Many people are aware of “Botox” as a vague concept without really knowing what it means. Botox®is actually a long-established prescribed muscle relaxant medication which was originally used for treating severe muscles spasms but is now often used in the treatment of wrinkles such as frown lines between the eyes. (There is more than one brand but this first and most well-known brand of Botox® seems to have given its name to wrinkle-relaxers as a group, in the same way as brands like Biro and Hoover.)
Cosmetic dermal fillers are gels that are injected into the face to soften more permanent deep lines and add volume and they can also be used to plump up the lips.
Unfortunately when these treatments first became available they were often overused, resulting in a frozen look . But who wants a face that appears almost free of lines, shiny, and is much less expressive of emotion? At its worst, this look included the “trout pout” that you still see in pictures of badly treated celebrities.
These two types of anti-wrinkle treatments can be used singly or in careful combination to make your face look fresher, less tired and more relaxed.
My aim is always to maintain a very natural appearance so your face will show a subtle improvement, yet still be animated and expressive. I don’t want people to spot that you’ve had treatment. I just want them to think that you look better.
Some people are worried that by having anti-wrinkle treatment their face will not show their personality. Other people feel that their lines express what has happened to them during their life and want to keep them. I do think these views are very valid, but for myself, I’m happy to keep the wisdom but lose the wrinkles! A few years ago I realised that I appeared to be frowning almost all the time, and I think a lot of this comes from looking at computers, or doing a lot of reading. Since I’ve been having wrinkle-relaxing injections myself, I feel my face reflects of my state of mind more truly, because now my frown lines are so much less and Ionly look grumpy when I really am! An old friend said they were frightened that they wouldn’t look like themselves anymore, so I just asked them “Don’t I look like myself anymore?” Because I’ve been having wrinkle-relaxing injections for many years now, and none of my friends realised till I told them!
You’d be surprised how many men have anti-wrinkle treatments. In this day and age both men and women are much more concerned about looking after themselves, and you could spend a fortune on face creams, most of which don’t have any obvious benefits. Cosmetic injectables such as Botox® or Juvederm may seem expensive but if you look at the effects you can get and how long they last, I think they’re good value for money. All Australians are well aware of the need for sun protection, but don’t forget to use a good moisturiser as well.
I think it is very important to take time to understand people and what it is about their face that they may feel unhappy with, or what they particularly want to improve. I like to explain what can be achieved with each type of treatment, and ensure that an individual treatment plan is offered, which may include prescription muscle relaxants, or dermal fillers or a combination of both. Above all I want my clients to feel very satisfied with the results of any treatments they choose.
if you are interested in a discussion about any of these treatments please click here
Dr Nancy Burge 