Anti-wrinkle Treatment in York

A. An anti-wrinkle injection is a prescribed medication injected into targeted muscles to relax them and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Anit-wrinkle treatment is made up of a neurotoxin made by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. Botulinum toxin Type A is a prescribed drug used in low doses in aesthetics. It works by blocking the messages between the nerves and muscles to relax the muscles and prevent them from contracting to cause fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used in sweat glands to prevent sweating.

A. As the treatment is injected it is very normal to initially have some redness and swelling of the skin. This will settle down within a couple of hours. It is also common to get small bruises that develop around the injection sites. These are often small and easily coverable. At Aesthetics by Dr Katherine, York I will ensure I inspect the skin fully before injecting to avoid any obvious capillaries to try and prevent bruising.

When the skin is broken there is always a risk of infection, however the skin will be fully cleaned prior to the treatment to reduce this risk. It is also advised not to touch your face following treatment, or apply creams/make up for the first 24 hours.

As with any medication there is a small risk of hypersensitivities, anaphylaxis, allergic reaction (rare, but can happen).

Following treatment it is common to get mild headaches. These are common and tend to last for up to a week after treatment. They can be treated with simple, over the counter pain killers.
As every person and every muscle is different, some react differently to the treatment. Therefore, some muscles can be affected more or less which can cause asymmetry. We can discuss this at a follow up appointment to see if more treatment is required or if we need to give time for the effects to wear off.

Drooping of the eyebrows or eye lids: Sometimes the toxin can affect the muscles in the eye lids or forehead, causing a droop. This normally requires time to wear off, if the eyelids are affected eye drops can be prescribed. This is why a full anatomical assessment of the face is required prior to treatment which is always carried out at Aesthetics by Dr Katherine, York.

The effect of the toxin is different for everybody and will not be known until you have your first treatment. Sometimes the effect can be too little and so a top up is required, sometimes the effect can be too strong meaning a lower dose is needed with the next treatment.

A. Once injected the Botulinum takes at least 2 weeks to take full effect and works temporarily, normally lasting 12-16 weeks.

A. Once injected the Botulinum takes at least 2 weeks to take full effect and works temporarily, normally lasting 12-16 weeks.

A. On arrival we will discuss your treatment goals and desired outcomes.

We will formulate an individualised treatment plan based on this. You will then need to complete a medical and consent form, if not already done. Please note that anti-wrinkle treatment is effective, but is limited, and so may not be suitable for all patients.

Once the forms are completed and we have a treatment plan in place photos will be taken. These are mandatory photos taken pre-treatment and will be stored confidentially with your medical records.

I will then clean your face and mark out the injection sites before starting your treatment.

A. As with any injection it is very normal to have some small red marks/lumps which should settle in approx. 1 hour. Bruising may occur, but this tends to be minimal and easily covered.

It is advised that you sit up for one hour after your treatment to prevent any unwanted spread of the toxin. It also helps to use the muscles, to speed up the effect of the toxin. We advise against alcohol, make up or hot environments such as showers or gyms for 24 hours after your treatment. This is to reduce risk of infection and bruising.

The treatment takes at least two weeks to see the full effect. During that time, you will see and feel some effects of the treatment. This is often asymmetrical and not the overall desired look as different muscles are affected at different rates.

Once the treatment has settled there is an optional review appointment where we can do any ‘top-ups’ that are required.

A. You CANNOT have anti-wrinkle treatment if:

• You have had a previous allergic reaction to Botulinum Toxin
• You are under 18 Years Old
• You are Pregnant or Breast Feeding
• You have some neurological diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis, ALS, Eaton-Lambert Syndrome
• You are on certain medication eg some antibiotics and some blood thinners
• You are taking blood thinners
• You have an infection including cold sores/skin issues
• You have had Botulinum treatment in the last 3 months
• You are unwell
• You have wrinkles that are unlikely to respond to the treatment.

A. Patients often worry that the treatment will mean they are unable to move their face at all, or have a ‘frozen face’.

At Aesthetics by Dr Katherine, York our goal is to give the refreshing, natural look and avoiding over treatment.

Prior to giving any treatment we will discuss your treatment goals, I will also assess the movement of your face and any lines that are present. I will then adjust the dosages of the anti-wrinkle treatment to achieve your desired outcome.

A. You cannot have anti-wrinkle treatment if you have had a previous allergy to Botulinum Type A or any of it’s excipient eg human albumin, Sodium Chloride.

I will also clean your skin with an antiseptic so it is important you have not had a previous reaction to this. If you have any concerns please contact me to discuss further.

A. Please see price list here.