Quick Facts about Anti-Wrinkle Injections: The Benefits and What to Expect

Getting older is a simple fact of life, and most of us welcome it, mentally-speaking, because we know that with age also comes experience – and, more often than not, wisdom. But getting older comes with physical changes as well, one of which is the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and so on. This is especially true for the face, where such lines and wrinkles can be deemed unattractive. But fine lines and wrinkles can also be caused by too much exposure to the sun, dehydration, poor nutrition, gravity, and smoking. If you notice more fine lines and wrinkles on your face and would like to find a way to address them in a fast and efficient manner (and without the hassle often associated with cosmetic surgery), then you may want to consider anti-wrinkle injections. But what are they, and what makes them a good solution for lines and wrinkles? Here are some quick facts about anti-wrinkle injections: the benefits, the procedure, and what to expect.

The basics

As already mentioned, fine lines and wrinkles can be caused by different factors, like natural ageing, exposure to the sun, dehydration, poor nutrition, and more. It can even be caused by your natural expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or laughing. The basic principle behind anti-wrinkle injections is to provide you with a non-surgical solution to improve your skin’s appearance. The appeal lies in its minimally-invasive nature and its effectiveness, particularly for lines on the forehead, crow’s feet, and frown lines. Anti-wrinkle injections are the number one non-surgical treatment for fine lines and wrinkles in the world.

How it works

Anti-wrinkle injections are often called Botox injections as well, and this is because the treatment makes use of Botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is a protein that naturally occurs and is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. This toxin can block the chemical signals produced by the nerves that cause muscles to contract, and since the nerves don’t receive these messages when Botulinum toxin is injected onto an area, the muscles will ‘rest’ until the chemical messages can essentially ‘recover.’ The recovery period can take anything from eight to 12 weeks.  

The benefits of the procedure

• Anti-wrinkle injections can dramatically decrease the noticeable signs of ageing, wrinkles, and fine lines
• It can result in a more refreshed, more vibrant, and younger look
• It can enhance your inherent physical beauty
• It can help rejuvenate your skin
• The results are visible in just a short time, and it’s a quick procedure that is also relatively painless
• You don’t have to go through any downtime once the procedure is done; you can simply perform your daily tasks and activities with no worries
• It’s a non-invasive process, which means that you don’t have to go through a recovery period and it doesn’t involve any cuts or stitches at all

The procedure

Anti-wrinkle injections can eliminate and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and the effect can last anywhere from four months to six months. The injections work by blocking the impulses of the nerves connected to the muscles, which cause creases and wrinkles in the first place. The process itself often takes only half an hour, and you can return to work or carry on with other tasks immediately succeeding the procedure.

What to expect

When you have the injections, you may feel a slight sensation similar to being pricked by a pin in the area that is injected. But the needles are so small and fine that the pain is often minimal. You can also ask for topical anaesthesia before the procedure so you will feel less pain. Once the doctor injects an area, you may feel some numbness, but this quickly dissipates as well. Some people experience slight headaches when the treatment is finished, but this will often fade in a day or so.

You may also be told to keep the targeted muscles in an active state for several hours after the treatment, and they may advise you to avoid extreme temperatures, such as temperatures that are too hot or too cold, for about four to six hours. You should avoid intense exercise during this period as well, and try not to lie down or lean over.

There may also be some slight bruising on the treated areas accompanied by swelling and redness, but this will also begin fading once you are done with your treatment.

The results

The results can vary depending on the amount of Botulinum toxin injected onto your treatment areas, but you may be able to see improvement in as little as two to three days. The complete result, however, will be entirely noticeable in about two to three weeks. You may be asked by the treatment centre to come back in two to three weeks so they can assess the treatment’s success and perhaps make adjustments according to your personal plan of treatment.