Anti-Wrinkle Injections 101: Your Guide to Youth-Enhancing Treatments
We all want more laughter in our lives but could do without the lines that inevitably come with it. Thankfully there are ways to create a natural-looking reduction in lines and wrinkles. Now that is something to smile about!
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections use Botox, Xeomin and Dysport. These medications are neuromodulators. A neuromodulator acts as a muscle relaxant enabling the muscles under wrinkles on the face to soften thereby smoothing the overlying skin. The most common and popular use of these injections are to smooth fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Where can injections be used?
There are numerous places that neuromodulators can be used on the face to create a youthful appearance. The most common areas for treatment are in ‘the 11s’ between the eyebrows, ‘worry lines’ along the forehead, and ‘crows feet’ around the eyes. Another popular treatment is injecting the muscles around the side of the jaw, which helps give the appearance of a slimmer face. Additionally, injections can be used for the lines that sometimes appear around the nose, the ‘bunny lines’, as well as in the fine lines around the mouth – those smile lines. Lastly, for a plumper lip without filler, know as a ‘lip flip’, injections can be used in small doses around the mouth.
What you can expect
Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments available. Their popularity has soared as they are incredibly effective, only require a short treatment and downtime, and can last for several months. A typical procedure is completed within 15 to 30 minutes. During that time, a Naturopathic Doctor will use a very small needle to inject small amounts of the product into the target areas. An ice pack is provided to ease any discomfort. You can expect to see results as early as 3 to 4 days with the full effects within 10 to 14 days. The full effect of the anti-wrinkle injection can last 3 to 4 months.
How many units will I need?
Each treatment is measured in ‘units’. Every individual’s needs will vary based on their goals and desired effect. The number of units can be estimated according to the area of the face that we are treating and how strong those muscles are. Typically, the forehead area consists of 10 to 30 units, the frown area 10 to 25 units and the crow’s feet 5 to 15 units. However, depending on your goals, more or less units may be required. If you are receiving this treatment for the first time lower doses are often recommended. An in-depth conversation with your Naturopathic Doctor will help in determining what is best to achieve your desired results.
Anti-wrinkle injections can dramatically reduce visible signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles, allowing us to look as good as we feel. Book your skin and anti-aging consultation today and see for yourself!
– Dr. Kay Wong, ND
