Wrinkle Correction - Introduction

Our emotions - sadness, anger, but also frequent laughter and a happy personality - leave their marks on the human face. From around the age of 25, these marks become visible in the form of fine wrinkles which later develop into deeper folds that can no longer be easily overlooked. The cause of this wrinkle formation lies in the fact that the facial skin is inseparably connected to its underlying muscles. The development of wrinkles is made possible through heightened muscle activity that is repeated over the course of years as well as a reduction in the tautness of elastic fibers, skin fat, and connecting tissue. The most commonly occurring forms of wrinkles are crow's feet, glabellar wrinkles, and frown lines. Our individual facial expressions develop as the years pass and, in the case of decreasing connective tissue elasticity, leave their impressions on our skin.

In addition to other methods which effect a visible rejuvenation of the facial skin (facelifts or laser therapy), wrinkle correction using such products as Botox ® or Xeomin ®, which contains the active ingredient botulinum toxin (BTX), are indeed effective and, at the same time, low-risk. In professional applications for patients, this substance is typically used in such small amounts that it presents no health risk.^1,2 Fully effective wrinkle treatment is thus only possible through the administration of very small injections.

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is injected directly under the skin using a syringe and blocks the transmission of agitating elements which lead to the contraction of the facial muscles. A noticeable softening of the wrinkles' folds is the goal. Because aesthetic dermatology only introduces the substance in very small doses, it normally presents no health risk. The advantages of wrinkle injections using botulinum toxin (BTX) lie in the minimal effort necessary for treatment as well as the fact that complications rarely arise given professional treatment and correct dosages. Visible results can first be expected after about 2 - 5 days. After a time period of about six weeks has elapsed, a visible and pronounced softening of the depth of the wrinkles as well as smoother skin should be noticeable. This procedure does not aim for the full reduction of all of your wrinkles because this would result in an unnatural, mask-like appearance. Nevertheless, a visible rejuvenation and softening of your wrinkles, supported by the integrity of your natural facial expressions, are usually achieved. The effect is, however, of limited duration. The toxin is broken down within the body, and after about 3 to 9 months, contraction signals are usually allowed to reach the facial muscles unhindered. Of course, the treatment can easily be repeated by administering very small injections.