Botox & Wrinkle Cosmetic Treatment

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, and gradually form around where the skin bunches up when we smile, frown, and laugh. Lifestyle factors can also contribute, for example whether you smoke, your level of sun exposure, and your sleeping position. Wrinkles are harmless, but since they are associated with older age, they are cosmetically undesirable for most people.

Botulinum toxin type A, known as Botox, is a muscle relaxant that can be used to reduce the appearance of certain types of wrinkles, such as those between the eyes (glabellar frown lines). It does this by relaxing the muscles that contract the overlying skin, via injection. The effect is temporary, lasting between 4-6 months.

Crows Feet & Wrinkle Reduction

Crow's feet are the wrinkles that form at the corner of they eyes. They tend to be one of the first signs of ageing as the skin in that area is thin and is one of the most mobile areas when we are smiling or laughing. Also, time spent outdoors or less than perfect eyesight means that we 'squint' more often than we imagine. Because we look at people's eyes when we meet and talk, wrinkles around the eyes are the most noticed.

The closely related 'Bunny Lines' and 'Frown Lines' are those that form between the eyes above the bridge of the nose and along the inside of the cheeks.

Botulinum treatment is a safe and very quick procedure and results in no downtime for the patient. There may be very slight bruising at the injection point, and mild muscle weakness in the surrounding area is a rare and temporary side effect. It usually takes a few days for the Botox to take full effect.

The reduction of the signs of ageing using Botulinum Toxin injections is part science, but part art. The most common error of less skilled or under qualified practitioners is to overuse the treatment creating the classic 'frozen face' look. Dr D'ippollito takes a careful 'less is more' approach using smaller amounts of toxin, carefully and precisely applied.

Gummy Smile Reduction

Although very common, many people are a little sensitive about their 'Gummy' smile.

Gummy smile occurs when your upper lip elevates too far your upper teeth, exposing a little more gum area than ideal. This can happen for a number of reasons. One cause is hyperactivity in the muscle which elevates the upper lip. Occasionally, the gummy smile is made more noticeable by a thin upper lip that further contributes to the problem by exposing the upper gum even more. Fortunately, gummy smile can be simply and effectively reduced or even removed by Botulinum toxin (well known as Botox) injections to reduce the activity of the muscle that elevates the upper lip.