Beyond forehead lines and frown lines, anti-wrinkle injections can be used in more detailed ways, and the names can be confusing. Here is what the less familiar treatments are, so you know what to ask at your consultation. Timings and results vary from person to person, and some of these uses need particular care, so they are only offered after an assessment with the doctor.
1. Brow lift
Carefully placing injections in the muscles that pull the brow down lets the brow rest in a slightly lifted position. The shape can be adjusted, for example lifting the tail of the brow or creating a gentle arch. It needs a detailed understanding of the anatomy and an assessment of how you move your brows.
Treatment time: about 20 minutes
Results: full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
2. Bunny lines
The lines that appear at the bridge of the nose when you scrunch it up. A small injection on either side can reduce them, although they are seldom eliminated, and some natural movement is usually kept so the face still looks normal.
Treatment time: about 15 minutes
Results: full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically 3 to 6 months
3. Nasal tip
If, and only if, the tip of your nose drops when you smile, treating the muscle responsible can lift it slightly. If the tip is low at rest, this treatment will not help.
Treatment time: about 30 minutes
Results: full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: up to around 6 months
4. Gummy smile
A gummy smile is caused by an overactive muscle that lifts the upper lip too far. Relaxing it can show less gum. There is a risk of lowering the lip too much, which matters for singing or playing a wind instrument. For some patients, a small amount of lip filler is a more natural alternative, and we will talk through both.
Treatment time: about 15 minutes
Results: starts after 3 to 4 days, full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
5. Lip lines (smoker’s lines)
Fine vertical lines around the mouth come with age and repeated movement, and are more common in people who have smoked. Treating this area is delicate. Hyaluronic acid fillers or skin-quality treatments are often more effective for lip rejuvenation, so the right choice depends on you.
Treatment time: about 20 minutes
Results: from 3 to 10 days
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
6. Downturned mouth
Over time the corners of the mouth can turn down, giving a tired or unhappy look at rest. Relaxing the muscle that pulls them down can help, and is sometimes combined with a little filler for support.
Treatment time: about 30 minutes
Results: full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
7. Puckered chin
When the chin dimples and creases as the mouth moves, relaxing the muscles responsible can smooth the area and help the profile look more defined.
Treatment time: about 30 minutes
Results: full effect after around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
8. Masseter (jaw slimming and teeth grinding)
An enlarged masseter muscle can make the lower face look wider or squarer. Treating it can soften the jaw over time, and may also help people who grind their teeth. It is a gradual change, and not everyone will want or need it.
Treatment time: 30 to 40 minutes
Results: gradual, from 10 to 14 days
Lasts: typically 4 to 6 months
9. Platysma bands and the neck
The platysma is a thin muscle in the neck that pulls downwards, and can contribute to visible bands, jowls and horizontal necklace lines. Treating the bands, sometimes along the jawline, can soften them and improve definition of the jaw.
Treatment time: about 45 minutes
Results: around 2 weeks
Lasts: typically around 6 months
10. Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can affect daily life. Injections in the underarms can temporarily reduce it. If this affects you, ask at your consultation whether it is right for you or whether a different medical route is better.
Treatment time: about 45 minutes
Results: from 7 to 14 days
Lasts: typically 6 to 9 months
Any of these needs a proper assessment first. To talk it through, book a free 30-minute consultation with Dr Azoo at the clinic in Ealing, call 07400 325 315 or email contact@drazoo.com.
