Anti-wrinkle injections, such as Botox and Dysport, are non-invasive cosmetic treatments that improve the appearance of wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle movement. Common treatment areas include the frown lines, forehead, and around the eyes.

The injections work by blocking the nerve signals to the targeted muscles, causing them to relax and preventing them from contracting.

Yes, anti-wrinkle injections are generally safe when performed by a qualified professional. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as slight bruising or swelling at the injection site.

When performed by a skilled practitioner, anti-wrinkle injections should create subtle, natural-looking results. The goal is to smooth out wrinkles without compromising your ability to express yourself.

While anti-wrinkle injections don’t stop the natural aging process, they can help prevent new wrinkles from forming by reducing muscle movement in the treated areas. Starting treatment early can help slow down the visible signs of aging.

Yes, the following conditions may prevent you from having cosmetic injectables:

• Previous allergic reaction to Botulinum Toxin or egg albumin
• Active infection or inflammation at the injection site
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (treatment can only be done 6 weeks after cessation)
• Neuromuscular disorders such as Myasthenia Gravis, ALS, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Recent COVID vaccine or COVID infection (2–3 week waiting period recommended)
• Recent vaccinations within two weeks before or after botulinum toxin treatment

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Botox® is a prescription medicine containing 100 units of Clostridium Botulinum Type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of severe frown lines and associated “crow’s feet” around the eyes. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Talk to your specialists about the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. Cautions: people with neuro-muscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, pregnancy and lactation.

Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning sensation or redness at injection site, temporary local muscle weakness including eyelid droop, decreased sensation and nausea.

If you have side effects or concerns, talk to your doctor. A charge applies. Allergan Pharmaceutical, Auckland.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Dysport® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. Dysport® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you. If you have side effects see your doctor. You will need to pay for Dysport, and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz.

Dysport lasts about 4-6 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary.

Contains 500 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin. Galderma (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

Restylane® is a gel containing hyaluronic acid and lidocaine that is injected by a healthcare professional into or below the skin to smooth facial wrinkles and enhance lips by restoring volume and fullness. Restylane is a Class III medical device and has risks and benefits. Restylane® treatment may result in some redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, itching and/or bruising which may last a few days. Inflammatory reactions can begin up to two to four weeks after treatment in rare cases. See your healthcare professional if any side effects concern you. Exposure to excessive sunlight or extreme cold should be avoided until redness or swelling has resolved. Restylane® should not be used in an area where there is a nonresorbable implant or in irritated or infected skin, Restylane® should not be used in people taking blood thinning medicines or who have an allergy to hyaluronic acid, lidocaine or other local anaesthetics. Caution if you take medicines that prolong bleeding time. Treatment lasts 12-24 months. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN. Galderma, Auckland. Distributed by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Juvederm: Juvederm Ultra™ & Juvederm Ultra Plus™ are medical devices Class III for the filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. Contains 24mg/mL cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Juvederm has risks and benefits. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler, people with autoimmune disease, or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. People on blood thinning medicines.

Possible side effects: injection site inflammatory reactions (redness/swelling, itching/pain on pressure) induration or nodules; discolouration; weak filling effect. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Product and treatment costs will apply.

Note: Juvederm treatment lasts about 12-24 months.

For product information check with your doctor or product information at Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Teyosal: TEOSYAL RHA® 1, TEOSYAL RHA® 2, TEOSYAL RHA® 3, TEOSYAL RHA® 4, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE REDENSITY 1, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE REDENSITY 2, TEOSYAL PURESENSE KISS®, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE GLOBAL ACTION, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE DEEP LINES, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE ULTIMATE and TEOSYAL® PURESENSE ULTRA DEEP TEOSYAL KISS®, RHA KISS®, TEOSYAL® MESO, TEOSYAL® GLOBAL ACTION, TEOSYAL® DEEP LINES, TEOSYAL® ULTIMATE and TEOSYAL® ULTRA DEEP are trademarks of the firm TEOXANE SA. These products are gel that contains hyaluronic acid, and 0.3% by weight of lidocaine hydrochloride. They are class III medical devices. Caution for people on blood thinning medicines.

Local side effects: inflammatory reactions (redness, oedema, pain at the point of injection), haematomas, itching, temporary loss of sensitivity around the injected area, disorders of pigmentation in skin and hair, abscesses, indurations, nodules (possibly granulomas).

General manifestations: immediate hypersensitivity up to anaphylactic shock, migration of the implant. Rare but serious adverse events associated with the intravascular injection of soft tissue fillers in the face have been reported and include temporary or permanent vision impairment or blindness, skin necrosis and stroke.

Lasts 9 -12 months.

Please consult your doctor pharmacist for more information. Please refer to instructions for use, local distributor. Healthcare Logistics, Auckland.