WRINKLE REDUCING AGENTS

Fine Lines, Wrinkles and Related Concerns

This page describes a number of common concerns that patients raise at our consultations — fine lines and wrinkles, excessive underarm sweating, certain chronic headache patterns, and tension or overactivity in the muscles of the jaw, neck and shoulders. It explains how these concerns develop, when they are worth discussing with a doctor, and what an appointment at our practice involves.

This page does not describe any specific medicine, product, device or procedure. Treatment options — if any are appropriate for you — are matters that can only be discussed in a face-to-face consultation with one of our medical practitioners, after a full medical history and examination.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Lines of the face fall into two broad groups. The first are movement lines — the creases that appear when we frown, smile, squint or raise our eyebrows. With age and repeated use, those creases gradually become visible even at rest. The second are structural lines — the changes that come from skin thinning, sun exposure, smoking, loss of underlying support and the simple passage of time.

Patients commonly notice and ask about:

•        Vertical lines between the eyebrows that make the face look tired or cross.

•        Horizontal forehead lines that are visible at rest.

•        Fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes.

•        Lines on the bridge of the nose that appear with smiling.

•        Vertical neck bands that become more noticeable with age.

•        Downturned corners of the mouth, giving an unintended sad or stern expression at rest.

Not every line needs treatment, and many patients are reassured to learn that what they are noticing is a normal part of facial ageing. Where a patient does want to do something about a particular line, a number of approaches exist — ranging from sun protection and skincare, through to in-clinic procedures, through to surgical options. The right approach (if any) for a given patient depends on the cause of the line, the patient's overall health, their goals, and a careful, individual conversation about what is realistic. We will discuss those options at your consultation.

Excessive Underarm Sweating (Axillary Hyperhidrosis)

Sweating is normal. Some patients, however, sweat from the underarms far in excess of what is needed for temperature regulation — drenching shirts, ruining clothing, and limiting work and social activities. This is a recognised medical condition known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Features that suggest a medical consultation is worthwhile include:

•        Sweating heavy enough to soak through clothing.

•        Symptoms that occur on both sides and are not driven by heat or exercise.

•        Onset typically in adolescence or early adulthood.

•        A family history of similar sweating.

•        Significant impact on work, relationships, mood, or clothing choices.

Before any treatment is considered, it is important to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude other causes of sweating — for example, thyroid problems, certain medications, infection, or hormonal changes. A medical assessment will cover that history. Conservative measures (including prescription-strength antiperspirants) are usually discussed first. Where these have not controlled the problem, there are further options available under medical supervision. These will be discussed with you on an individual basis.

Chronic and Frequent Headaches

Headaches are common. Most are short-lived and self-managed. A smaller group of patients live with frequent, debilitating headaches that interfere with work, family and daily life. The headache pattern known as chronic migraine — broadly, headaches on 15 or more days per month, of which at least 8 have migraine features, for more than 3 months — is a defined neurological condition that warrants specialist assessment.

Indicators that headache should be reviewed by a doctor include:

•        Headache occurring on most days of the month.

•        Headache that responds poorly to standard over-the-counter medication.

•        Headache associated with nausea, light sensitivity, visual changes or vomiting.

•        Increasing reliance on pain medication to function.

•        Headache disturbing sleep or waking the patient at night.

•        A change in the pattern, severity or character of long-standing headaches.

Chronic migraine has a recognised medical management pathway, and a number of preventive options exist. Most patients are best served by initial assessment with their GP and, where indicated, a neurologist. We work alongside treating GPs and neurologists where appropriate, and we will tell you honestly whether our practice is the right place for the next step in your care.

Jaw Clenching, Grinding and a Tense Jawline

Some patients describe waking with a sore jaw, a tight feeling along the angle of the jaw, headaches that come from the side of the head, worn or sensitive teeth, or a jawline that has become squarer over time. These can be signs of overactivity in the chewing muscles — most often associated with clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism), which frequently occurs during sleep without the patient being aware of it.

