Wrinkle Reducing Treatments

Wrinkle-reducing treatment is a procedure that relaxes the facial muscles. If you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, breastfeeding or suffering from a nerve or muscle disease such as Eaton-Lambert Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you cannot have wrinkle reducing treatment.

As with any treatment you are about to commence, it is essential to discuss your health history with your practitioner to determine your suitability. Apart from these conditions, most people are suitable for wrinkle-reducing treatment.

These chemical messengers typically allow the nerve impulses to travel along the nerve pathway to the facial muscles, making the muscles contract.

When applied to the target area, the muscle-relaxing protein binds to nerve endings and temporarily blocks signal transmission to specific muscles. This results in reduced movement, helping to soften expression lines and promote a smoother, more refreshed appearance.

Wrinkle reducing treatments are given in small quantities to specific muscles of the face to reduce the contraction movement that causes lines and wrinkles to form in the skin overlaying the muscle. Wrinkle reducing treatments work by reducing or blocking the secretion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the brain.

These chemical messengers typically allow the nerve impulses to travel along the nerve pathway to facial muscles, making the muscles contract.

When delivered to the targeted muscle, the purified protein binds to nerve endings and temporarily blocks signal transmission. This reduces muscle activity, helping to smooth expression lines and create a fresher, more youthful appearance.

As with other prescription-based cosmetic treatments, there is a risk of side effects, although these are typically mild and temporary. Some clients may experience a light scratch-like sensation during application. Treated areas may appear slightly puffy or red immediately after the procedure, but this usually settles within minutes.

Sometimes, bruising can occur at the treatment area. This typically resolves within a few days and can be easily covered using mineral makeup. A mild headache after treatment may be experienced by 9% of first-time users, but this side effect generally resolves within 24 hours. Less than 3% of people report generalised ‘flu-like’ symptoms during the onset phase, which quickly resolve within a day or two.

Muscle weakness, such as drooping eyelids or eyebrows, can occur in rare cases. This is not a side effect; it is dosing and placement-related, usually at the forehead or frown muscles. Our medical experts at the Cosmetic Studio Noosa take every precaution necessary to reduce this risk when administering anti-wrinkle treatments. If this unwanted side effect occurs in an infrequent event, it is important to know it is not permanent and will usually resolve within a few weeks.

Wrinkle-reducing treatments typically begin to take effect within 2 to 7 days, so you may not see immediate changes in your facial appearance right after the procedure.

You can carry on with your normal daily activities afterwards. However, it is important to remember that during the onset phase (2-7 days), you can inadvertently disrupt the spread of the dosing and the treatment outcome by applying undue pressure to the treatment area. We suggest you do not wear swimming goggles if your eye area has been treated, refrain from heavily massaging the injected area when cleansing or moisturising, do not wear tight-fitting caps or hats over the forehead area and do not have a facial or a massage in the first few days following treatment. It is essential to follow these aftercare instructions to reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.

What happens during and how long does the procedure take?
The procedure itself takes approximately 5-10 minutes. However, at The Cosmetic Studio Noosa, we allow 45 minutes for consultation time to discuss your medical history, the results you would like to achieve, and all information related to the treatment. We tailor a personalised treatment plan for you and take time to answer any questions or concerns. As part of the treatment process, we take photos of the area (strictly for your and our digital records only) and obtain your consent. Before you leave, we will give you brochures and information on aftercare, with a follow-up appointment to review the treatment if it is your first time having this treatment.

At The Cosmetic Studio Noosa, wrinkle-reducing treatments are priced per unit of product used. The total cost will depend on the number of units required to achieve your desired result, as determined during your consultation with a qualified practitioner.

Different treatment areas also require different dosing, and the necessary dose for everyone may vary. For example, some people have a very deep, strong frowning muscle, while others have a weaker, smaller frowning complex – so the dose (how many units needed) and the cost can vary*.

Because muscle contraction and movement are different in each person, we must see the area to assess and determine dosing and, therefore, cost. To do this, we must perform the assessment face-to-face in the consultation rather than over the phone. As mentioned earlier, the consultation is free and is an excellent opportunity to discuss all the options available and give you an accurate quote.

