Wrinkle treatment is an aesthetic treatment for wrinkles using minimally invasive methods. It is often used to treat areas such as the brows, jawline, smile lines, and other areas. The procedure is popular among people who have a mild to moderate amount of facial ageing due to muscle use and expression.
Although wrinkle treatment is useful for treating cosmetic issues, it can also address other concerns such as migraines, teeth grinding, and excessive sweating. If you are concerned about any of these issues, this procedure may be an option for treatment. Your exact procedure will depend on the issues you wish to address, which is why all patients will need to consult with a professional prior to their wrinkle treatment.
Dr Charles Cope is a qualified practitioner with experience treating a variety of cosmetic concerns. He can discuss whether you may suit this treatment, what this or other treatments can offer, the risks, as well as other important details. Contact our Sydney clinic to pursue a consultation with Dr Cope.
Wrinkle Treatment What the procedure treats
Wrinkle treatment most commonly treats facial wrinkles that appear due to ageing and expression. When we make facial expressions, our muscles contract and cause our skin to crease in certain areas. For example, we may see lines beside our eyes when we squint or lines beside our mouth when we smile. These lines may go away when the facial muscles are at rest, and therefore, they are known as ‘dynamic wrinkles.’
Furthermore, repeated facial movements, with time, can cause dynamic wrinkles to turn into ‘static wrinkles’. These are wrinkles that stay in the skin even when our muscles are not contracting. Patients who seek wrinkle treatment may desire to treat existing static wrinkles. However, some may also wish to treat dynamic wrinkles to hinder these from eventually becoming static.
Additionally, Dr Cope can treat other issues commonly experienced by patients. He will design a treatment plan to target the specific concerns you have in specific areas. For example, he can create a treatment plan for:
- Jawline and eyebrow reshaping
- Treatment of migraines
- Excessive sweating
- Teeth grinding
- Some TMJ (joint dysfunction)
We may treat issues in adults as well as children, including cerebral palsy muscle contractures in children and cosmetic matters in adults.
When it comes to cosmetic issues, the most common areas of treatment tend to be the eye area, eyebrows, and forehead. These wrinkles form with time from the activity of muscles in these areas. Dr Cope may target these areas specifically with a treatment for facial muscles if this suits your desired outcomes.
Candidates for a treatment plan
Depending on the patient, their needs, and the cosmetic issues they wish to address, a treatment plan may consist of multiple procedures. We can combine wrinkle treatment with procedures like volume treatment or lasers such as Halo or DUALMODE resurfacing. In other cases, a treatment plan may involve several sessions of the same procedure, such as multiple wrinkle treatments spaced apart by a few months. Dr Cope will recommend a suitable plan to target the areas you wish to address.
In order to receive your treatment plan, you will need to consult with Dr Cope who can determine whether you are a candidate. This means you’ll need to disclose any relevant details about your medical or treatment history and discuss your motives and goals. Generally, a good candidate for anti-ageing face treatment is someone who:
- Is concerned about lines and wrinkles due to expression
- Has other concerns, such as migraines, teeth grinding, or excess sweating
- Is a non-smoker
- Understand the risks and benefits of their desired procedure
- Is willing to follow instructions for aftercare
- Has expectations that are realistic
Your consultations with Dr Cope
If you are interested in cosmetic wrinkle treatment, you will first need to speak about your reasons, goals, and expectations with a cosmetic physician. Dr Cope is able to provide answers to any questions, as well as guidance regarding your treatment options. If you are a good candidate, you can speak to Dr Cope about what to expect from your chosen treatment and what you’ll need to do afterwards. Some patients may elect to have an ongoing treatment plan, if this is congruent with the goals they wish to achieve.
Additionally, during your meeting with Dr Cope, you will need to talk about the various aspects of your treatment. This way, you can mentally prepare and make an educated decision about whether you wish to proceed. For example, you may discuss the potential outcomes, what the procedure involves, and the risks and aftercare. It is a good idea to come to your consultation prepared and ask appropriate questions, such as: Will I need to take time off work? How long will the effects of the treatment last? You may also ask questions about Dr Cope and his credentials and experience. For more information, or to book your consultation, contact the clinic.
Procedure
During treatment, Dr Cope will abide by the treatment plan you discussed in your consultation. He will target precise areas and administer the treatment carefully. Most patients find this process tolerable, and it is a relatively quick procedure. If required, Dr Cope may use a topical numbing in order to help patients remain comfortable. Some patients might experience some stinging, and occasionally a slight swelling or bruising may occur*.
Remember that the effects of the procedure may not manifest straight away. It will take time to see the outcomes and for the mild side effects to wear off. Additionally, patients should know that the treatment is not permanent. The results will vary between patients, but generally, they last for around three to four months. If you wish to maintain the results, you may need to schedule future appointments.
