Anti-wrinkle injections: What to know about medical uses and risks

(Aging Untold) — Botulinum toxin injections are often linked to wrinkles, but some people use them to treat medical conditions as they age.

The Aging Untold experts are explaining how they work, what they can treat and what to consider before getting an injection.

How botulinum toxins works

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said these relax overactive muscles.

They work “by taking anything that’s contracting and working too hard and makes it relax,” Rogers said. “It’s a muscular toxin that makes everything relax.”

That is why they can be used cosmetically on forehead wrinkles, the crow’s feet around the eyes and the area between the eyebrows, Rogers said.

Botulinum toxin injections temporarily block nerve signals to weaken muscles, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Medical conditions they can treat

Rogers said botulinum toxins are also used for medical conditions, including migraine headaches, overactive bladder and TMJ. She said they are also used for vulvodynia and painful intercourse to relax the muscles involved.

“It’s used in a multitude of different ways,” Rogers said.

Rogers said people with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS or myasthenia gravis, people with allergies and people with an active infection should not be injected at that time.

Excessive sweating is another condition it is used for, and insurance covers a lot of medical uses, Rogers said.

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke shared the story of a client who had botulinum toxin treatment for overactive bladder.

“She went from being confined to her room to going out, going to see places, going to programs,” O’Rourke said. “It opened my eyes up to it’s not just for cosmetics. It’s really a strong medical reason to investigate it.”

Why the provider matters

Sam” Cradduck, a gerontologist, said botulinum toxin is medicine and should be treated that way.

“You have to realize that it’s medicine,” Cradduck said. “You don’t shop for this like you do your gas to fill up your car. Don’t go to the cheapest place. Go to the best place.”

O’Rourke said it is important to research who will give the treatment, including how often they have done it, and to check references.

“Make sure that you vet them really well,” O’Rourke said.

Rogers said the face has many muscles under the skin that work together and have different functions, so the person injecting needs to know what they are doing.

Risks to know

Cradduck said the injectables can affect the wrong muscle. If they are injected into the neck area, that can affect swallowing. The effect is temporary but takes time to wear off, she said.

If you get this and you’re having trouble swallowing, you’re going to deal with that until the drug wears out, Cradduck said.

Cradduck said botulinum toxins have medication interactions. For older adults who take more medicines, more care is needed because the body processes it differently, she said.

And informed consent and understanding why you are getting the treatment are important, Rogers said.

How long they lasts, and what fillers do

Botulinum toxins usually last about three to four months, Rogers said.

Fillers can last anywhere from six months to 24 months, depending on the type and what they are used for.

The shape of the face changes with age, and many people want volume back, Rogers said. Fillers can also be used in the hands. She said fillers do not dissolve and stay a long time, even after the effect has worn off.

Questions to ask yourself

O’Rourke said anyone considering botulinum toxins should examine their motives. She said some people are bothered by how they look in the mirror and some are not, and she has no judgment either way.

Rogers also said noninvasive machines can tighten skin and address wrinkles without a needle. She said one machine uses electromagnetic technology to tighten the pelvic floor and help with the bladder.

Key takeaways

• Be an educated consumer before becoming a patient. Make decisions from confidence rather than marketing or insecurity.
• Botulinum toxins have medical uses beyond wrinkles. Explore options and shop around.
• Put safety first. Vet certified providers and avoid risky setups.

This program is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen on this program. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this program or its use. Aging Untold/Gray Media, nor its employees, contractors or agents, nor any contributor to this program, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.