Anti Wrinkle and Dermal Filler FAQs

Your questions answered by our Brisbane dentists

If you’ve decided to have anti wrinkle treatment or dermal filler injections, your dentist is the ideal choice. Dentists are experts in facial anatomy who’ve had extensive training in facial physiology, who can give you the anti ageing results you’re looking for.

At Wickham Terrace Dental, we’re dedicated to your safety and comfort with every procedure we perform. Please read the information below to prepare for your anti wrinkle treatment, and if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dr Chau Tang or the Wickham Terrace Dental team.

How should I prepare for my anti wrinkle or dermal filler treatment?

We will provide you with an information sheet and consent form for your chosen injectables treatment. Please ensure you read and understand all this information – and feel free to ask us any questions if you’re unsure.

To prepare for your cosmetic injectables procedure, you should avoid consuming anti-inflammatory medication or blood-thinners for a period of two weeks before your dermal filler or anti wrinkle treatment. This includes, but is not limited to, drugs such as aspirin, Vitamin E, St John’s Wort, Omega-3 fish oils and ibuprofen.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your anti wrinkle injections, and you should not apply any make-up on the day of your treatment.

If you’re unsure about any of this advice, please consult with Dr Chau Tang well before your cosmetic injectables treatment date to ensure you will be medically fit on the day.

To allow any possible bruising, swelling or tenderness to subside, we recommend that you rest for about two to four days following your anti-ageing treatment.

What can I expect when having cosmetic injectables?

We’ll begin your anti wrinkle treatment by using an eyebrow marker to draw injection points on your face precisely where they’re needed. You may request a local anaesthetic if you wish, but most of our clients find this isn’t necessary. The anti wrinkle syringes are very small, and feel similar to having a hair plucked!

If you’re having dermal filler therapy, we will begin by numbing your face with a local anaesthetic. While this will ensure your comfort during the procedure, it will also cause your face to be numb for several hours, before wearing off completely. Please do not eat or touch any part of your face until you regain full sensation to these areas.  

What is anti wrinkle treatment and how does it work?

Although derived from the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum, our anti wrinkle treatment actually contain no bacteria in it at all. This injectable treatment has been successfully used for medical therapies since the 1960s, and for cosmetic uses since the 1980s.

At Wickham Terrace Dental we use only pharmaceutical grade, purified proteins that deliver very predictable results, accurately and with very few potential side effects.

Anti wrinkle injectables work by blocking neurotransmitters in the target muscles, to reduce the strength of your muscle contractions and smooth out the overlying skin. You can imagine how this treatment works to smooth out wrinkles around your eyes and on your forehead, including crow’s feet and frown lines.

We can also make use of this treatment for therapeutic purposes, such as night-time tooth grinding (or bruxism), as it relaxes the overactive muscles of your face which contribute to the problem.

Your anti wrinkle treatment results will appear after about 7-14 days and are temporary, lasting between 3-6 months before your normal muscle function returns completely. Of course, you are welcome to return to Wickham Terrace Dental to repeat your anti wrinkle treatment, which will result in longer-lasting effects and less frequent treatments as time goes by.

What is dermal filler treatment and how does it work?

The dermal fillers we use at Wickham Terrace Dental contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural and vital component of our skin, eyes and joints. Hyaluronic acid gives us very predictable results, accurately and with very few potential side effects.

Just like collagen and elastin, hyaluronic acid is lost from our bodies as we get older, resulting in a loss of volume and support for the skin, which causes sagging, grooves and lines on the face.

In addition to restoring this lost volume, hyaluronic acid is very hydrating and can improve the condition of your skin.

By injecting dermal fillers, we can restore your skin’s lost volume and smooth out various depressions to give you back a more youthful appearance or correct various defects like thin, asymmetrical lips.

We will administer dermal fillers under local anaesthetic. You should notice treatment results immediately, and these will last between 6-12 months before your normal contours return.

What are the possible complications from cosmetic injectables?

Both anti wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers have very predictable and reliable outcomes with very few side effects. The treatments themselves are temporary by nature, with any effects completely wearing off with time.

Cosmetic injectable treatments are not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for people with certain underlying medical conditions. We will pre-screen you to determine if this is the case for you.

Most side effects of cosmetic injectables treatment are minor, relating to the injection itself rather than the material we use. These side effects may include redness, soreness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, itching, or rash development at the site of injection, along with minor pain for several days afterward.

On rare occasions with anti wrinkle treatment, muscles that were not intended for treatment may become affected. This could result in drooping eyelids, eyebrows, lips, cheeks, or a limited smile, with associated problems with vision, speech, chewing and talking.

With hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, very rarely there may be blockage of some blood vessels, which can affect the health of the skin or cause permanent blindness. However, these side effects are extremely rare. Dr Chau Tang will thoroughly examine the area after your treatment, to ensure the blood vessels are patent after the procedure.

How do I recover from having cosmetic injectables?

We will supply you with a full list of post-operative care instructions to follow after anti wrinkle treatment or dermal filler injections, in order to minimise side effects and maximise your results.

To get the best results from your treatment, you should look after your skin by avoiding sun exposure, not smoking, using good skincare products at home, and undergoing skin resurfacing treatments such as chemical peels or laser.

Interested in anti wrinkle treatment or dermal filler injections? Find out more by calling 07 3831 3031 or book an appointment online today.