Why do patients ask for botulinum toxin injections?
With the passage of time, strong contraction of the muscles underneath the skin of the face (muscles of facial expression) causes the overlying skin to wrinkle. Patients are unhappy with an appearance of constant frowning or tiredness. They are also concerned about the deep creases in the forehead, between the eyebrows and lines around the eyes (crows feet). Patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis are very embarrassed by their condition. They are unable to wear light coloured clothes as rings of sweat show up in a very short period of time. They often carry spare sets of clothes to work and have to shower two to three times a day because they are self-conscious about body odour. They cannot shake hands and are unable to write as the paper smudges due to excessive sweating.
Are there any reasons for patients not to have Anti Wrinkle injections?
Patients who are pregnant, who are on blood thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin or suffer from myasthenia gravis should not have Anti Wrinkle.
What does the treatment involve?
Anti Wrinkle injections are administered as an outpatient procedure. The surgeon marks the areas to be injected. Anti Wrinkle is injected with a very fine needle in carefully regulated doses into the muscles that are responsible for the formation of creases and wrinkles. Patients with hyperhidrosis of the armpits can also be injected in the outpatient department. Occasionally a white anaesthetic cream is applied to the skin one to two hours before the injection to decrease the discomfort of the injection. Patients with hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles of the feet usually have these injected with Anti Wrinkle under general anaesthetic.
What normally happens after the injection?
The areas that have been injected can be slightly bruised or swollen. The swelling and bruising usually resolves within a week. The effect of the Anti Wrinkle is not visible until one to three weeks after the injection and lasts for approximately four to six months. Patients who want a sustained effect need to have a repeat injection when the effect of Anti Wrinkle wears off.
How long will I need off work?
Most patients are able to return to work within a day. On occasions, there may be some significant swelling or bruising at the site of injection. This may affect your ability to meet with clients or to attend important social occasions.
What are the complications of Anti Wrinkle injections?
Very rarely patients can have an allergic reaction to Anti Wrinkle or the effect of Anti Wrinkle maybe visible in a wider area than intended. This can result in an exaggerated result was relative immobility of the forehead or slight drooping of the brow or of the upper eyelid. However this effect is completely reversible within some weeks of the injection.
What causes wrinkles?
Contraction of the muscles underneath the skin of the face (muscles of facial expression) causes the overlying skin to wrinkle.
Why do patients ask for treatment of wrinkles?
Patients regard wrinkles as sign of ageing and are unhappy with the appearance of the forehead, the area around the eyes and the mouth.
How can wrinkles be treated?
Depending upon the cause and depth of the wrinkles they can be treated by a variety of procedures such as injection of botulinum toxin, the use of synthetic fillers, injection of a small volume of the patient’s own fat underneath the skin to fill out the wrinkle and resurfacing of the skin by the use of either chemical peels or a laser. Your consultant will discuss the appropriate method of treatment with you following a consultation and examination.