Injectable Wrinkle Treatments
Wrinkle Fillers
Lines & Wrinkles
Smoothing wrinkles, lines and folds resulting in a healthy, vital appearance or giving your mouth a more sensuous look requires no foreign elements. New, revolutionary injectable ‘wrinkle fillers’ are safe, natural, effective, with immediate results.
The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. Wrinkles form when the natural collagen and hyaluronic acid in your skin diminish with the natural course of aging. Other predisposing factors are sun exposure, disease , injury, smoking, genetics and lifestyle.
Young skin is smooth, elastic and contains a large amount of hyaluronic acid which helps the skin look healthy. As we get older, the ability of the skin to produce collagen and hyaluronic acid decreases and the amount in our skin begins to reduce. Collagen provides structure to our skin whilst hyaluronic acid promotes skin volume, hydration and vitality. This deterioration in collagen and hyaluronic acid results in facial lines and wrinkles as the skin and lips lose elasticity, firmness and volume.
Dermal fillers are substances that are injected just below the surface of the skin to replenish the supporting elements, filling lines, wrinkles and scars from the inside out. Dermal fillers can restore a smoother, more youthful appearance as they naturally bind with the water in your skin to lift and give new firmness.
The most popular dermal fillers are based on a polysaccharide - a naturally occuring substance. They require no patch testing and are not animal based products. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that binds water and thereby hydrates the skin, keeping it fresh, firm and healthy. These dermal fillers come in the form of a clear, biodegradable gel which is injected into the dermal layer of skin to have an immediate smoothing and plumping effect on the skin tissue. Fine lines and wrinkles diminish or disappear and lip volume is enhanced or restored. These fillers create a long-lasting and natural enhancement and can even be used to rejuvenate the neck, décolletage and hands.
Treatment using these products is very simple using a very fine needle for injection which produces slight discomfort. Occasionally, anaesthetic cream or local anaesthetic injection may be used to minimise pain. Some initial flushing, mild swelling and bruising may be temporarily observed. These subside quickly, leaving the skin fresher, healthier and younger-looking. The treatment generally takes about 20-30 minutes and downtime is minimal.
How long the effects of these treatments can be appreciated is very much up to the individual. It depends on many factors such as structure of the skin, lifestyle and age - as well as the degree of perfection demanded by the individual.
Deeper Grooves & Facial Contouring
Injectable fillers are also popular for the treatment of deeper grooves and facial contouring.
Deeper grooves or depressions in the face can arise due to the natural droop of tissues with age or due to trauma or disease. They can be filled in a similar fashion to fine lines, but usually larger quantities of the wrinkle filler is required as it is placed more deeply in the skin. Different injectable fillers or thicker versions of the superficialdermal fillers fillers may be employed.
Facial contouring involves the augmentation of areas of the face which require more prominence eg. cheek bones or chins. In the past, silicone facial implants were inserted surgically to achieve this augmentation. It is now possible to contour the face using nonsurgical methods.
Deep fillers are ideal for the treatment of facial hollows and facial contouring as they can be injected in the deeper layers of the skin or near the surface of underlying bone to plump up a broad expanse of tissue. The overlying skin is then lifted to create a better contour. Although deep fillers have an immediate effect, bruising is more common due to the deeper injections.
An alternative filler is available that promotes new tissue growth (‘biostimulator’) in the treatment area. Unlike the traditional deep fillers that have an immediate result, the biostimulator produces a gradual more subtle contour correction over time. It has the advantage of being longer lasting than the traditional deep fillers, but will require numerous treatments to achieve the desired effect. Biostimulation of new tissue growth (new collagen) is particularly useful to correct facial thinning and skin ‘crepiness’. These problems can occur with age, weight loss or disease.
The injectable treatment alternatives for the correction of facial grooves and enhancement of facial contours are numerous. Your treatment choice will be decided in consultation with your cosmetic physician and will be influenced by the facial correction or contouring desired and the duration of effect preferred.
The new wrinkle fillers provide a long-lasting and natural enhancement restoring a youthful glow to the face and skin. As well as looking healthier and younger, you’ll feel fresher and more self-confident.
