What are Anti-Wrinkle injections?Â
Anti-wrinkle injections use a purified protein called botulinum toxin to temporarily relax specific facial muscles. When those muscles stop contracting as strongly, the skin above them smooths out. Lines soften, and new ones are slower to form.
The treatment has been used safely in both cosmetic and medical settings for decades. It is one of the most performed non-surgical procedures in the world, and for good reason. Results are predictable, the process is quick, and there is no surgery involved.
Expression lines versus static lines
Anti-wrinkle injections work best on expression lines. These are the lines that form when you move your face, such as frowning, squinting, or raising your eyebrows. Over time, repeated movement etches those lines deeper into the skin. Relaxing the muscle responsible reduces the line and slows that process down.
Static lines are different. These are lines that sit on the face even when it is completely relaxed, usually the result of volume loss or significant skin laxity. Injections can soften them but will not erase them entirely on their own. A practitioner will tell you honestly at consultation whether injections alone will get you the result you want, or whether a combination approach would work better.
What areas they treat
The upper face
The forehead, frown lines between the brows, and crow's feet around the eyes are the three most commonly treated areas. These are where expression lines tend to appear first and where injections deliver the most consistent results. Most people start here, either to address lines that are already visible or to slow down the ones forming.
Beyond the forehead
Treatment is not limited to the upper face. Bunny lines on the sides of the nose, lip lines around the mouth, chin dimpling, and vertical neck bands can all be addressed with injections. The jawline is another option, where relaxing the chewing muscle can slim the lower face and ease teeth grinding at the same time. Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, is also commonly treated this way, most often in the underarms.
What happens at your appointment
The consultation
Before anything is injected, you will have a consultation. Your practitioner will look at your face at rest and in movement, ask about your medical history and any medications you take, and talk through what you want to achieve. This is also where they will flag anything that might make you unsuitable for treatment. A good practitioner takes their time here. It is not a formality.
The treatment itself
The actual injections take around 10 to 15 minutes. The skin is cleaned first, and your practitioner may mark the injection points before starting. A very fine needle is used to place small amounts of product into the targeted muscles. Most people describe it as a quick pinprick sensation. Some areas are more sensitive than others, but the discomfort is brief and numbing cream is available if needed.
You can go straight back to your normal day afterwards. There is no downtime. Most people have it done in a lunch break and go straight back to work.
What to expect after treatment
The first 24 hours
Immediately after, you may notice small raised bumps at the injection sites. These settle within an hour or two. Some mild redness or swelling is normal and usually fades by the end of the day. Bruising is possible, particularly around the eye area, but it is not guaranteed and tends to resolve within a few days.
For the first 24 hours, avoid touching or rubbing the treated area, strenuous exercise, alcohol, lying flat, and any heat treatments like saunas or steam rooms. These precautions help the product settle correctly and reduce the risk of bruising.
Seeing your results
Results do not appear immediately. Most people start to notice changes within three to five days. The full effect takes around ten to fourteen days to show. At that point the treated muscles are fully relaxed, the skin above them is smoother, and lines are visibly reduced. Some clinics offer a review appointment at the two-week mark to assess results and make any minor adjustments if needed.
How long results last
Typical duration
For most people, results last between three and four months. Some see them hold for closer to five or six months, particularly after having regular treatments over time. As the product gradually wears off, the muscle starts to contract again and lines begin to reappear. At that point, a top-up appointment will maintain the result.
Why duration varies
How long results last is not the same for everyone. Factors like how active your facial muscles are, how quickly your body processes the product, your age, and your skin condition all play a role. Areas with stronger or more frequently used muscles, like the forehead, can sometimes metabolise the product faster. Your practitioner will give you a realistic idea of what to expect based on your individual assessment.
Who is and isn't suitable
Good candidates
Anti-wrinkle injections are suitable for most healthy adults who want to soften expression lines or slow the formation of new ones. You do not need to have deep wrinkles to benefit. Many people start treatment earlier as a preventative measure, before lines have a chance to become permanent. Men and women both have the treatment, and results are tailored to the individual in both cases.
Who should not have them
There are some situations where treatment is not appropriate. You should not have anti-wrinkle injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are under 18, if you have certain neuromuscular conditions, or if you have an active skin infection in the area to be treated. Allergies to any of the components in the product are also a contraindication. Your practitioner will go through a full checklist before proceeding to make sure treatment is safe for you specifically.
FAQ
Do anti-wrinkle injections look natural?
Yes, when done well. The goal is always to soften lines while keeping natural movement and expression. A skilled practitioner will not over-treat. Results should leave you looking fresher and more rested, not frozen or overdone.
Can I combine anti-wrinkle injections with other treatments?
Yes. They are commonly combined with dermal fillers, skin boosters, and other aesthetic treatments. Your practitioner can advise on what combination would work best for your concerns and in what order to approach them.
How soon can I have a top-up?Â
Most practitioners recommend waiting at least two weeks after your initial treatment before considering any top-up. This gives the product time to fully settle and allows an accurate assessment of your results.
Is there anything I should do to prepare?Â
Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, alcohol, and certain supplements such as fish oil for 24 to 48 hours before your appointment. Come with clean skin and no makeup if possible. Your practitioner will give you a full pre-treatment checklist at consultation.
