Wrinkle Relaxers
Our facial muscles allows us to express emotions such as feelings of anger, sadness or happiness. With repetitive use of these muscles, lines and wrinkles begin to appear. Often patients will seek our help, as these lines begin to become more obvious over time and may make them look angry or worried, even when they are not. Wrinkle relaxers (also known as muscle relaxants and anti-wrinkle injections) provide an effective solution – they can minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without looking frozen or ‘done’.
Wrinkle relaxers are very effective and have been used in both medical and cosmetic applications since 2002. They are one of the most well studied and researched medications of all time. The doses used in cosmetic applications are significantly less than the dosages used for medical reasons such as muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
Wrinkle relaxers or anti-wrinkle injections are made of a protein which is naturally found in nature. They work by temporarily blocking the communication between nerve endings and targeted muscles – therefore, minimise the movement of these muscles and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
In aesthetics, wrinkle relaxers or anti-wrinkle injections are most commonly used to treat the frown, forehead, crow’s feet lines and to achieve a natural looking brow lift. They can also be used to treat downturned mouth, over-active chin, masseter reduction or jaw slimming, tension headaches and excessive sweating (known as hyperhidrosis).
Before the Treatment
Prior to wrinkle relaxer or anti-wrinkle injection treatment at COCO Skin Clinic you will receive a face-to-face consultation with Dr Jane Lucas to determine if this is the right treatment for you. During this time, you will be able to ask questions and have any concerns addressed. Your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to ensure that all make-up and residue is removed prior to treatment. It will be disinfected using medicated solution.
During the Treatment
Wrinkle relaxers or anti-wrinkle injections is a treatment with minimal discomfort and nil/minimal downtime. The treatment is quick and only takes a few minutes. Wrinkle relaxer treatment does not require a topical anaesthetic, as we use the smallest needles possible and use ice for your comfort. However, if you are particularly worried about needles, we can apply numbing cream prior to your treatment.
After the Treatment
Once the treatment has been completed, you can return to your normal duties or return to work immediately. You may notice a few tiny red injection site marks. These generally reduce within 15 mins. We will discuss your aftercare with you and give you written aftercare instructions. We advise to avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day, avoid lying flat for 4 hours, avoid rubbing or massaging the area.
The Results
- Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
- We can tailor the treatment to suit your wishes – i.e. natural appearance with some movement or minimal muscle movement only.
- You may begin to notice improvements in lines and wrinkles as early as within a few days. However, it can take up to 2-3 weeks for full effect.
- We routinely offer a follow-up 2 weeks post treatment to review and make any adjustments, if required.
Longevity of Results
The results are seen even after your 1st treatment with wrinkle relaxers or anti-wrinkle injections. The effect generally lasts between 3-5 months. With repetitive treatments, often the longevity of treatment increases. After 1-2 years of committed treatment program (3 monthly treatments), many patients find that they only require their maintenance treatment 2-3 times per year. This treatment program is only a guide, Dr Jane Lucas will recommend the treatment plan that is right for you.
For Added Benefit
Add Healite II LED Skin Rejuvenation – adding Healite II LED Skin Rejuvenation to your wrinkle relaxer or anti-wrinkle treatment to help reduce any associated swelling/bruising and promote skin rejuvenation.
Add Dermal Filler Treatment – wrinkle relaxers or anti-wrinkle injections can be combined with premium dermal fillers for a natural looking full-face rejuvenation.
See here for our popular COCO Packages which combine wrinkle relaxer and dermal filler treatments.
