At Central CosMedic, Dr Danielle Waxman offers anti-wrinkle injections for patients across Havelock North, Hastings, Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay. Treatment is doctor-led from start to finish, and the aim is to soften lines while keeping your natural expression.
Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most common cosmetic treatments for lines caused by everyday facial movement, such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. This page explains how they work, which areas can be treated and what to expect.
Anti-wrinkle injections use a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the specific muscles responsible for certain lines. It is a prescription medicine, so treatment is only available after a consultation with a doctor.
Many lines on the face form because of repeated muscle movement, such as frowning, squinting or raising the eyebrows. Over time, these movements can leave creases that stay even when your face is at rest.
When a small amount is injected into a targeted muscle, it blocks the signal from the nerve that tells the muscle to contract. The muscle relaxes and the skin above it smooths out. The effect is temporary, so treatment is repeated to maintain the result.
Treatment is tailored to the lines that concern you. The areas treated are:
The same treatment is also used for some medical conditions. For more information, see Excessive Sweating and Migraine Treatment & Prevention.
This image shows the appearance before and immediately after Anti-Wrinkle Injections treatment. Individual results and recovery vary.
Anti-wrinkle injections are only given after a consultation, and only when they are a sensible option for you.
Dr Waxman takes a full health history, including any medications you take, and talks through the lines that bother you.
She looks at how your face moves, the strength of the muscles and the condition of your skin, and considers whether anti-wrinkle injections, another treatment or a combination would suit you best.
You will hear the potential benefits, risks and side effects in plain terms, along with the costs, before you decide anything.
If you go ahead, you agree a plan together, including when to come back to review how the treatment has settled.
An appointment takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Small amounts are injected with a very fine needle, and most people feel only a brief sting. Small bumps can appear where the injections were given, and these usually settle within about 30 minutes. There is no downtime, so you can go straight back to your usual day.
Dr Waxman will give you aftercare advice, which usually includes avoiding facials or massages for 24 hours, strenuous exercise for 24 hours, and rubbing or massaging the treated area.
Results start to show within a few days, with the full effect after about two weeks. They usually last around three to four months, although this varies with the area treated, the dose and how your body responds.
Anti-wrinkle injections treat lines caused by movement. Lines that are still visible when your face is at rest, or areas that have lost volume, may respond better to dermal fillers or a skin treatment such as a skin booster or collagen stimulator. Dr Waxman will explain your options.
Common side effects include mild pain, redness, swelling or bruising where the injections were given, and sometimes a headache. These usually settle within a few days.
Less commonly, the treatment can affect nearby muscles. This may cause a temporary drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow, or an uneven result. These effects wear off as the treatment does.
Anti-wrinkle injections are not suitable for everyone, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for people with certain nerve or muscle conditions. Your health history is reviewed before anything is recommended, and Dr Waxman will talk through the risks and potential benefits so you can make an informed decision. If you have any concerns after treatment, contact the clinic.
Botulinum toxin injections are prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet round the eyes. Botulinum toxin injections have risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if botulinum toxin injection is right for you. If you have side effects, see your doctor. You will need to pay for your botulinum toxin injection and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your doctor or go to www.medsafe.govt.nz. Botulinum toxin injections lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals.
Dermal Filler, Medical Device Class III to smooth facial wrinkles and folds, correct facial atrophic scars, restore or enhance the lips, or restore facial volume. Dermal filler has risk and benefits. Ask your doctor if dermal filler is right for you. For product information, check with your doctor or from product details with the supplier.
