Wrinkle removal

Wrinkle reduction treatments using Botox / Azzalure preparation is a method for correcting wrinkles caused by muscle contraction. Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles responsible for wrinkle formation and acts only within the muscles into which it was injected, while the remaining muscles function as usual. As a result, facial expression does not change, there is no „frozen” facial mimic effect, but the wrinkles smooth out.

INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT WITH BOTULINUM TOXIN

The treatment for removing mimic wrinkles using botulinum toxin can be performed:

• in young people as a prevention of wrinkle formation, aiming to delay their appearance. This especially concerns individuals with vivid, strong facial expressions,
• in mature individuals as a treatment to smooth already existing wrinkles,
• in both men and women

Such treatments are used to:

• smooth horizontal forehead wrinkles
• smooth vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows (so-called „frown” lines)
• smooth so-called „crow’s feet” around the eyes
• smooth „smoker’s” wrinkles around the mouth
• lift drooping corners of the mouth
• eliminate „cobblestone chin” and „witch’s chin”
• lift the eyelids

By administering botulinum toxin to appropriate facial areas, we achieve:

• complete or partial elimination of wrinkles (deep and strongly established wrinkles will not completely smooth out after botulinum treatment)
• a rested and relaxed facial expression
• a slight lift of certain facial parts, e.g., eyebrows or eyelids

The achieved effects, as well as their duration, depend on skin condition:

• in the case of dry, thin, parchment-like skin – effects may last shorter
• in the case of skin in good condition, hydrated and firm – effects may last longer

TREATMENT PROCEDURE

Due to patient safety, the mimic wrinkle removal procedure should only be performed by a specialist doctor.

It involves precise injection using a thin needle of the botulinum toxin preparation into specific facial points. The procedure is brief and does not require anesthesia.

Botulinum toxin begins to act several days after injection. The full therapeutic effect is visible only after about 14 days. The effect lasts on average up to 4 months and depends on the patient’s age and skin condition.

The treatment can be repeated every 3-6 months. This depends on the patient’s aesthetic expectations.

Post-treatment care

• avoid physical exertion for 4-5 hours
• avoid massage and pressure on injection sites for 4-5 hours
• do not bend the head downward for 4 hours after the procedure

It is important that facial mimicry returns gradually and slowly over the following months after treatment until full muscle mobility is restored. That is, muscle movement and wrinkling return gradually, not suddenly overnight.

After the complete cessation of botulinum toxin effect, the treatment can be repeated.

Benefits

Each botulinum toxin injection is beneficial because during its action the skin rests from folding and wrinkling. That is, during the preparation’s effect, wrinkles do not deepen but smooth out. The face after a single treatment – i.e., during the several-month period of botulinum toxin action – looks younger and more rested. Wrinkles become less pronounced. This happens because for several months we do not perform wrinkling movements. The skin rests, does not wrinkle or fold, so after the botulinum effect ends, it still looks better and is several months less creased.

Each treatment causes mimic wrinkles to become shallower – without botulinum toxin, daily wrinkling would cause them to deepen more and more.

Aesthetic botulinum toxin therapy does not require any detailed diagnostic tests, and immediately after its completion, the patient can return to their daily activities.

Side effects

• pain at the injection site
• small bruises that may form at the injection site if the needle hits a small vessel
• temporary excessive lowering of the eyebrows or too high lifting when treating forehead wrinkles
• small, temporary swelling with slight tingling at the injection site
• headache, relieved by painkillers

These reactions are transient; most resolve within a few days.

Contraindications

• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• neuromuscular transmission disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome)
• hypersensitivity to preparation components (human albumins)
• use of the following medications or within 1 week after discontinuation:
  – aminoglycosides (streptomycin, gentamicin, amikacin, kanamycin, etc.)
  – aminoquinolines (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine)
  – D-penicillamine (Cuprenil)
  – cyclosporine
  – lincomycin, tetracycline, polymyxin
• skin infections at the injection site

Treatment repetition

Treatments can be repeated every 3–6 months. This depends on the patient’s aesthetic needs.

This is one of those treatments patients willingly return to because it provides very quick and beneficial effects.

We invite you to specialists in aesthetic medicine and dermatology performing treatments at the WILMED Beauty Clinic in Warsaw.