Muscle Relaxants for Females
Not so keen on ageing gracefully? A bit fed-up over people commenting on the fact you’re looking tired even after a good sleep? You don’t want to look “plastic” but you would just like to look as good as you can for your age, naturally.
Muscle relaxants maybe part of the solution to helping you look as good as you can. These days the use of anti-wrinkle products is the most common cosmetic procedure in the world.
What causes facial lines?
Wrinkles and facial lines may be induced by sun damage, ageing, and the constant action of strong facial muscles.
A “healthy” tan is anything but. Tanning is a sign of skin damage, evidence that the sun’s ultraviolet rays have penetrated and damaged the skin’s support structure.
Most wrinkles are caused by sun exposure throughout life — and it’s never too late to halt the process.
Smoking has a huge impact on the state of our skin and is another culprit in premature ageing, causing us to look many years older than our actual age.
Do I need Muscle Relaxants or Dermal Fillers?
Deeper lines which are present all the time (static lines), such as the line that runs from the nose down the side of the mouth (nasolabial lines) are best treated with dermal fillers.
Expression (or dynamic) lines occur when we smile, laugh or frown and the delicate muscles underlying the skin contract, producing “laugh lines” or “crow’s feet”, frown lines and horizontal forehead lines. Dynamic lines often contribute to a cross, unfriendly expression.
It is these dynamic wrinkles that may be erased or dramatically reduced with the use of muscle relaxants.
What areas can be treated with Muscle Relaxants?
The most common area of the face that are treated are:
- frown lines that run between the eyebrows
- lines that run horizontally across the forehead
- lines that appear at the sides of the eyes when you smile, commonly known as “crow’s feet”.
We will always tailor the treatment to the individual but on the whole we aim for a “natural” look that is achieved by precise dosing to prevent the generally unwanted “frozen” appearance.
We can also use anti-wrinkle treatments to help elevate the eyebrows as they start to become hooded with age, address bands on the neck and refine the jawline.
How long have muscle relaxants been used?
Muscle relaxants have been used safely and effectively in the medical industry since 1982 now.
Initially they were used to treat eye problems of a muscular nature.
Cosmetically it has been safely used since the late 1990’s.
Today an enormous percentage of the population of all ages, both male and female are treating facial lines with muscle relaxants.
How do Muscle Relaxants Work?
The muscle relaxants work by blocking the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) at the neuro-muscular junction (where a nervous impulse crosses from the nerve to the muscle for it to contract).
This effectively prevents the muscle from working, so it remains relaxed.
Do Muscles Relaxants prevent lines from becoming any worse?
It is reasonable for someone to consider muscle relaxants for treatment and prevention of future wrinkles. If you, for example have the habit of frowning and are starting to notice the subsequent lines, muscle relaxants will help minimize the appearance of these current lines as well as weaken the muscles to prevent the worsening of lines and wrinkles. With regular treatments people often find that deeper lines become softer and much less noticeable.
How do I know if I’m suitable for muscle relaxants?
Time is taken to look at how the muscles of your face work and to the dynamics of the face when different facial expressions are made, to ensure the most natural effect is created through specific injection points. At the time of consultation we will ask you questions as to whether you are pregnant or have any major allergies or diseases. These facts will also help us to determine if you are suitable for a muscle relaxant treatment.
Do muscle relaxant treatments hurt?
The pain for this procedure is minimal and people often compare it to an insect bite. The needles that are used are extremely fine and you won’t feel the small amount of fluid at all. However you can use a topical anaesthetic cream 20minutes or so before the treatment and this way you will feel very little if anything at all.
Will I have any down time after treatment with a muscle relaxant?
There is literally no downtime with these treatments. You may have a little redness at the injection site and in some cases a small bruise. These both tend to be very mild. There are minimal do’s and don’ts following a treatment. The main one being not to apply any heavy pressure to the injected area on that day.
Is there more than one type of muscle relaxant?
