Botox injections
Botox is a highly purified preparation botulinum protein, which prevents muscle contraction. Preventing contraction of facial muscles smoothes wrinkles. Botox is used on areas of the face such as frown lines on the forehead, frown lines between the eyes and crows feet around the eyes that are caused by the action of underlying tiny facial muscles. Once the muscle causing the wrinkles is relaxed, the lines soon become less pronounced.
After treatment the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract normally. Botox does not produce numbness.
The effects last for three to six months. The results are usually evident about three days. If you have a repeat treatment, the results generally last longer than the first time. The more treatments you have, the longer the effects of subsequent injections.
Dermal fillers
These include products such as collagen and Restylane™ and are very commonly used to improve subtle signs of ageing. In particular, skin lines that appear with advancing age can be significantly improved with the use of fillers.
Where can I have dermal fillers?
- Smile lines: the lines running from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth
- Frown lines: the area between the eyebrows
- Smoker's lines: the vertical lines across the top lip
- Marionette lines: the lines at the corners of the mouth
- Worry lines: the lines across the forehead
- Lips: to fill out and better define the line of your lips
How do dermal fillers work?
The implant material is injected just under the skin to physically elevate depressions such as scars or lines associated with ageing. It is a simple, non-surgical procedure that can be completed within 30 minutes, depending on your particular needs.
Can I return to work immediately?
Straight after treatment the skin over the treated area may look slightly raised and a little reddened. The area can be covered with oil-free makeup within 20 minutes of injection.
How long do fillers last?
Generally, initial treatment will last four to six months. To maintain the correction achieved from your initial treatment you may choose to have follow-up treatments. The length of time between follow-up treatments varies from person to person. You can arrange your follow-up treatment when you notice your lines returning.
How much will it cost?
Prices vary depending on your needs, but generally begin around $300 for a limited area such as frown lines. More extensive injections, such as augmentation of the upper and lower lips will start at $600.
Lip enhancement
The lips are perhaps the most sensuous of the facial features. Some people ask for improved definition of the lip border, while others prefer to have a fuller, more luscious lip. Either way, the lip gets more definition and balance. The most common method of lip enhancement is the injection of collagen or the newer hyaluronic acid (Hylagenesis™ and Restylane™). The procedure is performed in the office on a walk in, walk out basis. The lip is first anaesthetised and the filler is injected. Both products give excellent results and because they can be done in the office, there is no downtime and you can return to work or leisure right away.
The downside of lip injections is the fact that they offer only temporary solutions. The fullness slowly decreases over a period of three to six months as the injection is absorbed by the body. Regular "top-up" injections are therefore required two to three times a year.
Injections of longer-lasting preparations, such as Aquamid™ can also be done but care needs to be taken since the injections contain material that remains permanently within the lip tissues and therefore has the potential to show through the tissues of the lip if the injection is not delivered deeply enough. These injections are about two to four times the price of the standard injections.
Dr Mark Kohout FRACS
Plastic Surgeon
Ph: 1300 551 151
www.drmarkkohout.com.au.
info@drmarkkohout.com.au
Leichhardt — Bondi Junction — Orange NSW
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