When we’re young, our skin is rich in hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. These elements work to keep our skin plump, firm and hydrated. However, as we age, our skin begins to produce less of these elements which causes our skin to become drier and less elastic. Sun exposure and gravity can also take a toll, causing skin to sag and wrinkles to form.
Muscle Relaxants and Dermal Fillers are two popular injectable options to reduce the telltale signs of ageing. But how do you know which is right for you? Over the next two blogs, we’ll give you the rundown on both of these treatments and how they might work for you.
Injectables, Part One: Muscle Relaxants
What are they?
Botulinum A muscle relaxants work to block signals between the nerves and muscles, so the injected areas do not contract. As a result, muscle relaxants help to minimise signs of aging by relaxing the muscles that cause facial expression lines such as forehead lines when you raise your eyebrows and crows’ feet when you smile.
What can they be used for?
Muscle relaxants are generally used to eliminate the visible lines or wrinkles that appear as your face naturally moves.
The most common treatment areas include:
- The frowning area: the lines that are visible on your forehead when you raise your eyebrows.
- Crow’s feet: The creases that appear around your eyes when you smile.
- Bunny lines on the nose: These mostly appear when smiling.
- Down turning of the corners of the mouth: These occur naturally as you age.
- Strap muscles in the neck: These can be prominent when certain facial expressions are used.
What are the benefits?
As stated above, muscle relaxants work to minimise ‘moving’ lines and wrinkles. The results of this treatment are not instantaneous….but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This gradual effect helps to ensure a subtle difference, making it difficult to detect that you’ve had work done.
What are the disadvantages?
When deciding which treatment is better suited to you, it’s important to weigh up the cons along with the pros.
While muscle relaxants work to reduce the lines and wrinkles that appear when your face is naturally moving, this treatment will unfortunately not work on the lines you see when your face is at rest. This means that if you have deep lines in your frown area, these do not disappear with this treatment. However, muscle relaxants will prevent the deepening of these lines when you frown.
While it is rare that you would experience complications when receiving this treatment from a skilled administrator, there are still some potential risks that you should be aware of. These risks include pain, tenderness, redness of the skin, infection and bruising around the injected areas. These issues will subside within a week after treatment.
How long do muscle relaxants last?
Muscle relaxants are a short-term cosmetic solution as the effects of this treatment generally lasts for around three months. However, this treatment can also last for six to eight months for some lucky people. Ultimately, the lifespan of this treatment will depend on the individual.
Click here for Injectables, Part Two: Dermal Fillers
Before undergoing a treatment, we always recommend consulting with a trained medical practitioner to ensure that you select a treatment that is right for you. Unlike some clinics, our injectable treatments are all performed by a highly skilled in-house doctor. Dr Helena Rosengren will discuss your concerns and desired/possible outcomes before administering the suitable treatment. Book in a consultation here to help you achieve your skin goals!
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