OVERVIEW INFORMATION

Facial lines are caused by the repeated use of the facial muscles in a particular manner. Facial lines form wherever we frown, squint or smile. Some people have a distinctive facial habit - raising eyebrows, using one side of the face more than the other and they will in time see a set of facial lines appear which reflect this individual habit.

Botulinum toxin injections is a preventative treatment to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes. When you smile or frown, this is a result of a nerve signal from your brain to your muscles causing them to move. Botulinum toxin is a purified protein that blocks this signal from brain to the nerve endings. Injections are given to temporarily put the muscles to sleep for a period of three to six months, although the results can last longer with repeated treatments. This freezing of the muscle is always temporary and can never be permanent so Botulinum toxin is sometimes called “The Hibernation Treatment” as the muscle “hibernates” for a few months. The aim is to break the habit of frowning and educate the patient in his or her facial movement so that one ‘forgets’ how to frown. Usually patients have several of these injections over a year or two until the frowning habit is broken.

The positive benefits of botulinum toxin injections are that while the muscle is temporarily immobilised, the frown line is not being created or reinforced. Most patients notice that their existing frown lines do soften because the forehead is completely relaxed. Some people have a markedly lopsided face due to an overactive muscle on one side. This treatment can be used to weaken an overactive muscle thereby balancing the face.