*Note results may vary from person to person
Cost of Wrinkle Treatment
Costs may not be the same for every patient, as each person may have different goals and treatment areas. The costs depend on the details of your particular treatment. For example, we will discuss the extent of the procedure and the number of areas you wish to address. We will also need to think about the location of the areas you wish to target, such as the eyes, mouth, forehead, or jaw, and your desired results. In other words, your goals will influence the techniques Dr Cope uses, and the costs are reflective of this.
When you seek a cosmetic wrinkle treatment, you should also be mindful that your physician’s skill level can also impact the cost. Patients typically find that the cost is worth it for an experienced practitioner who can properly execute the procedure.
Some patients may wonder if Medicare may help with their costs. Unfortunately, the answer for cosmetic wrinkle treatment for facial ageing is: no. Financial help is only an option for patients of certain procedures that are done for medical (rather than cosmetic) motives. This means that if you are getting wrinkle treatment to address a cosmetic issue, Medicare help is not an option. However, if you are getting treatment to address a medical issue, Medicare may offer some coverage. If you are unsure whether this may apply to you, it may be a good idea to discuss this with Dr Cope.
Dr Cope can talk you through the costs and answer any questions you have during your first meeting at your consultation.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery is not as extensive as after a surgical procedure. However, aesthetic treatment for wrinkles is somewhat (though minimally) invasive. This means there is a short recovery period in which patients must be careful with their treated areas. Dr Cope will explain what you can expect and instruct you on the suitable aftercare process. The following are a few things to keep in mind following your procedure.
You should move the muscles in the treated area for five to ten minutes, and you should try to remain upright for four hours following the procedure. Resist touching or massaging the treated area, since this could spread the wrinkle treatment into unwanted areas. Additionally, you should avoid drinking alcohol and doing heavy work or exercise for at least 24 hours.
You may start to notice the effects a few days to a week after, and they may last for three months or more*. The results often last longer with further successive treatments*. Dr Cope can discuss your exact treatment plan and specific aftercare.
*Note that results vary.
Risks and complications
Complications are uncommon but can occur. The most common complication is partial eyelid ptosis (occurring in about two percent of injections), and eyebrow ptosis or asymmetry – this may last up to three weeks, after which the issue should resolve itself. Other risks can include:
- Injury to underlying structures
- Infection
- Poor results
- Prolonged side effects
If any side effects are severe or concerning, you may contact us for further advice. Patients should also note that wrinkle treatment is not for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Contact Dr Cope about wrinkle treatment in Sydney
Although wrinkle treatment is non-surgical, it should be performed only by a professional with the right experience and knowledge. A trained physician can help you make informed decisions, recommend options, and target suitable areas for treatment. They can also provide information and support throughout the process and help you resolve any issues or concerns.
Dr Cope is a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon who has widespread knowledge of skin treatments, such as aesthetic treatment for wrinkles. He can assess the nature and extent of your facial ageing, including static wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles, and skin laxity. He will also listen to your reasons and goals, which will all provide a basis for your personalised treatment plan. Informed by his experience, Dr Cope is passionate about quality and supportive patient care and aims to achieve satisfying outcomes for his patients. Book your consultation with Dr Cope to learn more about cosmetic procedures such as wrinkle treatment in Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cosmetic treatment can address existing static wrinkles, but it can also prevent the development of future wrinkles. This means that a good candidate would need to have concerns about the appearance of static wrinkles, either in the present or the future.
However, a good candidate can also be someone who is concerned about the following conditions: excess sweating, teeth grinding, muscle spasms, and migraines.
If you have severe facial wrinkles, loose skin, or lost elasticity, this treatment might not be right for you. A person who has more severe signs of ageing may instead opt for a surgical treatment such as a facelift (rhytidectomy). Also, the treatment is not considered suitable for pregnant women.
Every patient may see different outcomes from their wrinkle treatment, which depends on their treatment plan, treatment areas, and other details. Generally, however, patients can expect it to take effect in the treated area within one to two weeks. These effects tend to last for three to four months. But again, this depends on the individual and their body’s response to the treatment.
Yes, you may have multiple wrinkle treatments, spaced a few months apart, if you wish to maintain your results. In some cases, we can also combine the procedure with other treatments, such as facial volume treatment. This will depend on the patient’s cosmetic goals and desired results.
Patients can avoid risks firstly by choosing a qualified physician to perform their treatment, such as Dr Charles Cope. However, there is no way to avoid mild and temporary side effects. Some amount of swelling is normal, and the best thing to do is follow your aftercare instructions and wait for the side effects to subside. If you see any concerning symptoms, be sure to get in contact with us or seek medical advice.