Government regulations prohibit us from using trade or brand names these days. So it is difficult to explain the differences between the toxins that are available in Australia in text. Commonly you will hear terms like, toxins or anti-wrinkle treatments. These are all names for muscle relaxant treatments.
We offer 2 different brands – both the most commonly asked for, and another well-known brand that costs less.
If you would like more information on the many types of toxins, how they differ and which one is right for you, call us for more information.
Do the muscle relaxants have other uses?
These treatments can offer a safe and sometimes effective treatment option to help people with :
- migraine and chronic headaches.
- underarm sweating
- tennis elbow
- bruxism, or clenched jaws
- cerebral palsy
- keloid scarring.
- These are to name but a few of its medical uses, with more being added every year.
For a detailed explanation of muscle relaxants, your expectations and any concerns you may have please take advantage of the free consultation offered with our very professional and highly qualified nurse aestheticians.
Our nurses are full time injectors – they have more experience than any other on the Coast, and they are available every day – Monday to Friday.
This is one arena that really sets us apart from the rest. Our nurses take special care to ensure that your experience is as pain free as possible. We ensure they have plenty of time to make you comfortable, they are gentle and caring. Once you have experienced treatments with our nurses, you will never go anywhere else!
Satisfaction rates are very high after muscle relaxant treatments. You will be surprised at the very pleasing results that can be gained from this simple non-surgical procedure that can be done in a lunch break and has no downtime.
A lot of women search the internet for the names of the products, but we are legally not allowed to use the product names as they are S4Drugs and the Australian government has prohibited any company advertising the name of the muscle relaxant used as this is a classification under the guidelines of the TGA (Therapeutic Drug Administration).
We use the two main forms of anti-wrinkle injections, both have been on the market for decades. There are many new forms coming through, but most women prefer the 2 brands we offer.
Many clinics offer only one type of anti-wrinkle treatment – they say it is the more expensive version that was also the original and most well-known, but in fact, they are giving you the cheapest version of anti-wrinkle injection. We give you information on both and let you decide.
What are Muscle Relaxants Injections?
Pretty much everyone understands this these days as we all know someone or many people that have had these treatments.
They are a series of tiny injections through a very fine needle, targeting the body of a muscle that is causing lines or wrinkles on the face that are caused by muscle movement.
What is an Anti-wrinkle Treatment like?
- Your nurse will discuss with you your concerns and they’ll explain what muscle relaxants treatments can do for you.
- They will ask you to contact the muscle (smile/ frown etc) and mark out the bulk of the muscle which is causing the problem.
- They will then do the treatment which involves an extremely small amount of the diluted product injected with a very fine needle into various locations on the face.
- Because the needle used is so fine and only a small amount of fluid is used, discomfort is minimised. Our nurses have ways of distracting your body from noticing the needles.
- A small area of redness may occur after injection, but is easily covered
- You may return to work or your usual activities immediately.
- You will not see the effects immediately; it often is between two to five days that you will start to see the effect.
- Maximal effect is not achieved until almost two weeks.
Scientific Information:
Clostridium botulinum bacteria produce a class of chemical compounds.
The Botulinum Type A is processed and purified to produce a sterile product suitable for specific therapeutic uses.
Once the diluted product is injected it produces a temporary paralysis of the muscle by preventing the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle.
The duration of this muscle paralysis varies but generally lasts between three and six months.
Muscle relaxant treatments have been used to treat certain medical conditions since 1980 (crossed eyes, eyelid spasms and motor disorders of the facial nerve).
It has been used for the treatment of facial wrinkles and neck bands caused by specific muscle groups, since 1987.
Muscle relaxant injections are customised for every patient, depending on his / her particular needs. Muscle relaxant treatments cannot stop the process of ageing.
They can, however, temporarily diminish the look of wrinkles caused by muscle groups.
Recent evidence strongly suggests that the effects of treatment become permanent, with regular usage over a three-year period.
