Facial Aesthetics
Wrinkle reduction at Netherton Dental Practice
Wrinkles and facial lines result from ageing, muscle activity (and over activity) and your genetic predisposition. In addition, excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, smoking, emotional and hormonal influences can also increase the likelihood of winkles. While you may be able to reduce or control some of the factors, you cannot influence all factors and that’s why we all develop some wrinkles as we age.
We can offer professional consultations and treatments to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Our practitioner has knowledge of head and neck anatomy and physiology together with training in the use of cosmetic treatments which can subtly enhance your appearance to make you look younger.
If you are interested in talking about skin health treatments, please click here to book a consultation appointment.
What is botulinum toxin?
Botulinum is a substance that is produced by a bacteria; it’s then highly refined, purified, diluted and used in therapeutic doses. Botulinum is administered by injecting it into a specific facial muscle where it acts as a muscle relaxant.
The name ‘Botox’ is purely a brand name for the drug: Botulinum Toxin. There are many other brands on the market which do the same treatment. Botulinum Toxin it is a prescription only medication. This means that Dr Anisha will assess your suitability by providing a consultation prior to prescribing any facial aesthetic treatment.
Who would benefit from this treatment?
Anyone can benefit from botulinum toxin, both men and women. Botulinum is most effective in improving lines or wrinkles due to facial expressions, for example, worry lines or frown lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows. This is because these lines are usually caused by overactive muscles and the treatment stops these muscles from contracting and causing wrinkles.
Can Anti Wrinkle injections be used for anything else?
They can be used strategically to stop muscles contracting and hence give other aesthetic results such as:
Brow lift – by relaxing the muscles under the tail of the brows, this will relax the muscle and help lift the corner of the brow up by up to 3mm. The effect of this treatment is subtle but effective.
Nose droop – an overactive muscle attaching the nose tip to the lip can cause the nose to droop when smiling. By reducing the activity of the muscle, the nose will droop less when smiling and talking.
Lip Flip – by relaxing the outer muscles of the top lip, this can give a subtle lift of the lip. This works well alongside lip filler treatment.
Gummy Smile – There are many muscles involved in smiling. An overactive muscle can lift the lip too high showing too much gum. Relaxing this muscle will reduce gum show which allows normal smiling.
Masseter Reduction – an overactive chewing muscle can give the appearance of larger Jaw and is also related to Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ for short) pain. Relaxing this muscle will help shrink the muscle slightly; this can reduce the size of the Jaw. To achieve facial slimming this process will require repeating multiple times.
You should not have treatment with botulinum if you are pregnant, breast feeding, have a neurological disease or a known hypersensitivity to it.
How long does the treatment take?
In most cases the treatment will take between 10 and 20 minutes. Effects will begin to appear very quickly, within 48 to 72 hours, although the full extent of the treatment may not be visible for up to ten days. Approximately two weeks after the first treatment, the effects will be reviewed with your practitioner and any further treatments or top-ups can be discussed.
Is the treatment uncomfortable?
Very tiny needles are used and only small amounts are administered. As a result any discomfort is usually minimal and short lived which is why there is no need for local anesthesia.
Are there any adverse effects?
In a small number of cases there may be some localised bruising, slight swelling or redness at the site of the injection. This usually disappears very quickly and can respond to the application of a cool pack to the area.
Some people may experience headaches, which usually go away within 24 to 48 hours. A small percentage of patients may develop eyelid drooping. This usually ends within three weeks. Drooping usually happens when the Botulinum moves around, so don’t rub the treated area for 12 hours after injection .
Botulinum has been used in thousands of patients over the last fifteen plus years. It is made in a controlled laboratory environment, is highly purified and administered in tiny quantities. It has an excellent safety profile.
As soon as your treatment is over you can resume normal daily activities.
Do the effects of this treatment look artificial?
No, unlike some surgical facelifts, this kind of treatment is very specific and works only on those muscles that are involved in producing the facial lines that you want to reduce. Other muscles are unaffected and this means that your usual facial expressions remain the same.
How long will the effects of this treatment last?
Initially the improvement that you receive from this treatment will last from 3 to 4 months. You will notice a gradual fading effect and, at this stage, you can return for another treatment if you want to. With repeated treatments, the effect lasts longer.
Want to know more?
Why not click here to book your consultation with Dr Anisha
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