At Melbourne Cosmetics, we have clients present to us with a wide variety of concerns. From wrinkles and fine lines, facial sagging and volume loss, dark under eye circles and uneven/asymmetrical features – the thread is always common – a loss of confidence.

Helping people regain confidence and feel great in their own skin is what gets us up in the morning. We do this in many ways, from general health & nutrition to at-home skincare and sometimes through cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.

There are plenty of misconceptions out there about cosmetic treatments. Reality TV, inexperienced practitioners and celebrity mishaps have done no favours here! Injectables are not for everyone, but they do wonders for some people and are not something to be afraid of. It’s important to make sure you’re in experienced hands and also to empower yourself with the knowledge to ask the right questions. To help with this, we’re going to use the MC Journal to share our insights. Starting off with a basic overview of the differences between the two most common injectables.

Anti-wrinkle injections

Sometimes referred to as botox (but more accurately called Botulinum toxin A), anti-wrinkle injections use a micro-dose of a neurotoxin from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum to block the action of certain nerve types. It also has a muscle relaxant effect and has been used to treat a range of medical issues, dating back to the 1970’s. It was originally used for strabismus (crossed-eyes), eyelid twitching, neck muscle spasm and muscle stiffness following a stroke or in children with cerebral palsy.

That sounds scary, but it’s really not. There is minimal risk when administered by an experienced practitioner, and the positive effects of Botulinum toxin can offer wonderful life improvements. In addition to treating common medical concerns like migraines, teeth grinding, jaw pain and excessive sweating it can have beautiful aesthetic results on wrinkles caused by muscle movement, mainly on the upper face. These include frown lines (the “11” between the brow), forehead lines and crow’s feet. It can also be used for a slimming effect on the lower face. Treatment results last on average between 3-5 months.

Dermal fillers

While we love using Botulinum toxin, there are cases where it isn’t appropriate and we turn to dermal fillers instead. Dermal fillers are perfect for plumping up thin lips, defining the cheek bones, chin and jaw line, improving shallow areas of the face, drooping or sagging tissues such as jowls, decreasing dark under-eye circles and filling in static wrinkles present at rest (particularly on the lower face) such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

This is done by injecting temporary fillers (that can last 6-18 months) like hyaluronic acid to add volume to tissues. Although there are some small risks, as with any medical procedure, Hyaluronic acid fillers are completely reversible and can be instantly dissolved if required. This plus choosing a safe, experienced injector helps to relieve some anxiety about trying them for the first time.

We think the most important part of a treatment is the discussion that takes place beforehand. It’s crucial to have a clear understanding of needs and expectations, possible risks and side-effects before proceeding with anti-wrinkle injections or dermal fillers. When you are on the same page with your practitioner, you can both work together towards the best outcome possible.

We pride ourselves on honest relationships with our clients and our commitment to gradual, minimal enhancements. If you would like to explore which cosmetic treatment might be right for you, reach out to make an appointment for a Telehealth or in-person consultation.