A E C Aesthetics
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A E C Aesthetics
Anti-wrinkle (‘Botox®’) injections
Since their introduction four decades ago, anti-wrinkle injection treatments have become very popular – not only to achieve various cosmetic results, but also to treat excessive sweating; teeth-grinding; jaw-clenching; and migraine.
When administered by a trained practitioner, anti-wrinkle injections for cosmetic purposes are a safe, simple and effective way to prevent, reduce and soften unwanted facial lines and deep wrinkles. Treatment involves injecting the specific facial muscles that cause worry lines, crow’s feet and frown lines, with a medically approved neurotoxin. The result is a softer, younger and more rejuvenated appearance.
There is no difference between Botox® and anti-wrinkle injections! Botox® is simply the trade or brand name for botulinum toxin, which is one of many prescription medication brands used for anti-wrinkle injections.
Botox® is an injectable prescription-only product made from botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Although this is the same toxin that causes botulism (a life-threatening form of food poisoning), its effects vary according to the amount and type of exposure.
There are several different types of botulinum toxin that are available for use. The most common types of Botulinum toxin in UK for commercial use are Type A toxin, which includes:
- Botox (Vistabel);
- Dysport (Azzalure);
- Xeomin (Bocouture)
Bocouture is the brand I currently use most frequently.
The needle used to administer anti-wrinkle injections is extremely small, so the vast majority of people feel nothing more than a pin prick or pinch.
Immediately following your injections, you may feel slight residual stinging from the injection. You may also notice a small bump at the injection site, a bit like an insect bite. However, this is totally normal, and these bumps will fade quickly as the product disperses into the muscle.
It is important to understand that no cosmetic treatment is without some risk. However, the risks of anti-wrinkle injections are minimal, if done by a trained and suitably qualified practitioner. As a registered medical professional and qualified aesthetic practitioner, all procedures carried out by AEC Aesthetics are done under strict aseptic conditions, and every precaution is taken to minimise any risk. All side effects and potential risks associated with anti-wrinkle injections will be discussed in full during the consultation process.
Common side effects are those associated with any form of injection of the skin, for example:
- Discomfort at injection sites
- Mild swelling in the area of treatment
- Slight redness and small visible injection marks
- Mild bruising
- Itching and/or mild irritation
If experienced, these effects will generally subside within a few days to a week or so, and can be relieved with basic home management methods - for example: Paracetamol may be taken for pain and discomfort, apply a cold compress to minimise any swelling, Arnica cream applied regularly can effectively reduce any bruising, and OTC anti-histamines can relieve any itching or irritation. (Please ensure to check with a Pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure about taking any medications).
Some adverse effects of anti-wrinkle injections can occur as a result of poor product placement or lack of knowledge of facial anatomy:
- A ‘frozen’ look – inability to move the muscles in your face
- Facial asymmetry – your facial features may appear raised or dropped on one side only
- Temporary weakness in your face – for example, your eyelids or eyebrows may droop if the product moves into these areas – known as ‘brow ptosis’
- Elevation of the outer parts of your eyebrows – known as ‘Spock brow’
Other less common risks include:
- Infection
- Hypersensitivity reactions – ranging from mild itching, rash etc, to severe allergic reaction and/or anaphylaxis
- Very rarely, serious problems can occur – such as such as blurred or double vision if the area around the eyes is treated, or breathing difficulties if the neck area is injected.
If at any point you are concerned about any side effects that you may experience, please don’t hesitate to contact your practitioner.
Each individual is different, but for most clients, it takes about three to ten days for anti-wrinkle injection treatments to reach full effect, and the effect peaks at about six weeks.
It is important to note, that whilst anti-wrinkle injection treatments are used to restore and rejuvenate, very deep or severe static creases/lines (those that don’t disappear when your face is at rest) may only be smoothed and softened, rather than completely erased. For this reason, anti-wrinkle injections are used as a preventative treatment, as well as a restorative treatment. This means that many clients start having anti-wrinkle injections as young as in their early 20’s, with the view to prevent lines and creases developing. In these cases, the effect will obviously be more subtle, and you may not see a significant difference in your facial appearance.
