What are muscle relaxants?

Muscle relaxants contain Clostridium Botulinum A, a highly purified protein that is used to effectively and safely treat facial wrinkles. The common brand names areBotox and Dysport.

How do they work?

They work by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscles can no longer contract, which causes wrinkles to relax and soften. The most desired outcome is a softening of facial muscles that cause wrinkles, to obtain a natural result.

What areas can be treated?

Muscle relaxants are most often used cosmetically to treat forehead lines, crow’s feet(lines around the eyes) and frown lines. They can also be used to treat the lower face to help with downturned mouths, dimpled chins, teeth grinding and much more. Wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity will not respond to muscle relaxants.

What does treatment involve?

Small amounts of the solution are injected into selected muscles using a very fine needle. The procedure is generally quick and is usually well tolerated, with most experiencing a slight stinging sensation. The treatment can be considered a lunchtime procedure and you can return to normal activities.

How do I look after treatment?

Usually you will have a tiny injection marks only. It is recommended not to touch the area after treatment however if you wish to apply makeup it needs to be applied by patting it gently onto the skin.Sometimes bruising can occur and is unpredictable.

How long does the treatment last?

Initially, repeat treatments will be required every 3 to 4 months. After 3 to 5 consecutive treatments some patients will find their results last longer and repeat treatments may be longer apart or may only require a lower dose.

Others will be more resistant to Botulinum and will continue to require more frequent treatments. Some area last longer while others wear off quicker.

Are Muscle Relaxants safe?

Yes they are. Botulinum Type A has been approved safe by all relevant international and national regulatory bodies for the treatment of facial wrinkles. It is safe to use as an injectable medicine because it is used in such small quantities and injected directly into specific sites.

What are the risks?

Side effects are minimal with this procedure but can include bruising or infection at the injection site, temporary discomfort, headache and mild swelling. Allergic reaction is rare but has been reported.

A temporary heaviness or even drooping of an eyelid or eyebrow is occasionally seen following treatment. These will resolve spontaneously as the effect of the treatment wears off.

Treatment of the lower face may rarely result in reduced ability to pucker the lips, drooling, change in speech, smile or movement of the lower lip.

Who is not suitable for this treatment?

Those who are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to fall pregnant within the next three months are not suitable. It is also not recommended within two weeks of surgery requiring general anaesthesia.

This treatment is not suitable for those with certain neurological or muscular diseases and should be postponed in the presence of infection near the treatment area.

What does treatment involve?

Treatment involves a series of injections into the lips, wrinkles, folds or areas of flattened contour. Your comfort is important and ice, anaesthetic creams and local injections are available. Your practitioner will review your medical history and discuss your concerns.

How much do I need?

It depends on the areas being treated and the amount of volume loss or plumpness you wish to achieve. We use fine fillers to smooth finer areas of the face, such as the eyes or upper lip. Thicker fillers are suited to areas that may need extra volume, such as the cheeks or jawline. Each treatment may require a number of different fillers and more than one syringe is often needed at one time.

How do I look after treatment?

Results are instant. Usually most normal activities may be resumed immediately, although bruising should be expected and can be hard to cover in the first few days following treatment. Temporary redness and swelling may be evident therefore we recommend that you do not schedule your treatment just before an important event to allow recovery time.

How long will it last?

From 6-24 months, depending on the filler used and the area injected. Generally the thinner fillers such as Restylane last 6-9 months whereas the thicker fillers can last up to 2 years. Two or more treatments are usually required to achieve the best results for each area treated.

The first treatment lays the foundation for subsequent improvement or adjustment. 2-3% of people will demonstrate an immediate and unpredictable breakdown of these products and will be dissatisfied with longevity. There is no effective way of predicting when this may happen.

Are dermal fillers safe?

The fillers we use are a non-animal, clear gel formulation made mostly of hyaluronic acid. They are specifically formulated to act like your body’s own hyaluronic acid to create volume and the likelihood of reactions is extremely low.

They have been used successfully and safely for many years and they can be dissolved if required. These products have an excellent safety profile however any medical treatment carries a risk of adverse reactions or events.

What are the risks?

Risks include temporary pain, redness, swelling, bruising, lumpiness, infection, or allergy. Temporary discolouration of the injection sites, scarring or activation of pre-existing cold sore infections are also small risks.

The risk of arterial embolization (product entering and travelling along a blood vessel) is extremely rare, but consequences are serious and can include loss of vision, or break down and scarring of skin and the underlying tissues. Discolouration of the injection sites, scarring or activation of pre-existing cold sore infections are also small risks.

Who is not suitable?

Dermal fillers are not recommended for those who have an allergy to hyaluronic acid, who have inflammation or infection in the area to be treated, are pregnant or breast feeding, have an auto-immune disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or tendency to keloid scarring, or have permanent filler already in place in the area to be treated.