What is are wrinkle treatments?
It is a chicken and egg situation. Does worry cause frown lines or do the frown lines cause you to worry? Either way if you find yourself faced with deeper and broadening lines between the eye brows you are not alone. Luckily science and medicine have been working hard over the years to provide a solution which is both effective and safe. Wrinkle treatment medication was discovered in 1820 in a small town in Germany. (We all know it’s name but as we do not want to breech advertising standards we are not allowed to mention it as it is a prescription medication). It has been used in medical treatment for muscle spasticity and cosmetics for many years. However, it was not until 2002 when the FDA in the USA first approved a license to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe glabella (frown) lines.
There are severn different types of wrinkle treatment product (type A-G). It is type A that is used in cosmetic and medical treatment.
How do wrinkle treatments work on frown lines and wrinkles?
Mini injections into the muscle under wrinkles on the skin stops the muscles from working. The medication blocks the nerve to muscle signal by stopping the nerve transmitter (neurotransmitter) substance called acetylcholine from communicating across the nerve muscle junction.
There are several different theories covering how the nerve signals start up again. I believe the real physiology lies between the two. The nerve is constantly growing and mending, once a small new nerve grows and is big enough it will produce acetylecholine again, this will trigger the nerve muscle communication and the muscle to contract and skin to move again. The body also develops a protease enzyme which unlocks the medication from the reception, the nerve is then active and able to contract the muscle as it used to.
When the the medication is no longer able to control the nerve muscle communication and contraction starts again you will notice the skin lying over the muscles will once again start to move. With movement the skin is drawn together and further lines and wrinkles will eventually form.
This treatment can be repeated every 3-6 months when the muscle movement returns. Alternatively longer periods between treatments can be taken.
How it works to block the nerve muscle junction:
How common is treatment and what products should be used?
Injections are the most common cosmetic procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 6.3million procedures were carried out in the USA in 2013. Wrinkle treatments are marketed under the brand names from the premium botulinum toxin products available and licensed for use in the UK.
Facial areas of injections of medication help reduce lines and wrinkles in the upper face include. Eye wrinkles, Eyebrow lift, Forehead lines, Frown lines, Smile lift, Gummy smile, Dimples, Square jaw, jaw line and neck lines
What other treatments are the same medications used for?
Wrinkle medication is used in many other medical areas, these include
- Ophthalmology (blepharospasm and strabismus).
- Upper motor neurone syndrome such as cerebral palsy. Allowing improved motion and physiotherapy and exercise.
- Sweating treatment for hyperhidrosis in the underarm area
- Cervical dystonia
- Chronic Migraine
- Depression
Dr Anna Hemming provides wrinkle reducing injections, dermal filler treatments as well as skin restoration advice and products to her clients across London and the UK from Thames Skin Clinic, Twickenham. If you would like to book an appointment contact us here