Good looks and self confidence revitalise both body and soul!
See for yourself: Wrinkle fillers
Wrinkle Relaxers
Wrinkle relaxing injections have become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for facial rejuvenation. They are an effective way to erase facial lines and wrinkles without surgery and no real recovery time.
Dynamic facial wrinkles are caused by contractions of the delicate muscles of the face every time you express emotion. The more expressive you are, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely to be. These lines may be misinterpreted as anger, anxiety, fatigue and aging. Wrinkle relaxing injections create a more youthful and relaxed appearance by precisely relaxing the overactive facial muscles which in turn results in a disappearance or softening of these overactive facial lines. Normal facial expression is maintained, as only the culprit facial muscles are treated.
There are several areas of the face where wrinkle-relaxing injections are commonly used. The forehead consists of 3 main muscles (the powerful corrugator or frown muscle, the frontalis and the procerus). These muscles contribute to the central frown and the horizontal forehead lines. The orbicularis oculi muscles create the smile lines (crows feet) at the corners of the eyes. The chin muscle (the mentalis) can cause the chin to display a ‘cobblestone’ appearance which can only be treated by wrinkle relaxing injections. It is also possible to raise the eyebrows and create a more pleasing brow shape with wrinkle relaxers. This is called a ‘chemical browlift’.
The wrinkle relaxer is a purified protein that blocks the muscle action and minimises the wrinkles associated with the overactive muscles. It does not produce numbness or disturbance of sensation. This protein is also extensively used in the medical treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), migraine and even walking problems in children with cerebral palsy. Naming this product is not permitted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The treatment is performed using a very fine needle into the belly of the muscle. The skin may be numbed with anaesthetic cream or icepacks. As the pain of the fine injection is very mild (likened to an insect bite), most people find that the use of icepacks a few minutes prior to injection is satisfactory. Several injections are needed for each treatment. Treatment takes approximately 15 minutes depending on the number of areas treated. Normal activities can be resumed immediately after treatment. However, it is best to avoid massaging the treatment area and vigorous exercise on the day of therapy. This is to prevent migration of the product to other areas. It is also advisable not to lie down for four hours following the injection.
The effect of the injection takes about 4-5 days to become noticeable, with maximum effect at 10-14 days. The effects of the wrinkle relaxer usually lasts 3-6 months (average 4 months), at which time another injection is required. If you have a repeat treatment, the results generally last longer than the first time. The more treatments you have, the longer the effects of subsequent injections.
The wrinkle relaxer works only locally and does not spread to any other part of the body. Side effects are generally minimal and transient. Swelling at the injection site resolves within hours. Symptoms of headache and bruising occasionally accompany your initial treatment, but are generally shortlived. Some people because of loss of muscle tone may notice ‘heaviness’ in the forehead. This can last for a few weeks. Mild weakness of the eyelid (ptosis) is rare and resolves in 3-4 weeks. Allergic reactions have never been reported with the formulations available in Australia. Patients who are pregnant (or breastfeeding) or have a neurological disease should not be treated.
This form of wrinkle therapy is an effective treatment for the lines of facial expression resulting in a fresher, younger and more self-confident look.
See for yourself: Wrinkle relaxers
Lip Enhancement
Lips have often been regarded as the most sensual part of the face. Full, youthful lips can enhance features and increase self confidence.
Injectable fillers based on a polysaccharide promote a natural, healthy fullness to the lip and restore the lip's natural character without the risks (infection and nodule formation) associated with the permanent lip fillers.
Lip augmentation involves the injection of non-permanent fillers to enhance the lip volume (‘pout’) and to restore definition to the lip edge (‘contour’). The dermal filler is injected into the inside of the upper and/or lower lip to create a more pronounced mouth and fuller lips. This is combined with the outlining of the contour of the lip by injecting the gel along the lip line or edge. The lip edge, know as the vermillion border of the lip is the most dramatic feature of your lips. Redefining this edge leads to a more youthful and appealing look and also prevents lipstick bleeding into the small lines around the lips. Upper lip lines and smile lines, adjacent to the lips, can also be softened simultaneously with lip augmentation to enhance the overall aesthetic appearance. It is also possible to create a defined ‘cupid's bow’ which is believed to enhance attraction.
