Non-surgical Procedures, Skin care

How to get anti-wrinkle injections without looking like Dr Spock

Article medically reviewed by Dr. Gavin Chan (MBBS, cosmetic doctor, liposuctionist)

Templestowe Lower, Berwick and Beaumaris Clinics

Dr. Gavin Chan has a background in intensive care, anaesthesia, and emergency medicine. Since 2005, Dr. Chan has provided cosmetic procedures, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, liposuction and laser treatments. He is a doctor trainer for various dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections. Read More

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Have you ever looked at someone’s face and thought that it resembled Dr Spock? While anti-wrinkle injections are effective at reducing frown and forehead lines, if they are not placed in the right muscles the eyebrows will arch up heavily on the outside, creating an unnatural appearance.

Dr Gavin Chan (MBBS, Cosmetic Doctor, Liposuctionist) says that a common problem he sees with anti-wrinkle injections in the frown lines is that if it’s not done with care and precision, the patient can end up looking like Dr Spock. This look is probably the biggest give away that you have had injections. According to Dr Gavin Chan, the “hallmark of a bad cosmetic treatment is when people can tell that you’ve had it done. A good cosmetic treatment makes you look refreshed and well.” Since 2005, Dr Gavin Chan and his team of highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses have regularly consulted with people who have had anti-wrinkle injections elsewhere and don’t like the results.

Which muscles contribute to frown and forehead lines?

Dr Gavin Chan (MBBS, Cosmetic Doctor, Liposuctionist) explains that the frown consists of two main muscles; the corrugator and the procerus. The corrugator is a strong muscle that extends from bone near the top of the nose to the underside of the skin just over the mid portion of the eyebrow. When you contract the corrugator, it causes vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, often called “frown lines” or “11’s”.

The procerus is a pyramid shaped muscle that extends from the lower part of the nasal bone to the middle of the forehead between the eyebrows, where it attaches to the frontalis muscle. This muscle pulls the skin between your eyebrows down. When these muscles are overactive you, “get vertical lines from the corrugator muscle and a horizontal line from the procerus muscle.”

The other muscle that contributes to frown lines is the frontalis muscle, the only elevator of your eyebrows. The frontalis muscle starts at the brows and ends in the scalp and allows your forehead and eyebrows to move up. Anti-wrinkle injections used in the frontalis muscle will help stop the formation of wrinkles in the forehead.

forehead wrinkle treatment

Why your anti-wrinkle injections must be performed by trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses

To avoid looking like Dr Spock after your anti-wrinkle injections it’s important to have a consultation with highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses at a reputable medical clinic that focuses primarily in anti-wrinkle injections. Led by Dr Gavin Chan, our Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses take time to assess your face and the movement of your muscles.

We avoid using injections only in the centre part of the forehead because the outer parts of the forehead will still elevate. While injections in the middle of the forehead can be effective, it’s a big clue that you have had some ‘work done’. Dr Gavin Chan thinks that  one of the underlying causes of patients looking like Dr Spock is the way most anti-wrinkle practitioners are taught. He says that the ‘rule’ to reduce frown lines (still being taught today) is to “inject the frontalis muscle everywhere you like except a centimetre over the outer brows.”

He explains that the rationale behind this ‘rule’ was because the frontalis muscles is the only muscle that elevates the forehead, if you inject the entire muscle, the eyelids and brows will appear heavy. Dr Gavin Chan notes that, “what determines whether you get a brow drop or not will primarily be due to the patient’s anatomy and genetics. Some people are more predisposed to a heavy brow and heavy eyelids.”

However, this anti-wrinkle injection technique is the reason why people are walking around looking like Dr Spock. If the anti-wrinkle injection is not placed in the corrugator muscle correctly and is incorrectly placed in the frontalis muscle, the outside of the eyebrows will compensate, resulting in the Dr Spock look.

What happens during anti-wrinkle injection treatment?

One of the key concerns people have about having injections is that it may leave bruises. When a needle disrupts a vein under the skin bruising will occur. To minimise the risk of bruising, Dr Gavin Chan uses the Accuvein to visualise and mark out the patient’s veins. This hand held device helps the Cosmetic Doctor or Cosmetic Nurse make adjustments to their injection points to avoid the veins and decrease the risk of bruising.

Dr Gavin Chan marking out veins to avoid bruising

Another concern people have about anti-wrinkle treatments is that it may be painful. Led by Dr Gavin Chan, our highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses use trained techniques to minimise any pain or discomfort including:

  • Ice: Because pain and temperature sensation travel along the same nerve pathway, using ice on your skin before your anti-wrinkle injections ensures less pain will be felt.
  • Vibration: When a vibrating device is used on your skin, nerve pathways that conduct pain become overloaded with vibrations and are unable to pass pain signals to the brain as easily.
  • Inhaled anaesthetic gas: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is commonly used for dental procedures or during labour. The effect of the inhaled anaesthetic gases we use tends to wear off quickly without any lingering effects.
  • Local anaesthetic cream: Before your anti-wrinkle injections, we can apply an application of local anaesthetic cream to your skin to help numb it.

botox treatment two weeks later

To check if she looked like Dr Spock or not, 2 weeks after the treatment Dr Gavin Chan reviewed the patient’s face. He explains, “Anti-wrinkle injection treatment is all about balancing up the actions of the muscles and not being fearful of injecting over the brow and being fearful of causing brow droop.”

The best skin care to use after your anti-wrinkle treatment

After your anti-wrinkle treatment it is important to keep your skin hydrated, nourished and protected with good quality skin care that delivers what it promises. Synergie SuperSerum reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by harnessing marine biotechnology and the power of DNA repairing peptides. Phycosaccharide AI™ repairs damaged skin cells while stimulating collagen and healthy stem cells to increase hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and relax facial muscles.

If you have more mature skin, we recommend you use a scientifically formulated skin care range. Aspect Dr Age Management Kit has four products including Deep Clean Cleanser (30ml), Active C Serum (30ml), Exfol A Serum (30ml) and Resveratrol Moisturising Cream (15g).

Suitable for all skin types, Cosmedix Hydrate +is a light, daily antioxidant moisturiser that provides broad-spectrum protection. The advanced Zinc Oxide formula provides chemical free sun protection as the lipids deliver hydration that softens the appearance of lines.

Uncertain about what skin care is best for you? A consultation with one of our highly qualified and experienced Skin Therapists will ensure your personalised skin care regime delivers optimal results. Contact 1300 863 824 to book your consultation.

Get the best anti-wrinkle injections in Melbourne without looking like Dr Spock

Since 2005, led by Dr Gavin Chan our highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurse have treated thousands of people’s frown and forehead wrinkles using the latest injection techniques, our anti-wrinkle treatments will refresh your look without losing your natural expressions.

Find out how we can effectively treat your wrinkles so you don’t look like Dr Spock. Call us on 1300 863 824 to find out more or fill in the form below.