FAQS

Answers to Common Concerns

WHAT IS BOTOX / BOTULINUM TOXIN A

There are three brands of Botulinum Toxin in NZ that Medsafe has approved - Botox® / Dysport®/ Xeomin®. The term Botox is widely used to describe the treatment regardless of what treatment is used. This anti-wrinkle treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that can dramatically reduce even your toughest wrinkles within days.

The method consists of injecting tiny quantities of a biological medicine called Botulinum Toxin A into specific muscles that cause these wrinkles. Botulinum Toxin A is a “Botulinum Type A Toxin”, which is a natural, purified protein. It doesn’t harm the muscle nor the nerves: it just blocks the signals from the nerves so that the muscle won’t contract completely. The area remains relaxed and the wrinkles are markedly softened.

Botulinum Toxin A relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. One fifteen minute treatment – a few tiny injections – relaxes the muscles between your brows that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for months.

HOW DOES BOTULINUM TOXIN A WORK

Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions. Botulinum Toxin A relaxes tiny facial muscles that cause expression lines, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, you have reduced ability to contract it and continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus the lines gradually smooth out from disuse and new creases are prevented from forming.

Botulinum Toxin A works on the specific areas treated. Other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows aren’t affected so a natural expression is maintained. It won’t “freeze” your facial expression, it merely softens them and works where you want it to.

How many Botulinum Toxin A treatments will I need? Is Botulinum Toxin A permanent?
Botulinum Toxin A lasts for up to five months, depending on the individual.

You can decide to repeat the procedure as you wish, as the result will wear off gradually and expression lines slowly return.

To maintain the effect you’ll require repeat injections two to three times a year.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF BOTULINUM TOXIN A TREATMENTS

In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects are temporary and localised to the area of injection. These include soreness or mild bruising (which can be easily covered with makeup), headache and less commonly, you may develop a heavy eyelid lasting one to four weeks which your doctor may be able to treat.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TREATMENT FOR BOTULINUM TOXIN A

Most people resume normal activities immediately. After the injections it takes four to five days for Botulinum Toxin A to begin taking effect and around seven to ten days to see the full effect.

HOW MUCH DOES BOTULINUM TOXIN COST

Approximately 1unit botox® = 1unit Xeomin® = 2.5unit Dysport® (however some clinician may disagree with this ratio), in year 2021, the average cost of these products in New Zealand were:
Botox® $15- $22 /unit
Dysport® $5- $8/ unit
Xeomin® $13-$20/Unit

WHAT ARE DERMAL FILLERS

The Dermal Fillers used at Devonport Cosmetics are clear gels made from a substance called Hyaluronic Acid (HA). HA is found naturally in the body. It is the volumizing and moisturizing component of your skin, as we age the moisture in the dermis gradually decreases with age. There are different brands of Dermal Fillers, the most common one being Juvederm. If you are after a particular brand of Dermal Filler, we can usually get it for you.

HOW DO DERMAL FILLERS WORK

Your skin is made of two layers, with supporting columns holding them apart. The area in-between includes the clear-jelly like substance called hyaluronic acid. While young, the hyaluronic acid is in abundance. As you grow older, the acid between these layers diminishes, and the skin somewhat sags, causing a wrinkle. The wrinkle would be gone if you filled that area back up with the hyaluronic acid jelly-like substance. That’s where filler comes in.
The filler is injected directly into the wrinkle: it lifts and instantly fills the lines by virtue of the volume thus created. Right from the first injection, the wrinkle is markedly and visibly reduced.
The filler is injected into the skin with a very thin needle. It’s injected into this area, and restores the natural volume underneath the wrinkle so that it’s lifted up and smoothed out. All of this takes less than an hour, leaves no marks or scars, and the result can be seen immediately.

WHAT PREPARATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR DERMAL FILLER & BOTULINUM TOXIN A TREATMENTS

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH US:

Botulinum Toxin A:

Your medical history will be reviewed for any history of skin problems, medications, etc.
Botulinum Toxin A treatments will be explained fully and all of your questions answered.
Your consultant will determine exactly where to use Botulinum Toxin A to achieve the best results.

Dermal Filler :

Your medical history will be reviewed for any history of skin problems, medications, etc.
Dermal filler treatments will be explained fully and all of your questions answered.
Your consultant will determine exactly where to use dermal fillers to achieve the best results.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TREATMENT FOR DERMAL FILLER

After the treatment you’ll be given a short list of instructions to follow.
Most people go back to work that day or the next day depending on the amount of swelling.
Ice on the filled area helps to keep swelling down and some people don’t have any swelling at all.
A review appointment may be made/suggested.