Top 5 Questions People Ask Before Anti‑Wrinkle Injections

1. Will I look natural — and not “frozen”?
2. How safe are anti‑wrinkle injections and who is suitable?
3. How long do results last and when should I schedule top‑ups?
4. What areas can be treated — and can injections help jawline definition or neck bands?
5. What is the cost vs value compared to fillers or skin‑quality treatments?

How Anti‑Wrinkle Injections Work

Anti‑wrinkle injections use purified botulinum toxin type A to temporarily reduce specific muscle activity. Expression lines soften because the skin is no longer repeatedly creased at those points. We target the muscles that drive frown lines (glabella), forehead lines (frontalis), and crow’s feet (lateral canthus), and can address bunny lines, gummy smile, lip lines, pebble chin, and neck bands when clinically appropriate.

Natural‑looking outcomes rely on dose, muscle balance, and placement. We map your movement patterns and use tailored dosing so the upper face retains expression. If skin texture or volume loss contributes to lines, we may combine with dermal fillers or Profhilo® for a more complete result.

Safety & Suitability: Consultant‑Led Protocols

Your consultation includes a medical assessment (neuromuscular conditions, medications, infections, pregnancy/breastfeeding considerations) and a skin exam. We avoid treatment during active skin infections or uncontrolled inflammatory disease (see dermatitis, rosacea, acne/folliculitis). In some cases of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), botulinum toxin can be used therapeutically following clinical assessment.

Common, Short‑Lived Effects

• Tiny injection marks or mild redness that settle quickly.
• Transient headache or tight sensation while treatment sets in.
• Rare small bruises — plan ahead if you have an event.

Uncommon Considerations

• Local asymmetry or brow heaviness if dose/placement is not balanced — hence the value of experience and review.
• Eyelid ptosis is rare; dosing and injection depth are adjusted to minimise risk.
• All treatments include clear consent, photos, and written aftercare.

Results Timeline: Onset, Peak and How Long It Lasts

• Onset: 3–5 days after treatment.
• Peak effect: around 10–14 days.
• Duration: typically 3–4 months; 2–3 months in very expressive areas; up to ~5 months for some.

We book a follow‑up window around two weeks to check balance when needed. For the most consistent year‑round look, many patients schedule treatments every 3–4 months. If static lines are etched into the skin, we may recommend a combination plan with fractional CO₂ laser, microneedling or exosomes to improve skin quality.

Areas We Commonly Treat in London

• Upper face: frown (11s), forehead lines, crow’s feet.
• Nasal: bunny lines; softens scrunch‑related creases.
• Smile zone: lip lines, downturned mouth corners (with careful dosing and assessment).
• Chin & jaw: pebbled chin (mentalis), masseter contouring in clenching/grinding cases as suitable; may complement jawline lifting.
• Neck: platysmal bands; often part of a wider skin‑texture plan.
• Sweating: underarm hyperhidrosis (after assessment) — see excessive sweating.

Your plan may combine energy‑based tightening like Endolift® or volume restoration with dermal fillers where laxity or volume loss dominates.

Treatment Day & Aftercare

1. Assessment & plan: medical history, muscle mapping, consent, photos.
2. Treatment: quick, precise micro‑doses using sterile technique.
3. Immediately after: no rubbing for 4–6 hours; keep upright for ~4 hours; avoid sauna/steam/exercise that day.
4. Make‑up: usually acceptable the next day if skin is intact.
5. Review: optional balance check ~2 weeks where clinically appropriate.

Cost vs Value — and When to Choose Alternatives

Anti‑wrinkle injections excel at softening dynamic lines. If your primary concern is hollowness, sagging or deep folds, you’ll often get a better outcome with fillers for contour, Endolift® for lift, or skin‑quality boosters like Profhilo® or polynucleotides. We’ll design a sequence that prioritises the biggest visual gains with the least intervention.

For redness‑prone or rosacea‑type flushing, energy‑based vascular options on our vascular/pigmentation laser page may be more appropriate alongside skincare. Texture concerns can respond to medical hydro‑dermabrasion, microneedling, or fractional CO₂.

Who Is (and Isn’t) a Good Candidate?

You’re likely suitable if you have dynamic lines that intensify with expression and you prefer a rested look without loss of expression. We’ll defer or adapt treatment in pregnancy/breastfeeding, active infection, or certain neuromuscular conditions/medications. If acne, eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis is active in the treatment area, we may calm the skin first (see eczema treatment, acne & folliculitis).

Your Consultant‑Led Pathway in Maida Vale

1. Consultation: goals, medical screening, photography, muscle mapping.
2. Plan: tailored dosing strategy; discuss combinations (e.g., fillers, Profhilo®, polynucleotides).
3. Treatment: precise micro‑injections with sterile technique.
4. Aftercare: written instructions and escalation guidance.
5. Review: optional check at ~2 weeks if clinically appropriate.

FAQs: Anti‑Wrinkle Injections in London