Wrinkle relaxing injections: All you need to know

Wrinkle relaxing injections are a safe and popular aesthetic treatment that can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Read on to find out more and make an informed decision about whether this is the right treatment for you.

What are wrinkle relaxing injections?

Wrinkle relaxing injections are an aesthetic treatment mainly used on the upper face. As the name suggests, they can relax wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Your aesthetic practitioner will use a tiny, fine needle to inject a small amount of a substance into your face. A common brand name for this substance is Botox. But other brands are available.

The substance blocks the signals between your nerves and your muscles. Because the signal is blocked, your muscles can’t contract. They become relaxed. This helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines on your face in this area.

Wrinkles and lines are caused by repetitive contraction of muscles in your face over time. So relaxing muscles in the area affected reduces their appearance.

The treatment also slows the progression of wrinkles and lines. While the injected substance is active, the wrinkles in the treated area do not get any worse as the muscles stay relaxed.

Benefits of wrinkle relaxing injections

Wrinkle relaxing injections are particularly effective at reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the upper face. They can treat:

• Horizontal lines in the forehead
• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Crow’s feet (lines from the side of the eyes)

You will notice an improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles around 7-14 days after your treatment. Some patients notice a difference within a couple of days.

The treatment is very safe with few side effects. Any side effects experienced tend to be minor.

Wrinkle relaxing injections are not as effective at treating lines at the lower part of the face. Dermal fillers are a good alternative if you are looking to improve the appearance of skin on the lower face.

The wrinkle reducing effects of the injections last between three and six months. On average you would need to repeat the treatment every four months to maintain results.

A question some patients ask is “Do wrinkle relaxing injections make you look older when they wear off?”. The answer is no, they don’t.

Once the injections wear off, the appearance of your line or wrinkle simply returns to how it was before the treatment.

Wrinkle relaxing injections can actually slow the ageing process. Wrinkles and lines do not get any worse while the substance injected remains active.

Do wrinkle relaxing injections hurt?

As with any injection, wrinkle relaxing injections may cause slight discomfort.

Your aesthetic practitioner uses a tiny, fine needle. The injection is superficial and very fast. Most patients report little or no pain, and find the injection very tolerable.

How to prepare for wrinkle relaxing injections

To prepare for the injections you should stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory medication two weeks before your appointment. You should also avoid alcohol the week before your procedure.

If you have any questions about other medications or activities contact us and we will be happy to discuss this in more detail.

Wrinkle relaxing injections aftercare

You can return home straight after treatment. It is a good idea to relax for the rest of the day and avoid exercise for 24 hours.

Exercising can increase blood flow to the area treated which could reduce effectiveness at the injection site. It can also make bruising more likely.

You should avoid touching, rubbing or putting pressure on the treated area for 24 hours.

Why choose The Clinic @ 78?

There are a number of reasons to choose The Clinic @ 78 for wrinkle relaxing injections and other aesthetic treatments.

Firstly, we are regulated by the Care Quality Commission. This is a national organisation that regulates healthcare facilities. We are inspected regularly to check we’re doing everything in accordance with safety guidelines.

Secondly, all aesthetic treatments at The Clinic @ 78 are carried about by General Medical Council registered doctors. This ensures you get care of the highest standard.

Thirdly, we always put you first, designing bespoke treatment plans for every patient. We’ll listen to your needs and recommend the treatments that will help you achieve the desired outcome, safely.

We’d love to speak to you about which treatments might suit you best. Get in touch with our aesthetics team for an initial discussion.

Contact us today.