How Do Wrinkle Relaxing Treatments Work?

Thankfully though there’s makeup, great skincare and loads of different treatments available now. We all have our favourite concealers and skincare regime, but while we’ve all heard of treatments like anti-wrinkle treatments, commonly called Botox, not many of us really know how it actually works. Let’s take a look at what the anti-wrinkle treatment does and how it manages to reduce dynamic lines.

What does Botox do?

Botox is one of several brands of botulinum toxin (others include Dysport, Vistabel and Azzalure), which is a neurotoxin. The toxin is the active part of the treatment. I know - ‘toxin’ sounds a bit scary, right? But it isn’t in small doses - you can find out more about how safe botulinum toxin is here.

Anti-wrinkle treatments have been around for quite a while now, but in the last few years it has become the number one non-invasive aesthetic treatment due to its ability to diminish dynamic lines. So, how exactly does it work? Well, it is injected into the muscles around the forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines or lipstick lines, and effectively blocks the signals that are sent between the nerves and the muscles.

By ‘freezing’ the muscle, this causes it to relax, and as a consequence, stops the folding and crumpling of the skin above the muscle, reducing the formation and appearance of lines and wrinkles in that area. Sounds a bit science-y? It is, but who knew science could be so interesting.

How long does it last?

This muscle paralysis lasts about three months, giving you a smoother, line-free appearance until the toxin metabolises. After this, you might consider repeating the treatment to get the same effects.

It’s not just used as an anti-wrinkle injection either. Botulinum toxin is also used for a whole range of medical issues such as migraines and hyperhidrosis. Is there no end to this toxin’s talents?

So, if you fancy a few months (or permanent) holiday from your wrinkles, Botox might be a good solution. But if you are going to try it, make sure you book a consultation with a medically qualified practitioner who is qualified to prescribe. There are a lot of people out there who, after a short course, claim to be able to get rid of wrinkles, but while Botox is safe when administered by a pro, it can be dangerous and provide a seriously undesirable outcome if it gets into the wrong hands. So, don’t risk it. Do your research and only book the best.

Want to read more on anti-wrinkle treatments, including benefits and side effects? Our handy treatment guide should tell you everything you need to know.

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