months. To get more duration that this generally requires a *lot* higher dose, which means you would be too frozen most of the time. Smaller doses more often is better than bigger doses less often - you will look more natural and you will spend less money.

    Hope this helps

  • 1

    Thanks

    Dr Christina Tan

    Medical Practitioner

    Look Your Best Without Surgery. Melbourne Cosmetic Medicine is a dedicated cosmetic medical clinic, specialising in non-surgical cosmetic enhancement using the most popular Anti-Wrinkle Injections, … View Profile

    Anti-Wrinkle Injections are very effective in softening the dynamic wrinkles in the upper face such as frown lines between the brows, forehead lines and crows feet around the eyes.

    There is no downtime for the treatment and you can return to work straight away. Make-up can be applied immediately if desired.

    You will start to notice a softening of the dynamic wrinkles in the next few days, with best results 2-4 weeks later. The results start to gradually taper off after that and most people will need a repeat treatment 3-4 months later.

    With repeated treatments over time, the underlying muscles weaken and the dynamic wrinkles are softer, allowing the treatment intervals to lengthen to 6 months in some people.

    The static fine wrinkles under the eyes in the tear trough areas usually respond better to dermal filler injections which restores the volume loss and plumps up the area.

    To maximise your investment and results, stopping smoking is strongly encouraged. Daily sunscreen and staying out of the sun is mandatory. Using good medical grade skincare also improves the skin quality around this delicate area.

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