Yes. There are two types of wrinkles: dynamic and static. The dynamic wrinkles are due to contractions of specific facial expression muscles giving rise to forehead lines, frown lines, crow feet, lip lines and bunny lines. The treatment for these types of wrinkles is injectable muscle relaxants. When lines and folds occur at rest they are static wrinkles such as nasolabial folds, tear troughs, mouth frown, marionette lines, vertical lip lines and neck banding. The treatment options are injectable fillers, skin resurfacing and surgical lifting (e.g. Facelift). With loss of skin elasticity there is atrophy or thinning of structures such as the lips. The dermal fillers can also be utilised to increase volume and definition of the lips (lip enhancement).
Wrinkles can now be safely and successfully treated to produce a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Treatments for facial wrinkles are usually performed by Dr Pham and his staff in the procedure room within our offices which is convenient and private for you.
Dr Pham uses a well-known Wrinkle Relaxer which is a sterile, purified protein produced in the laboratory. The Wrinkle Relaxer is injected in small amounts into facial muscles binding to the nerve endings supplying the muscle and preventing nerve impulses from traveling to the muscles. When injected into muscles, it weakens or paralyses the muscles around the area injected for a period of several months. The resultant weakening or paralysing effect on the facial muscles temporarily reduces or eliminates previous skin creasing. New skin creasing is also avoided. Wrinkle Relaxers may take several days to take effect, and these effects typically last 3-4 months, in most individuals, before full muscle movement returns. Repeated treatments may increase the duration of effect and over time you may require fewer injections.
Yes. Dr Pham uses a common Wrinkle Relaxer which has been extensively used for over 10 years for the treatment of cosmetic wrinkles and other medical conditions. It is now the most widely used cosmetic treatment.
Wrinkle Relaxer injection is a simple and safe procedure. Using a tiny micro-needle, a very small amount of the Wrinkle Relaxer is injected, very precisely, into specific locations on the face. There may be some discomfort with each injection and slight temporary bruising may occur. Usually no local anaesthetic or sedation is required but cold ice packs can help in some patients. It only takes a few minutes to perform and you can resume normal activities immediately and drive back to work or home.
Minor local irritation, redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection sites are the most commonly observed side effects, all of which typically abate within a few hours. They are easily covered with make-up. On very rare occasions the Wrinkle Relaxer can migrate and cause a temporary weakness of nearby muscles, droopy eyelids or asymmetry of facial expressions. These are all temporary and last for a few weeks and in some cases may be improved by medication.
How can I find out if I am a candidate for Wrinkle Relaxers?
If you would like to learn more about your cosmetic options, or find out if Wrinkle Relaxer treatment is for you, please call our office and schedule an appointment with Dr Pham or our Nurse Coordinator.
Do not take any Aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medications for seven days before
Wrinkle Relaxer injections, as these may contribute to a greater risk of bleeding problems.
The effect of Wrinkle Relaxer may be exaggerated by aminoglycoside antibiotics or other drugs known to interfere with neuromuscular transmission.
Remain upright for 4 hours after injections.
Do not touch injection area for 4 hours.
Use the injected muscle as often as you can for the first hour after injection.
Take no naps in a reclining position the remainder of that day.
Wrinkles and certain folds and depressions can be treated with fillers. They can be
Natural
Autologous fat and fascia (from your own body). This has a high absorption rate and may leave unevenness. Only 30-50% is retained long term. Newer techniques of microfat injections allow for higher retaining rates.
Synthetic
There are a number of different synthetic fillers available with different features:
a. Lasting for 3-4 months.
b. Lasting for 6 months
c. Lasting for 6-9 months.
d. Lasting up to 3 years or more.
Dr Pham uses many different types of filler. One type of filler is a natural complex sugar found in skin and body tissues that have a role in tissue hydration, skin structure and elasticity. Dr Pham also uses synthetic forms which are manufactured into an injectable gel that is easily used and does not require a pre test for allergy. This is the most commonly used filler at Perth Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery and other cosmetic practices.
Injectable: another type of filler used is an animal protein filler material formulated for safe use in nearly all areas of the face, including the lips and crow's feet. Fine wrinkles are filled in by the material to reduce their visibility. Other prominent facial creases and folds around the forehead, cheeks and chin can be treated as well with this material. Initially an Allergy Test must be performed. Repeated treatments every 2-4 months are typically needed to sustain the desired results. The treatments are easily performed in the office and usually have minimal side effects.
Alloderm: is an implant used for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. It may be threaded beneath the deep creases of the brow or cheek folds or placed within the upper and lower lips, to flatten and reduce wrinkle visibility. Typically, this material maintains the majority of its volume correction, similar to the injectable animal protein.
Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a non-re-absorbable synthetic polymer material, which can be used as an implant in the forehead, cheek folds, and lips to produce volume enhancement and effacement of deep facial creases. This material is not incorporated into surrounding tissues, but it does not lose volume either. It provides more long lasting change and may be placed during an office procedure using local anaesthetic and small incisions. The recovery period is relatively short.
Fat grafting / fat injections create a natural augmentation for the face, especially for the lips and mouth regions. Fat is usually harvested from the abdomen and about one third of the volume remains after the treatment. Fat grafting can be repeated for additional fullness.
In comparison to typical cosmetic surgical procedures, the office time for these wrinkle erasing procedure and the subsequent recovery period until one returns to normal function are minimal. Wrinkle filler treatment takes 15-20 minutes to perform (longer for fat transfer or implants), and most patients may return immediately to home or work. Minor local irritation, redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection sites are the most commonly observed side effects, all of which typically abate within a few hours. Some mild irritation at the injection sites is unavoidable but can easily be camouflaged with standard make-up, if necessary. In most cases swelling will subside over the next few days.
Yes. With inevitable aging and accumulated skin damage there is gradual development of facial wrinkles and photoaging or sun damage. Factors which accelerate skin damage include excessive exposure to the sun, overactive facial expression muscles, cigarette smoking, stress, poor nutrition and skin disorders. More people are seeking facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to reverse the effects of sun damaged and aging skin.
Skin resurfacing could improve the look of your skin and subsequently your self-confidence. This information aims to give you some guidelines on procedures available at Perth Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery.
Skin Resurfacing Can Be Used For The Following Conditions:
Wrinkles - especially fine wrinkles around the eyes, lips, cheeks and forehead
Blemishes and uneven skin
Sun damaged skin
Pigmentation (freckles, hyperpigmentation)
Benign skin lesions - keratoses
Scar improvements - acne, chicken pox, traumatic or surgical scars
