Wrinkle filling by injection - Botox®

Wrinkles are generally caused by age-related loss of elasticity and the reduction of supporting skin tissue. In this respect, the treatment options are numerous. Today, different injectable materials can be applied as an efficient alternative to "classic" surgical operations.    

To determine the best therapeutic method, it is essential to differentiate mimic and static wrinkles.

Mimic wrinkles

These wrinkles emerge over the course of time through the activities of the facial muscles such as smiling, frowning, squinting the eyes (result - crow's feet), pursing the lips or tensing the skin of the neck down to the cleavage (result - turkey neck). A very effective method of eliminating mimic wrinkles is the reduction of muscle contraction. For this purpose, Botulinum toxin can be applied. This neurotoxic protein is commercially available as Botox®, Vistabel®, or Dysport®.

This therapy is based on the prevention of muscle contraction. To achieve this effect, Botulinum toxin is injected directly into the muscle using extra-fine needles to block the muscular nerve impulses. As a result, the respective muscle can no longer be contracted. This method is almost pain-free thanks to the use of extremely fine needles.

Static wrinkles

These wrinkles are permanently visible as a consequence of the natural ageing process of the skin. They become visible in the form of deep nasolabial folds, wrinkles in the corners of the mouth, or permanent forehead furrows. In most cases, these permanent folds and wrinkles are treated with skin-filling materials (so-called "fillers") which lift the deepened wrinkles up to the level of the adjacent skin. Moreover, they have a smoothening effect on the skin and make it elastic and resilient. Suitable skin fillers are hyaluronic acids which are generally available under the trade names of Restylane®, Teoxane®, Teosyl kiss® and Teosyl deep lines®. Existing wrinkles are refilled with hyaluronic acids using extremely thin needles.

Today, modern anti-wrinkle treatment combines a Botulinum toxin pre-treatment and the application of fillers. The long-term effect of fillers can be increased by pre-treating the skin with Botulinum toxin to reduce the patient's mimic activity. Once the filling material is injected, it cannot be reallocated by the facial muscles.

Please feel free to request an appointment for a personal and detailed consultation with Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Thorsten Wegner, our skin specialist. Thorsten Wegner is not only a dentist, but also a dermatologist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Edited August 2011