Muscle relaxant treatments may be performed as an isolated procedure, in combination with dermal filler treatments, or as an adjunct to a surgical procedure, particularly Browlift.
Are There Any Problems Associated with Anti-wrinkle Treatments?
- Bruising is the most common problem associated with this treatment but is usually only mild and will resolve in a few days to a week.
- Not everyone gets a bruise however, this is not common.
- Transient weakness of eyelid opening, drooping eyelids or asymmetry of facial expression may occur, but these effects are rare and can be treated with eye drops.
- Muscle relaxant treatments are temporary; they are always completely reversible.
Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) & Using Muscle Relaxants to Minimise This Problem
- Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common phenomenon suffered by many women.
- Few know just how easy this is to treat.
- The same product that we use to relax muscles for cosmetic reasons (to reduce or eliminate facial lines) can be injected very superficially under the skin in a procedure that takes about half an hour.
- The results last on average 7 months!
Areas That Can Be Treated
- The most common areas treated for hyperhidrosis are the underarms.
- However, any area of the body that suffers from excessive sweating can be treated.
- We personally have had a great response at not just underarms, but also scalp sweating.
- Other areas that can be treated are the hands and feet
Q: I’ve heard that anti-wrinkle injections hurt.
A: Experience and time are everything when it comes to the difference between a pain-free experience and a painful anti-wrinkle injection.
Our nurses have been injecting for us at Vie Institute for 22 and 17 years. They have this down pat so that you pretty much won’t feel a thing.
Doctors’ hourly rates are much more expensive than nurses, so they will s get you in and out quickly and don’t take the time to try to make your experience pain free.
Our nurses are given 30 minutes for your treatment- not 5. You are not rushed and they have the time to care!
Q: I’m concerned that everyone will know that I’ve had injectables in my face.
A: In the hands of an experienced injector, your results will be subtle and natural. You will look fresh, not overdone. Experience is everything. Ask how long your injector has been doing this
Q: I’m concerned that once I started having anti-wrinkle injectables, that I will not be able to stop.
A: You can stop having anti-wrinkle treatments any time you like. Nothing sinister will happen.
You will just slowly revert back to how you were before the treatments, though you will always have some improvement on your original lines as the muscles and the lines have been relaxed whilst the injectables were working. haven’t been deepening millions of times each day with muscle movement.
You may never want to stop having treatments though, once you see how relaxed and refreshed you look without lines and wrinkles!
Q: Will my face return to normal after the effects of the Anti-wrinkle treatment wears off?
A: If you just let the treatment wear off, your face and in particular the lines we were targeting will slowly return to their pre-treatment state. It will take quite a few months for your lines to return to the depth they were before the treatment as they will have lessened considerably, if not completely whilst in their resting state.
Q: Can I have Anti-wrinkle in my lips for more volume or fullness?
A: A common question, but the answer is “No!” Anti-wrinkle does not give volume it stops muscle movement which prevents lines. It can be used in very small amounts around the mouth to reduce lip lines, often called ‘’smokers lines’’ (although you don’t have to be a smoker to get them). It can also be used to lift the corners of the mouth, and prevent lower facial jowling.
Q: I have had Anti-wrinkle before, but it didn’t work very well or last very long. Why is that?
A: There are a few reasons for this;
1. The most common reason is that you have been given an insufficient amount of the product.
2. Another common cause is that the person doing your treatment may have very little experience. Many clinics have a high staff turnover and employ and train up staff in these treatments in a couple of weeks.
Our cosmetic injectors have all been working with us at Vie for many years and are the most experienced injectors on the Sunshine Coast! They’re also Allergan (who makes the most popular muscle relaxant) National Champions to boot! See the staff pages off this site.
3. Lastly a small percentage of the population has built up a resistance to Anti-wrinkle, and they get a lesser result as time goes on, or in the worst-case scenario, the product does not work at all for them.