The lip augmentation procedure takes 20-30 minutes, including a consultation prior to treatment. A local anaesthetic nerve block is applied prior to the procedure to minimise discomfort. The quantity and distribution of product within the lips is tailored to each individual. Depending on the look that is desired, more product can be placed in the middle of the bottom lip for a fuller pout, or alternatively, more product can be placed in the middle of the top lip to accentuate the cupids's bow. Lip swelling usually resolves in 24-48 hours. Once again, downtime will vary with the individual. The application of regular ice packs in the first 4 hours will reduce the risk of bruising and assist the recovery process.
A full upper lip, created with contouring, may be all that is needed to harmonise the nose, lips and chin, whilst adding volume to the lower lip is a simple way to achieve depth, tone and naturally healthy, irresistible lips. Most patients who undergo lip augmentation enjoy favourable and long-lasting results.
Lip enhancement with a non-permanent filler will allow for a different lip look in the future, however, a full, sensual mouth is rarely out of fashion.
See for yourself: Lip enhancement
Skin Regeneration Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE is the ultimate biological skin rejuvenation treatment, as it utilises your own cells in the form of platelet-rich plasma to regenerate new skin tissue.
A new approach appealing to clients seeking a more natural method to facial rejuvenation is regeneration with your own cells and more specifically Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). This is also referred to as Autologous Cellular Regeneration (ACR), an aesthetic practice, which is safe and effective.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the name given to blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets. Platelets are components of blood integral in blood clotting and tissue repair. The concentrated platelets in PRP contain large doses of bioactive proteins (known as growth factors) that are pivotal in the repair and regeneration of tissues. These special proteins also initiate new blood vessel formation, bone regeneration and healing, connective tissue repair and endorse overall wound healing.
PRP ‘Skin Regeneration Therapy’ utilises this concept of biological stimulation to regenerate new skin tissue. The growth factors released from the concentrated platelets activate resident stem cells and dormant skin cells. This stimulates new collagen and hyaluronic acid production and epithelial cell growth resulting in a dramatic improvement in skin health and appearance. Because your own plasma is used, there is no danger of disease transmission or allergic reaction.
Ideal in the treatment of:
- Crinkling around the eyes
- Skin crepiness
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loss of volume in the cheeks
- Thinning skin on arms & back of hands
- Aging and sun damage of the neck & chest
The process of facial rejuvenation with PRP:
A blood sample of 10-20 mls is collected in special sterile tubes and centrifuged to separate the plasma and concentrate the platelets. Using topical local anaesthesia, the platelet rich plasma is then injected into the deep dermis or fat layer of the skin. This entire process and injection time is simple and takes approximately 45 minutes. The process is completed on the same day and in the same medical practice. Side effects can include swelling, bruising and redness which may last for 12 – 24 hours. Occasionally, more significant bruising may occur which may take a few days to resolve. PRP skin rejuvenation can be repeated at 4 weeks if further cell regeneration is desired.
Results you can expect from the treatment:
After the initial swelling and bruising has resolved, the skin will possess a youthful healthy glow. An improvement in skin texture, tone and hydration is visible within a few weeks. Fine lines, skin crepiness and wrinkles begin to diminish at 4 weeks as new collagen is produced. These skin rejuvenation effects continue to improve for 3 - 6 months. A second treatment may be necessary, according to the degree of skin rejuvenation required and the expectations of the individual. Treatment results will vary with the individual; however most patients will enjoy the skin rejuvenation effects for at least 12 months.
Aftercare:
Results can be enhanced and accelerated with the addition of Omnilux™ medical light therapy. A course of this red light treatment after PRP skin rejuvenation is strongly recommended to optimise your PRP skin regeneration treatment. In the short term this red light treatment will assist in the quick resolution of bruising and swelling. In the longer term, the precise wavelength of the red light will encourage and assist new collagen growth and skin cell regeneration.
See for yourself: Skin Regeneration Therapy
