Rhytides (Wrinkles) Drug Summary

Last updated: 26 May 2026
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Emollients, Cleansers & Skin Protectives*

Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Locust bean gum
Biotopix Specific		 Cream, lotion Apply small dabs to the entire face and neck 12 hourly (morning and night) Special Instructions
  • Allow to penetrate the skin for 5 minutes before applying make-up
N-6-furfuryladenine
(N6-furfuryladenine, Kinetin)		 Cleanser, cream, lotion Cleanser: Apply in the morning
Cream/lotion: Gently massage 3-5 pumps into skin 12 hourly (morning and night)
Eye cream: Apply morning and night to entire skin area around the eyes		 Special Instructions
  • Cleanser: Massage over skin for 2 minutes before rinsing
  • Eye cream: Apply using a gentle patting motion with fingertips
Sodium hyaluronate
(Na hyaluronate)		 Cream, gel, serum Apply to face and neck 12 hourly in the morning and evening Special Instructions
  • Apply on dry area
Vitamin E (D-alpha tocopherol) Cream Apply small amount in thin layer onto face and neck 12 hourly after cleansing in the morning and evening Special Instructions
  • Do not use on broken skin
  • Discontinue use if irritation occurs
*1Combination with other emollients are available. Please see latest MIMS for specific formulations and prescribing information.

Muscle Relaxant (Peripherally-Acting)

Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) 50 u/vial
100 u/vial
200 u/vial		 Glabellar lines: Injection 4 u IM (0.1 mL) of reconstituted solution into 5 sites
2 injections IM into each corrugator muscle
1 injection IM into procerus muscle
Total dose: 20 u with interval no more frequent than every 3 months
Crow’s feet: 2-6 u/injection site IM at 2-3 mm depth
Total dose: 6-18 u/side injection bilaterally
Forehead lines: Inject 4 u IM into 5 sites in the frontalis muscle
Total dose: 20 u		 Adverse Reactions
  • Injection site reactions (pain, tenderness and/or bruising); Dermatologic effects (rarely skin rash, pruritus); Other effects (fever, flu, facial paresis, neck pain)
Special Instructions
  • Contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome
  • Use with caution in patients at risk of angle-closure glaucoma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pregnant, children <12 years old and elderly

Other Dermatologicals

Drug Dosage Remarks
Ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid)1 Apply to the face 12 hourly (morning and evening)

Special Instructions

  • Contraindicated in patients with skin irritation, open wounds
Hyaluronic acid2 Filler: Apply 2 mL gel filler to the wrinkles and leave for 10 minutes. Then apply 1-2 mL nourishing film all over the face and neck. Administer 24 hourly (morning or evening) x 14 days
Skin booster: Inject into the dermal layer of the skin
Recommended treatment plan:
3 treatments, 2-4 weeks apart
May repeat every 4-6 months		 Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (redness, edema, erythema, necroses in the glabellar region, granulomas, hypersensitivity, abscess formation); Other effects (local bleeding or hematomas, induration, staining and poor effect at the injection site)
Special Instructions
  • Not suitable for oily skin
  • Do not inject into area that has already been treated with another filling product
  • Use with caution in patients with acute rheumatic fever with heart complications, history of streptococcal disease
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, UV light, cold temperature, using saunas or steam baths for 2 weeks after injection
Poly-L-lactic acid (Polylactic acid) Depth of injection and quantity depend on the area to be treated and result expected Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (transient bleeding, transient pain, localized redness at injection site, ecchymosis, hematoma, slight edema, nodules)
Special Instructions
  • Should only be used in the deep dermis or SC layer
  • Use with caution in patients being treated with anticoagulants
  • Contraindicated in patients with known history of or susceptibility to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring
  • Minimize exposure of the treatment area to sun and avoid UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness have resolved
Sodium hyaluronate
(Na hyaluronate)2		 Individualize dosage
Inject into the superficial to mid-dermis using various techniques		 Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (very slight bleeding, injection site reactions, hematomas, swelling in the treated area); Other effect (allergy)
Special Instructions
  • Use with caution in patients with antecedents or active autoimmune disease or history of severe multiple allergies or anaphylactic shock; history of streptococcal diseases or predisposed to hypertrophic scars or cheloids; epilepsy, impaired cardiac conditions, severely impaired hepatic function or severe renal dysfunction or porphyria; congenital methemoglobinemia, G6PD deficiencies; concomitant use with other aesthetic medicine techniques (eg peeling, dermabrasion, laser treatment), other local anesthetic or other amide-type local anesthetic, methemoglobin-inducing agents
  • Do not inject into an area treated with permanent or semi-permanent implant
  • Avoid make-up application for at least 12 hours after treatment and exposure to heat, UV rays or massage and prolonged exposure to the sun for 2 weeks after the treatment
1Combination with emollients are available. Please see latest MIMS for specific formulations and prescribing information.
2Combination with Lidocaine is available. Please see the latest MIMS for specific formulations and prescribing information.

Retinoids (Topical)

Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Adapalene 0.1% cream, gel
0.3% gel		 Apply 24 hourly after washing prior to bedtime Adverse Reactions
  • Usually resolve with continued use or by decreasing frequency of application: Erythema, dryness, scaling, pruritus and burning following application
Special Instructions
  • Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight or UV radiation
  • Time to therapeutic response: 8-12 week with exacerbation of acne during early treatment
Tazarotene 0.1% cream Apply 24 hourly in the evening Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (desquamation, erythema, burning sensation, dry skin, irritation, pruritus, irritant contact dermatitis, stinging, acne, rash)
Special Instructions
  • Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight or UV radiation
    • Patient should be advised to use sunscreen minimum strength (SPF 15) and protective clothing
  • If excessive irritation occurs, discontinue and resume use when skin integrity becomes intact; dosing frequency may be reduced to an interval that the patient can tolerate and frequency can be increased based on patient’s tolerance
Tretinoin
(Retinoic acid)		 0.025% cream, gel
0.05% cream, gel
0.05% emollient cream
0.1% cream		 Apply 24 hourly Adverse Reactions
  • Usually resolve with decreasing frequency of application: Stinging, feeling of warmth, erythema, peeling
  • Dermatologic effects (edema, blistering, crusting of the skin, temporary hypo- or hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity)
Special Instructions
  • Start with weaker formulation and increase concentration as tolerated
  • Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight or UV radiation
    • Patient should be advised to use sunscreen minimum strength (SPF 15) and protective clothing

Disclaimer

All dosage recommendations are for non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women, and non-elderly adults with normal renal and hepatic function unless otherwise stated.  
Not all products are available or approved for above use in all countries.  
Products listed in the Drug Summary are based on indications stated in the locally approved product monographs.   
Please refer to local product monographs in Related MIMS Drugs for country-specific prescribing information.  

Related MIMS Drugs