As the ingredients are prescribed medicines, we cannot name the product by its known brand name or list unit or syringe pricing, as per TGA advertising codes and our regulating body, AHPRA.

We offer consultations and assessments with our registered Nurses to determine how to achieve an optimal result for you.

Results vary from person to person, but you can typically see the effects of the treatment within a week*. In most cases, you will notice that the treated area slowly relaxes the muscles in the first 3-4 days*. The onset is quick for some, and for others, it is slower.

Because this treatment involves a muscle-relaxing protein commonly used in medical settings to ease conditions involving muscle overactivity, most clients do not experience significant pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Instead, it has the sensation of relaxation, the opposite of a cramping feeling. When this treatment is given in the frown or forehead area, it can often improve muscle tension and headaches.

There is a possibility of bruising with any treatment that involves application beneath the skin. We take every step to minimise bruising; however, bruising risks can be reduced, and we discuss these at the consultation. It is important to note that medications and supplements like Nurofen, Fish Oil, Aspirin, GinkoBilba and Vitamin E can thin your blood, increasing the chances of bruising.

Please let your practitioner know what medications you are taking before your treatment. However, do not discontinue medication without consulting with your doctor first.

At The Cosmetic Studio Noosa, we prioritise ensuring our clients feel comfortable while undergoing treatments. In most cases, pain relief is not necessary for wrinkle-reducing treatments, which are often described as feeling like a light scratching sensation.

For those who are highly anxious or have a needle phobia, we use a topical anaesthetic cream before the treatment to dull the sensation further and employ an array of effective distracting techniques.

Making clients feel comfortable and confident whilst under our care is part of our expertise.

We conduct follow-up assessments for clients receiving wrinkle-reducing treatments to ensure the dosage has achieved the desired effect and to make any necessary adjustments.

The treatment usually works as expected, but it may occasionally need adjusting with additional dosing to achieve complete relaxation. The Cosmetic Studio Noosa does not charge for dosing top-ups at the review appointment.

Because anti-wrinkle treatments do not work immediately, we suggest you return approximately two weeks after the treatment so we can assess your post-treatment progress. This session is conducted free of charge and takes only a few minutes.

A unit is the form of measurement used to measure anti-wrinkle medication, i.e. the dose. All facial muscles have a sliding scale of how many units will be used to relax movement. The scale can start at a minimal number of units for a slight contraction and increase to many units for a strong movement. How many units you will have depends on the strength of the contraction or how smooth and relaxed you want that area to be.

For example, if you have an intense frown but only want it softened slightly, the dose can be calculated in lesser unit amounts to give you the desired result. Likewise, if you have an intense frown and prefer to be completely relaxed, the units can be increased within the sliding scale to achieve maximum relaxation.

Static wrinkles form when the skin’s supportive framework of collagen and elastin fibres weakens over time, reducing its ability to maintain smoothness and elasticity. As a result, lines begin to form and may gradually develop into deeper creases or folds.

Static wrinkles are a normal part of the ageing process; however, they may appear earlier in people whose collagen has been affected by factors such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, menopause, illness, or ongoing stress.

Sleep lines and facial creases are also examples of static wrinkles that naturally appear as the skin matures.

A variety of professional treatments are available to help soften static lines by restoring hydration, supporting skin structure, and encouraging natural collagen activity. During a consultation, your practitioner will assess your skin and recommend the most appropriate approach for your needs.

Dynamic wrinkles are lines that form from repetitive facial muscle movement. For example, people who work outdoors squint or frown often develop crinkles around their eyes or frown lines between their brows. In other cases, there is a genetic propensity to frown or smile strongly, which develops familial lines and wrinkles.

Regardless of the cause, all dynamic lines are typically addressed with wrinkle-reducing treatments that relax overactive muscles. This helps smooth the skin above the muscle, resulting in a softer and more refreshed appearance.

Many factors contribute to the development of wrinkles in the human face other than normal facial ageing. Family genetics, some hereditary conditions, poor health, stressors, environmental influences and some lifestyle choices all play a role in the premature onset, development and severity of wrinkles.

Discussing your health, lifestyle and family history is an essential part of the treatment plan process to determine the best treatment for wrinkles, whether dynamic or static.