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The Truth About Wrinkle Relaxing

If you're a toxin virgin, chances are you’re a a tad wary, slightly nervous and have some worries that are preventing you booking it right now, even though you really want to!

Here we address some of those niggles that are holding you back and hopefully reassure you that non-surgical aesthetic treatments aren't something to be feared.

To find a practitioner to book a consultation for the treatment of lines and wrinkles search here

Before we get in to it, don’t forget, it’s crucial that you have a consultation with your practitioner before having any treatment for the first time. The clinics on Glowday will always insist on this and it’s a normal part of their process - no tox without talk! You’ll always be given the opportunity to go away and think about it before you decide to go ahead.

It's also worth remembering that Botox is just one brand of the stuff that makes your lines and wrinkles vanish, yet it has become synonymous with the treatment. However, different clinics may use different brands and because it's illegal to advertise it, you'll see it referred to as 'treatments for lines and wrinkles' or 'wrinkle relaxing'.

Jess Halliley at Your Beauty Doctor

If I have it my face will look frozen.

No. Not if you go to someone who knows what they’re doing! When it’s injected correctly, by a medical pro, the results will be fresh, natural and subtle.

Everyone who has anti-wrinkle treatments looks fake.

Nope. Everyone who chooses an inexperienced and poorly qualified person to give them tox looks fake. Also, don’t forget that some people LIKE and choose the ‘fake’ look, they want to look slightly startled, frozen and alien like. However, the truth is that millions of women have wrinkle relaxing injections and you wouldn’t even know because they just look like themselves - but flipping great!

Once I start, that’s it, I won’t be able to ever stop.

You might not want to stop when you feel so fantastic because you’re looking so peppy! But of course you can stop. You may find there’s a long-lasting improvement from your treatments, without needing more but really, after 3-6 months, your lines and wrinkles will just return to how they were before. You aren’t on some slippery slope to regular injections, unless you want to have regular injections. It’s the same as having your hair coloured, if you stop, your hair just returns to its natural state. But was that a reason to never do it in the first place…?

I’m worried it will go wrong.

Anti-wrinkle injections are a medical procedure which has made its way into the beauty world thanks to a disgraceful lack of regulation. Any medical procedure comes with risks, which is why you should always choose a medically-qualified aesthetics practitioner. Most complications from Botulinum Toxin come from beauticians and lay-people injecting willy-nilly, without any real understanding of the human body and how to deal with complications OR they are using unlicensed toxins that have been imported illegally. We’ll never say anti-wrinkle treatments are risk-free, but when you choose a medical pro, the risks are reduced and can be managed by your practitioner.

I’ll be judged if I have injectables.

Find some new friends! No, seriously, of course there are people who are philosophically opposed to ‘messing with your face’ but if you’re not and it makes you feel better about yourself, then do not let other people’s views hold you back. You don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to (we rather like it when people do!) and quite honestly, if you go to someone who is skilled and great at what they do, nobody else will even notice -you’ll notice, you’ll feel good - and that’s all that matters!

Kelsey Bailey at KB Aesthetics

Injectables are really expensive.

Everything is relative. If you’re struggling financially, then of course, injectable treatments aren't going to be a priority for you. If you have more disposable income and spend a lot on lotions and potions to help you look good, then wrinkle-relaxing or dermal filler may be more affordable! Of course, non-surgical aesthetics isn’t just about injectables. Lots of people seek the help of aesthetic clinics to help with skin problems, such as acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. Sometimes these issues are holding a person back from life. They are destroying their confidence, preventing them from socialising and even working. So what becomes a priority will differ from person to person.

Does it hurt though?

Not if it’s done by a pro! The needles that are used are tiny and medically-qualified aesthetic practitioners are highly skilled with a needle, you will hardly notice it! It may feel slightly uncomfortable, but if you’ve ever had your eyebrows threaded, it’s a walk in the park. Think a small pinch, or mosquito bite!

Anyone can inject Botulinum Toxin.

Yep, sadly they can. Botulinum toxin itself is a prescription-only product (which is why you never see adverts for it) and a prescriber MUST be present to sign-off on you having it. But, anyone can inject it. There are no laws, rules or regulations, which is bonkers! Imagine letting anyone inject your face! Don’t be fooled, either, by people who say they are trained and qualified. They may well have completed a half-day course and believe they are competent, but they're never going to be as safe as a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Do not be lured by deals either, that’s a huge red flag! It’s likely they have bought dodgy Botox on eBay and there will be no prescriber present. Don’t risk it, find someone reputable here

Are wrinkle relaxers and fillers the same?

No, they’re completely different products and work in entirely different ways. Read more here. Put simply, Botulinum Toxin is a muscle relaxant used to soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as to prevent wrinkles from forming. Dermal fillers are used to build up an area and restore volume (think of hollow eye bags) or reshape a feature like your chin or nose.

Does Botox build up in the body over time?

No, Botulinum toxin is metabilised by the body and it's effects wear off over time. It tends to last for 3-6 months so it’s not a permanent fix.

It's only for women over 40.

Hmmm, no. More and more men are having wrinkle relaxing treatments for a start, and many people in their late 20s and 30s use these treatments as a preventative measure. There are some studies that suggest using Botulinum Toxin when you’re young may slow down your normal ageing process but most medically-qualified practitioners wouldn’t treat a 22 year old with no resting lines on their face! Certainly, the ageing process becomes far more noticeable when you hit 40, and it is the typical age that people decide to give themselves a little glow up!

The guys are getting in on the Botox action now! From Anna Lee at Exthetics

How many areas do I need?

Impossible to answer! Anti-wrinkle injections are commonly injected into three main sites – forehead lines, crow’s feet lines around the eyes and the vertical ’11’ frown lines between the eyebrows. But this doesn’t mean booking 3 areas will get you all 3, your forehead might need 3 areas alone depending on where your lines are. See? It’s tricky isn’t it. This is why you need a consultation. A consultation is always your first step, always. Let the practitioner assess your face and advise you on how many areas you might consider getting treated. At no point should you feel obliged to go ahead with any treatment.

How many units will be used?

Leave it to your practitioner to determine! This is why you go to a pro! We don’t believe you need to get involved with this, but if you’re interested Botulinum Toxin comes in dosages between 50 and 100 units per vial. Different clinics will use different amounts, depending on what they’re treating. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox suggests a dosage of 4 units each in five sites on the forehead, totalling 20 units, but your injector will know what to do and will adjust the dose according to your individual anatomy.

They'll ask you to make a variety of facial expressions, mark up any injection points and then administer the medicine in the dosage and positions appropriate to you.

If you would like to book a consultation to find out if wrinkle relaxing treatments are right for you, choose from hundreds of medically-qualified aesthetics practitioners on Glowday, right here.

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