Visible lines and wrinkles commonly develop as part of the natural ageing process. Anti-wrinkle injections are used to relax specific facial muscles that contribute to these lines. At South Yarra Dermatology, our dermatologists assess your individual presentation and discuss whether this treatment is appropriate for you, including expected effects, risks, and alternatives.
Anti-wrinkle treatment uses a purified protein to temporarily relax specific facial muscles, softening lines like frown creases, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. By blocking the nerve signals that cause muscle contraction, the treatment allows your skin to smooth while maintaining natural expression, with results typically appearing within a few days and lasting three to four months.
Our dermatologists assess your facial anatomy and movement patterns to create a treatment plan suited to your individual features. We focus on natural results that preserve your ability to express yourself fully.
Anti-wrinkle treatment uses a purified protein to temporarily relax specific facial muscles, softening lines like frown creases, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. By blocking the nerve signals that cause muscle contraction, the treatment allows your skin to smooth while maintaining natural expression, with results typically appearing within a few days and lasting three to four months.
Our dermatologists assess your facial anatomy and movement patterns to create a treatment plan suited to your individual features. We focus on natural results that preserve your ability to express yourself fully.
Anti-wrinkle treatment is designed to smooth dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements and prevent them from deepening over time. By temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for these expressions, the treatment softens existing lines and reduces the formation of new ones. This targeted approach works particularly well for expression-related concerns rather than static wrinkles caused by volume loss or sun damage. Anti-wrinkle treatment is effective for:
Anti-wrinkle treatment effectively reduces dynamic wrinkles and prevents deeper lines while maintaining natural facial movement. Before treatment, we assess your concerns and facial patterns to determine the most appropriate approach and dosage for your desired outcome. Most people resume normal activities immediately after.
Regular treatment can prevent dynamic wrinkles from becoming permanently etched into the skin, making it a valuable option for those looking to maintain their desired appearance.
Most treatments take just 10 to 15 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterwards with only minor precautions.
We begin with a consultation to assess your facial structure, discuss your concerns, and develop a personalised treatment plan. We’ll explain which areas will be treated and what results you can realistically expect.
Before treatment, avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for at least a week if medically safe, as these can increase bruising risk. On the day, arrive with a clean face free of makeup in the treatment area, and avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand.
During treatment, we use a very fine needle to deliver precise amounts into targeted facial muscles. Most people describe the sensation as a quick pinch. The procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, you can return to most normal activities immediately, though avoid lying down, vigorous exercise, and rubbing the treated areas for a few hours.
Results begin to appear within a few days, with full effects visible at two weeks. The treatment typically lasts three to four months before muscle activity gradually returns. Regular maintenance treatments help sustain your results over time.
If you’re bothered by expression lines or want to prevent existing wrinkles from deepening, book a consultation at South Yarra Dermatology to discuss whether anti-wrinkle treatment is right for you.
Anti-wrinkle treatments use a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the facial muscles responsible for creating expression lines. When injected into specific muscles, the protein blocks nerve signals that cause contraction, allowing the overlying skin to smooth out. This process softens existing wrinkles and helps prevent them from deepening with continued use.
The treatment is most effective on dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead creases, and crow’s feet. Your facial expressions remain natural because only the targeted muscles are affected, while surrounding muscles continue to move normally.
Results from anti-wrinkle treatment typically last between three to four months, though this can vary depending on individual factors such as your metabolism, muscle strength, and the areas treated. Some people notice effects beginning to wear off slightly earlier, while others may find results last a bit longer, particularly after several treatment sessions.
Your body naturally breaks down the protein, gradually returning muscle activity to normal. To maintain your results, we recommend scheduling follow-up treatments before the effects completely fade, which helps prevent lines from returning to their pre-treatment depth.
You’ll begin to notice improvements within three to seven days after treatment, with results continuing to develop over the following two weeks. The protein needs time to take effect and relax the targeted muscles, which is why changes appear gradually rather than immediately. Most people see their full results around the two-week mark.
This gradual onset actually contributes to a more natural appearance, as the changes are subtle enough that others typically notice you looking refreshed rather than obviously treated. We usually schedule a review appointment around two weeks after your initial treatment to assess your results and make any adjustments if needed.
Most people describe the sensation as a quick pinch or mild pressure, and the treatment is generally well tolerated without numbing. We use very fine needles and inject small amounts of product, which minimises discomfort. The entire procedure typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and any slight discomfort is brief.
If you’re particularly concerned about sensitivity, we can apply a topical numbing cream before treatment, though many patients find this unnecessary. Some areas of the face may be slightly more sensitive than others, but your dermatologist will work efficiently to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
You can resume most normal activities immediately after your treatment, though we recommend a few simple precautions for the first four to six hours. Avoid lying down flat, as this could potentially cause the protein to migrate from the treated areas. We also suggest postponing vigorous exercise, hot yoga, saunas, or facial massages for the remainder of the day, as increased blood flow and pressure to the face may affect how the product settles.
You can apply makeup gently if needed, but avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas. Most people schedule their appointments during lunch breaks or before social engagements without any issues, as there’s typically no significant visible evidence of treatment after the first hour or two.
Anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers address different types of ageing concerns through different mechanisms. Anti-wrinkle treatments relax muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions, while dermal fillers add volume to replace lost fullness or fill static lines and folds.
Think of anti-wrinkle treatment as preventing lines from forming with movement, whereas fillers restore volume that has diminished over time. The two treatments often complement each other, with anti-wrinkle treatments addressing the upper face (foreheads, frown lines, and crow’s feet) and fillers typically used in the mid to lower face (cheeks, nasolabial folds, and lips). Your dermatologist can help you understand which approach, or combination of approaches, would best address your specific concerns.
Most people schedule maintenance treatments every three to four months to sustain their results, though the exact timing varies based on individual factors. Some patients find they can extend the interval between treatments slightly after several sessions, as regular use may have a cumulative effect on muscle activity. Others prefer to come in slightly more frequently to prevent any return of lines.
The key is finding a schedule that maintains the results you’re happy with. Your dermatologist will work with you to determine the ideal timing for your follow-up treatments based on how your individual muscles respond and how quickly you notice effects beginning to fade.