Anti-wrinkle injections are not permanent. On average, the treatment lasts around 3-4 months, but this is different for each individual. In some clients, results can last up to 6 months, but for others, it may wear off in as little as 2 months. This is dependent on how each client’s body breaks down the product, but can also be affected by age, sex, and a number of lifestyle factors including:
- Diet
- Smoking & alcohol consumption
- Exercise
- Skin care regime
- Stress levels
- Sun exposure
Remember – the best thing we can do to prevent or reduce the signs of ageing is to look after ourselves, and this is no different when it comes to achieving longer-lasting results of anti-wrinkle injection treatments.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/botox-injections/
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/make-fillers-botox-last-longer
The substance used for Anti-wrinkle injection treatments is a form of toxin that works by temporarily paralysing the injected muscle. Therefore, these treatments cannot simply be reversed – but the effects will gradually wear off over the course of several months.
A E C Aesthetics
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are non-surgical injectable treatments that offer a safer and more cost-effective alternative to cosmetic surgery. Treatment plans can be tailored to the individual, and results can be seen instantly, with only minimal ‘recovery’ time before the final effect is achieved.
As we age, the collagen and fats within our skin that act as natural ‘building blocks’, gradually deplete and cause the skin to appear loose and saggy, allowing fine lines and wrinkles to appear. Dermal fillers can be injected into different layers of the skin – depending on the treatment area and clients’ needs – helping to ‘rebuild’ and restore lost volume, and therefore temporarily creating a more youthful appearance.
The most commonly used dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which is a compound that aids in the production of collagen and elastin. It is a naturally occurring substance found in body tissue, and therefore is broken down and reabsorbed into the body over time. In each individual, this process will occur over varying lengths of time, but for most people, the effect will last around 6-9 months.
The most commonly treated areas are:
- Lips;
- Nasolabial lines or folds;
- Marionette lines;
- Cheeks;
- Deep forehead wrinkles, frown and crow’s feet can be treated using dermal fillers, however many patients with fine wrinkles are best treated using anti-wrinkle injections
All clients are offered the option of applying a local topical anaesthetic cream 10-15 minutes before treatment, which helps to reduce the initial discomfort. All the dermal filler products I use also contain lidocaine which is a fast-acting anaesthetic, and makes the injections tolerable for the vast majority of clients.
It is important to understand that no cosmetic treatment is without some risk. However, the risks Dermal Fillers are minimal, if done by a trained and suitably qualified practitioner. As a registered medical professional and qualified aesthetic practitioner, all procedures carried out by AEC Aesthetics are done under strict aseptic conditions, and every precaution is taken to minimise any risk. All side effects and potential risks associated with Dermal Filler treatments will be discussed in full during the consultation process.
Most commonly, clients may experience discomfort, redness, bruising, swelling, or itching at the injection site. Generally, this will subside within a week or so, and can be relieved with basic pain relief and/or a cool compress.
Some less common risk that can occur include:
- Haematoma (a pool of clotted blood under the surface of the skin)
- Lumps / masses
- Delayed onset nodules – can appear weeks or months after treatment
- Infection / Inflammation
- Herpes simplex (cold sores)
- Acute or chronic reactions
- Migration
- Vascular occlusion – very rare
The majority of these presentations can be managed with basic home-care treatment and advice.
There are multiple factors that may determine how long the effect of dermal fillers will last. As well as individual variations in age/metabolism/genetics etc, lifestyle factors such as; diet, exercise, skin damage and sun exposure, can also affect the longevity of dermal fillers.
Remember that we are all different! And a client’s experience of - and satisfaction with - dermal filler treatments can vary significantly.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/make-fillers-botox-last-longer
https://eptq.co.uk/2021/05/07/how-to-make-dermal-fillers-last-longer/
Dermal fillers can be dissolved using a product called hyaluronidase. Most commonly people will have this procedure after experiencing adverse effects, or are dissatisfied with a treatment outcome. This procedure involves multiple injections of hyaluronidase into the affected area, and can be quite painful. If this option is deemed necessary and/or appropriate, we can discuss this in full during an appointment.
A E C Aesthetics
Skin Boosters
Skin Boosters are injectable skin treatments that are celebrated for their ability to create radiant-looking skin from the inside out. Essentially, skin boosters are intended to rejuvenate dehydrated skin, and can be thought of as a ‘drink for the skin’.
Despite all skin boosters containing different ingredients, the primary ingredient is often Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – hailed in the skincare industry for its efficacy in maintaining hydration levels within the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that works to help retain moisture that dry complexions crave. This hero substance helps to give the skin a glow from within and functions to provide skin-deep moisture. Injecting skin boosters directly into the dermis helps to hydrate the deeper tissues of the skin for a plump and naturally dewy look. As Hyaluronic Acid (HA) molecules can attract up to 1,000 times their weight in water, they’re particularly effective at hydrating the skin and the perfect primary ingredient for a skin booster treatment.
