Treatments for Wrinkles and Ageing Skin in Melbourne

The skin naturally loses its smoothness and elasticity as the ageing process progresses. Maturing skin develops fine lines and wrinkles, changes that are exacerbated by sun exposure, smoking, stress and other factors. These changes are exacerbated by sun exposure, smoking, stress and other factors. At Northside Dermatology, we offer advanced rejuvenation techniques to deliver outstanding results for the treatment of facial ageing and other concerns. Anti-wrinkle injections are used to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, prevent new creases from forming and restore a more youthful appearance. They can also be used to treat some medical conditions.

Before & After Photos

Before and after treatment with dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections. Note improvement in the cheek contour, jowls, eyebrow position, wrinkles and skin texture.

Actual patient of Northside Dermatology. Photos are taken with our standardised clinical photography system and published with patient’s consent. Individual results may vary. A thorough consultation is required prior.

Before and after treatment with anti wrinkle injections for forehead lines.

Anti wrinkle injections to crow’s feet. Note the softening of lines and a natural outcome.

How Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Work?

Wrinkles and fine lines develop over time from repeated muscle contractions caused by smiling, squinting, raising the eyebrows and other facial expressions. These creases from recurrent muscle movement are called dynamic wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections are derived from a toxin that can temporarily stop this underlying cause of wrinkle formation by blocking the signal that travels from the nerves to the muscles. Without this signal, the injected muscle does not activate, causing wrinkles to relax and soften. Anti-wrinkle injections are most effective on dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles, which are visible while your muscles are relaxed, and deeply etched wrinkles are more effectively treated with dermal fillers.

What Concerns Can Anti-Wrinkle Injections Treat?

Anti-wrinkle injections have both cosmetic and therapeutic applications. Depending on your needs, anti-wrinkle injections can be used to:

Improve the appearance of dynamic lines (typically frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet)
Reduce lines around the upper lip
Reduce downturn of the mouth
Correct a gummy smile
Soften a prominent chin or jaw
Soften neck bands and smooth the surrounding skin
Create a slimmer facial shape
Treat jaw clenching and bruxism (teeth grinding)
Treat axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating)
Alleviate discomfort from migraines and tension headaches

What Does Treatment With Anti-Wrinkle Injections Involve?

During consultation, your dermatologist/cosmetic nurse will enquire about your medical history, your areas of concern, your aesthetic goals and your budget. Clinically assessment is the most important step in treatment planning. your clinician will assess your facial dynamics at rest and during conversation.

During the treatment, your treating clinician will clean your skin and mark the treatment area to ensure the injections are safely and accurately placed. Your clinician will then administer the injections with an ultra-fine needle. Most patients do not require any downtime after treatment with anti-wrinkle injections and can resume their daily activities immediately.

Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections Painful?

Because the needle is fine and a small amount of product is used, the injection process involves minimal discomfort for the majority of patients. Many describe the feeling of the injections as a pinching sensation.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

The most common side effects are related to the injection itself, including bruising, swelling, tenderness at the injection site. Some patients experience a slight headache after their first treatment. These side effects are generally mild and resolve relatively quickly. A rarer side effect is ptosis, a temporary droop of the eyelid or eyebrow. All potential side effects associated with anti-wrinkle injections will be discussed in the consultation before your procedure.

Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections Safe?

Anti-wrinkle injections are backed by numerous clinical studies and articles in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. They have been utilised in the medical field for many years and are one of the leading nonsurgical cosmetic procedures worldwide. To ensure your procedure is completely safe, seek out a practitioner who is qualified, experienced and licensed to administer the injections.

How Long Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Last?

Anti-wrinkle injections are not permanent. As the product wears off, muscle movement gradually returns and wrinkles in the treated area may reappear. Results last three to four months on average. Regular treatments can help slow or prevent signs of ageing. With repeated treatments, you may discover that your wrinkles are less noticeable than before and that you can wait longer between appointments. Your clinician will create a customised treatment schedule based on your results and desired outcomes.

Who Cannot Have Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections are not advisable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there is an infection in the treatment area. They are not appropriate for individuals with some neurological conditions and people who are allergic to the ingredients of the product. Caution is necessary for patients who take certain medications, have bleeding tendencies or experience significant bruising during treatment.

Who Performs the Anti-Wrinkle Injections at Northside Dermatology?

Anti-wrinkle injections are administered by Dr Liu (consultant dermatologist) and by our cosmetic nurse Anadelle.

How Much Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Cost?

Every face is unique and so is every patient’s desired result. The cost of anti-wrinkle injections depends on the individual’s needs and goals, as well as the treatment required to achieve a good outcome. Your clinician will inform you of the cost of your procedure during your consultation. As you consider your options, we advise you to prioritise your safety and the experience of the injector. Marketing can be misleading and a lower cost will not necessarily achieve the same results.

Will People Notice My Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

When a skilled injector administers anti-wrinkle injections, the result is a rejuvenated you that doesn’t look overly “done” or unnatural. Our treatment philosophy is not focused on eliminating every wrinkle and erasing the unique features that make you look like you. The goal is to maintain these characteristics and your facial expressions so you look naturally refreshed and rested, not frozen.

What Does Dr Liu Say About Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

I see a lot of patients who look “just not quite right” after having anti-wrinkle injections. Often they don’t even realise that they don’t “look quite right” as they only see themselves in the mirror, not dynamically during conversations.

The key to avoiding that “done” and “not quite right” look is to treat the face in a balanced fashion. What I mean by this is that if you only treat the forehead and frown lines, and do not treat the lower facial movement, then the balance of facial dynamics is lost and it’s not going to look right. If you only address one area of the face and not another area that is over-dynamic, then again the balance is lost and it looks “not quite right”.

Another common reason for looking “not quite right” is excessive/inappropriate placement of products on the forehead, especially in an older patient who uses the forehead muscles to compensate for eyelid ptosis (droopy eyelid). Depending on the patient’s brow position, excessive/inappropriate placement of product on the forehead can also flatten the eyebrow, creating a more masculine look in female patients which is not desirable. Incorrect placement of products to treat crow’s feet can affect the muscles that elevate the cheek and alter the appearance of the smile. Upper lip injections, when used inappropriately in someone who already has a longer upper lip length, can distort facial proportion and balance. The list goes on and on.

One of the most commonly asked questions we get is how much a unit of muscle relaxant costs. My advice to anyone who is interested in facial rejuvenation is to ask about the total cost of having a balanced, natural treatment. I often see patients who pay less per unit of muscle relaxant, but have a higher overall cost per treatment due to excessive products used and incorrect placement of products that gives them a “not quite right” result. The best thing you can do when seeking muscle relaxant treatment is to find an experienced injector who you trust, discuss your concerns and work with him/her to get the most within your budget.

Facial assessment and a global treatment approach are important when it comes to anti-wrinkle injections. I often suggest patients have smaller, more frequent dosing to achieve a more natural result.

Dr Liu, Principal Dermatologist

Why Us?

At Northside Dermatology, we are dedicated to offering the safest and most effective treatments to help you feel confident, youthful and happy in your skin. Our clinicians have advanced knowledge of facial anatomy, extensive experience performing cosmetic injections and a thorough understanding of the subtleties involved in achieving natural results. This, combined with our signature microdosing technique and highly personalised approach, ensures you are never over-treated. Your injections will be administered with the utmost attention to your unique facial expressions and anatomy. To find out whether anti-wrinkle injections are right for you, call Northside Dermatology on 03 8582 8688 or book an appointment with our cosmetic nurse online.