Assessment for these symptoms usually involves:

•        A medical and dental history, including stress, sleep, and any history of jaw injury.

•        Examination of the jaw muscles, jaw joint and teeth.

•        Liaison with your dentist where appropriate, as a dental splint is often the first step.

•        Discussion of other contributing factors (sleep, posture, stress, caffeine).

Where conservative measures have been tried and tension persists, further options exist. These are discussed only after the underlying picture is understood, and only when conservative measures have been considered.

A Tight, Overactive Neck and Shoulder Line

Many patients carry persistent tension across the top of the shoulders and the base of the neck. Common contributors are prolonged desk work, repeated use of the upper limbs (e.g. lifting children, carrying bags on one shoulder), poor sleep posture and stress. Over time, the muscle at the top of the shoulder (the upper trapezius) can become enlarged from overuse, producing both an aching, tight sensation and a more prominent line between the neck and the shoulder.

It is worth discussing with a doctor when:

•        Tension is daily, interferes with sleep, or causes headaches that radiate from the shoulders.

•        Massage, stretching and physiotherapy have been tried without lasting benefit.

•        The shoulder line itself has changed and is a source of physical or postural discomfort.

At consultation, a careful examination is performed to understand which muscles are overactive, whether physiotherapy and posture work should be tried (or continued) first, and whether there is a role for any other approach. Any treatment recommendation is made on clinical grounds — not on appearance alone.

Why This Page Does Not Describe Specific Treatments

Australian law sets clear limits on what a medical practice may say in public material about specific treatments — particularly medicines that require a prescription, and procedures that carry risk. These rules are set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and they exist to protect patients from being recommended a treatment they may not need.

The same principle applies in any GP clinic. A GP does not advertise specific blood-pressure medicines or cholesterol medicines on their website — they assess each patient and prescribe what is appropriate. We take the same approach. Whether any treatment is right for you, and what that treatment is, is a clinical decision made with you, in person, after an appropriate assessment.

Your consultation at Norwest Cosmetic Surgery

Every new patient is seen in person by one of our medical practitioners. A typical pathway is:

• Initial consultation: medical history, examination, discussion of your concern and your goals, explanation of the options that may be relevant (including non-procedural ones), and written information.

• Cooling-off period: time to consider the information without pressure, ask further questions, and consult with your GP or other treating practitioners where appropriate.

• Treatment visit (only if you choose to proceed, and only when clinically appropriate): informed written consent is obtained before any treatment is delivered.

• Review: a follow-up review is arranged after any new treatment.

If, at any stage, our practitioner forms the view that a treatment is not in your best interest — for any reason, including that conservative measures have not yet been adequately tried, or that the underlying cause needs further investigation — we will tell you and we will not proceed.

Patient Suitability

Norwest Cosmetic Surgery and its practitioners comply with AHPRA guidelines for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and for advertising higher-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic treatments at this practice are not provided to anyone under the age of 18. As part of every consultation, we undertake a psychological screening assessment. Where there are concerns about underlying body image issues, body dysmorphic disorder, unrealistic expectations or other factors affecting suitability, we will not proceed with cosmetic treatment and will, where appropriate, refer you to your GP or to an independent practitioner.

Costs

Consultation fees and treatment costs vary according to the concern, its complexity and the time required. Indicative costs will be discussed at your consultation, and a written quote can be provided. Your practitioner will explain what applies in your case.

Make a Consultation Enquiry

To enquire about a consultation, please contact Norwest Cosmetic Surgery using the contact details on our website. New patients are asked to briefly describe the concern they would like to discuss so that we can arrange an appropriate appointment with one of our medical practitioners.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Each patient has their personal reason for considering Cosmetic Injectables. The following FAQ Answers are general and a consultation with your Cosmetic Doctor or Registered Nurse is recommended to answer questions based on your personal circumstances.