However, unlike other injectables developed with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) such as dermal fillers, skin boosters are intended to restore hydration and moisture rather than volum
With any injection, whether it be for aesthetics purposes or other, patients often express concern for pain, bruising, swelling, and other post-treatment side effects. All clients are offered the option of applying a local topical anaesthetic cream 10-15 minutes before treatment, which helps to reduce any initial discomfort.
However, with the BAP technique, there is a much more limited risk of bruising and less common occurrences of injection site redness and irritation. In fact, a clinical study of 60 patients found that the BAP technique showed a very high satisfaction rating for patients and practitioners alike.
As a registered medical professional and qualified aesthetic practitioner, all procedures that are carried out by AEC Aesthetics, are done so under strict aseptic conditions, and every precaution is taken to minimise any risk. All side effects and potential risks associated with Skin Booster treatments will be discussed in full during the consultation process.
It is important to understand that no cosmetic treatment is without some risk. However, because of the way that Skin Booster injections are administered, the risks/complications are very minimal. Common side effects are those associated with any form of injection of the skin, for example:
- Mild swelling in the area of treatment
- Slight redness and small visible injection marks
- Mild bruising
- Itching and/or mild irritation
If experienced, these effects will generally subside within a few days to a week or so, and can be relieved with basic home management methods - for example: Paracetamol may be taken for pain and discomfort, apply a cold compress to minimise any swelling, Arnica cream applied regularly can effectively reduce any bruising, and OTC anti-histamines can relieve any itching or irritation. (Please ensure to check with a Pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure about taking any medications).
If at any point you are concerned about any side effects that you may experience, please don’t hesitate to contact your practitioner.
Most skin boosting treatment are administered via a technique called The BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) technique. This refers to the preferred injection pattern / protocol used by most practitioners when administering Skin Booster treatments.
With the BAP protocol, five strategic points of the face are chosen at either side to deliver intradermal injections of the Skin Booster. This allows the Hyaluronic Acid (HA) to be diffused most evenly and effectively throughout the skin, helping to hydrate the dermis – further aiding in skin texture and skin laxity.
A E C Aesthetics
Lumi Eyes
high-quality injectable treatment specifically targeting the delicate eye area. It creates a similar effect to that achieved with tear trough fillers, but with significantly less side effects or risk.
- Repair and rejuvenation of damaged tissue;
- Deep hydration of the under-eye area;
- Reduced signs of fatigue;
- Improved appearance of dark shadows;
- Smoothed appearance of fine lines and wrinkles;
- Tightened and strengthened skin;
- Lightening and brightening effect;
- Revitalisation of the tear ducts;
- Reduced pigmentation.
The main active ingredient in ‘Lumi Eyes’ is Polynucleotide PDRN (obtained from purified salmon milk DNA), which is a low molecular weight complex that affects the repair of cells and damaged tissues. It’s mechanism of action is to stimulate the production of collagen, helping to restore DNA chains and increase the production of the skin’s own elastin.
‘Lumi Eyes’ treatment is a form of mesotherapy, so the product is injected using a syringe with a very small (4mm) needle. Most people report minimal discomfort throughout the procedure, however as it is a delicate area to treat, topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment.
It is important to understand that no cosmetic treatment is without some risk. However, because of the way that ‘Lumi Eyes’ injections are administered, the risks/complications are very minimal. Common side effects are those associated with any form of injection of the skin, for example:
- Mild swelling in the area of treatment
- Slight redness and small visible injection marks
- Mild bruising
- Itching and/or mild irritation
If experienced, these effects will generally subside within a few days to a week or so, and can be relieved with basic home management methods - for example: Paracetamol may be taken for pain and discomfort, apply a cold compress to minimise any swelling, Arnica cream applied regularly can effectively reduce any bruising, and OTC anti-histamines can relieve any itching or irritation. (Please ensure to check with a Pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure about taking any medications).
If at any point you are concerned about any side effects that you may experience, please don’t hesitate to contact your practitioner.
With both skin boosters and ‘Lumi Eyes’, a good effect can be achieved after just one treatment. For optimum results, it is recommended to perform a series of 3 treatments with an interval of 4 weeks and repeat the treatment twice a year.