Wrinkle Reduction

Wrinkle reduction injections give the best treatment results when used on the upper third of the face, particularly to improve the appearance of crows’ feet, forehead wrinkles, and expressive lines between the eyebrows.

The main lines and wrinkles that we can treat are:

• Glabella/frown lines between your brows
• Horizontal forehead lines
• Crows’ feet
• Bunny lines at the top of the nose
• Non-surgical brow lifting
• Non-surgical jawline reshaping – the Nefertiti Lift

Wrinkle reduction injections are also ideal for addressing the lines and bands on your neck that can give your age away. By stopping these muscles from contracting and pulling down on your facial muscles, it can not only help give your neck a smooth, elegant appearance, but also rejuvenate your face.

These injections are not suitable for the deep static lines that you may have around your nose and mouth, which tend to be caused by a loss of volume in the skin. These lines are better addressed using dermal fillers.

The results of wrinkle reduction injections are temporary. How long they last will depend on your individual case. Factors to consider include the area treated, the dose used, and how you respond. On average, most people find that they need repeat treatments every three to six months.

This treatment is well tolerated by most patients. At your initial consultation, we will take a detailed medical history as there are some medical conditions that would make you an unsuitable candidate for wrinkle reducing injections.

Wrinkle reducing injections are not suitable if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have Myaesthenia Gravis, Lambert Eaton Syndrome, and certain coagulation disorders. We will not perform these injections if you have an infection at the desired injection site.

It’s important to note that you may experience some mild bruising after the treatment. You should be able to cover this up with make-up. Some people experience a slight post-procedure headache, but this can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

In very rare cases, people have experienced short-term double vision following their treatment.

It is also possible to develop an eyelid droop after wrinkle reducing injections into the forehead area. In experienced hands, this occurs in less than one percent of cases, and should disappear over a period of two to ten weeks. An eye drop called Apraclonidine can help relieve any drooping.

New patients often ask us whether their face will look frozen after this treatment, or whether they’ll lose the expressiveness that is so important for human communication. We definitely take a ‘less is more’ approach at Glen Eden Aesthetics. Our aim is to be strategic about where we inject the wrinkle reducing product and the quantities we use so that you experience all of the benefits of this treatment without losing the animation of your features.

We are happy to arrange a follow-up appointment to see how the injections have worked and whether you need a top-up in any areas.

It can take up to two weeks for you to see the full results of your treatment.

Wrinkle reducing injections use a purified protein that has a history stretching back almost 200 years, when it was first used for the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) - a condition for which it is still used with great effect today - and correcting squints and blepharospasm (an involuntary tight closure of the eyelids). In fact, it was as a result of this latter use that clinicians first observed a reduction in the appearance of crows’ feet and wrinkles around the eyes leading to purified protein being licensed for cosmetic use.

These days, in America alone approximately 3.5 million people per year have wrinkle reducing injections, which accounts for 40% of all non-surgical cosmetic treatments carried out in the US. Wrinkle reducing injections are also the number one non-surgical treatment in the UK.

Because of the length of time that the ingredients of wrinkle reducing injections have been used and the number of people who have treatments every year, as well as numerous clinical trials, we are able to say with confidence that they have an exceptional safety record. Side effects tend to be minor in experienced hands, and might include a mild headache after the treatment or bruising around the injection sites.

Generally speaking, you won’t need to take any downtime for this treatment. It should only take 10-15 minutes and you will be able to drive and go about your daily activities straight away.

Before you have your wrinkle reduction treatment at Glen Eden Aesthetics, we’ll talk to you in detail about the pros and cons, potential side effects, and anything you should know about your aftercare. It is important that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about what’s right for you.

For the best results, we would recommend that you keep your head upright, and avoid any strenuous exercise for two to four hours after your treatment. You should also avoid massaging the treatment area.

Research has shown that if you spend some time deliberately alternating between smiling and frowning immediately after the treatment, it can help your facial muscles to absorb the wrinkle reducing product.

Wrinkle reducing injections are available as Prescription-Only Medicine (POM), which means that they should only ever be administered by a doctor, dentist or independent nurse prescriber. A registered nurse can also carry out this treatment under a prescriber’s instruction. You should always ask about your practitioner’s training and experience.

Glen Eden Aesthetics is a doctor-led clinic, where your treatment will be carried out by Dr John Elder himself or a highly experienced nurse practitioner.