What are anti-wrinkle injections?

Over time the normal movement of muscles under the skin on our face causes creases and folds. At first these skin creases are seen only with movement, but over time these lines are visible without movement giving rise to permanent lines or wrinkles.

Anti-wrinkle injections (botulinum toxin) work by relaxing the facial muscles to reduce the movement under these permanent lines to soften the appearance of the lines you have, and try to prevent the formation of further lines. Injections last 3-4 months after which time muscle movement recurs and the lines will reappear in exactly the same places. If injections are repeated every 3-4 months over time the appearance of lines can reduce further.

At the Ballsbridge Clinic only top quality botulinum toxin is used.

Where can I have treated?

The most common areas of the face treated with anti-wrinkle injections are:

• Frown lines between the eyes (Glabellar complex)
• Forehead lines (Frontalis)
• Crow’s feet (Orbicularis Oculi)

Other areas that can be treated with anti-wrinkle injections include Platysma muscles (tight neck bands), Masseter muscles (for teeth grinders ‘bruxism’ and slimming the jawline) and Armpits (for excessive sweating or ‘hyperhidrosis’).

At your free consultation with Dr. Fitzgerald at the Ballsbridge Clinic, she will take the time to carefully assess your skin and discuss possible treatment options with you. Any queries you may have will be answered, written information given and you can take as much time as you need to consider what treatment you may like. See below for before and after photographs.

Is it safe? What are the risks?

In Ireland anti-wrinkle injections can be administered only by a Registered Doctor or a Dentist as these are prescription products. With aesthetic training and indepth knowledge of the facial anatomy, careful administration of these injections will rarely cause side effects.

It is considered generally safe, particularly with the low doses used for facial treatments. It is not however suitable for people with certain neurological conditions or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Careful injection of the correct muscles, along with following the post treatment advice when you go home will reduce your risk of eye lid droop, brow droop, and the very rare complication of spread of botulinum toxin away from the site of injection. If you do have a side effect it should wear off along with the general effect of the product over the following weeks to months.

Natural asymmetry of the face may sometimes be more noticeable after treatment but this can usually be rectified at your free 2 week follow up visit. Further information will be provided at your initial consultation with Dr. Fitzgerald.

How long does it take? Does it hurt?

The treatment itself is very quick and causes only minimal discomfort, if any, with clients usually reporting only a slight sting. This is because a very tiny needle is used. Redness and bruising should be minimal and easy to cover with makeup soon after. The skin is cooled before the injections to reduce this risk further. You should be able to continue on with your normal day without anybody noticing.

The initial consultation may take up to an hour. This is to allow you as much time as you need to ensure you understand the treatment fully, have no contraindications to anti-wrinkle injections, along with careful consideration of what treatment options may work best for your facial features. You can take the information with you and consider if you would like to proceed with a treatment, safe in the knowledge that you have all the information you need to make your decision.

What do I do after my treatment? When will I notice the effects?

In order to prevent spread of botulinum toxin from the areas where it was injected, it is important to keep upright for 4 hours and to not massage or rub the areas after treatment for 72 hours. Vigorous exercise and facials should also be avoided over this time. Normal gentle cleansing and make up application can continue as normal.

It will take between 4 days and 2 weeks for the muscles to relax. A complimentary follow up visit 2 weeks later is advised to ensure you are happy with your treatment, and to add top-ups if needed. Our aim at Ballsbridge Clinic is to help you improve your appearance, whilst trying to avoid the unnatural frozen face look. It is easy to add further treatments at this point than starting out with too much.

Before & After Photographs (untouched; trying to make same expression before and 2 weeks after anti-wrinkle injections):

Crow’s Feet (orbicularis oculi)

Frown Lines (glabellar complex)

Frown Lines (glabellar complex)

Forehead lines (frontalis)