Anti-Wrinkle Injections FAQs
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Anti-wrinkle are the most commonly performed cosmetic treatment in the UK. They work by using small amounts of botulinum toxin to relax specific facial muscles, softening the dynamic onabotulinumtoxinaabobotulinumtoxinaincobotulinumtoxinaprabotulinumtoxinaletibotulinumtoxinarimabotulinumtoxinbhyaluronic acid fillerscalcium hydroxylapatite fillerspoly-l-lactic acid Fillerspolymethylmethacrylate fillersautologous fat graftingforehead lines treatmentglabellar frown lines treatmentcrow’s feet treatmentbunny lines treatmentchemical brow liftlip flipgummy smile correctionmasseter reductionjaw slimmingdimpled chin smoothingcobblestone chin smoothingnefertiti neck liftmicro-botoxmesotoxhyperhidrosis treatmentchronic migraine reliefbruxism treatmenttmj treatmentcervical dystonia treatmentneck spasm treatmentblepharospasm treatmentlip augmentationlip contouringcheekbone enhancementtear trough fillersnasolabial fold softeningmarionette line fillersliquid rhinoplastynon-surgical nose jobjawline contouringjawline definitionchin augmentationtemple volumisinghand rejuvenationacne scar subcision filling they create when contracted. The treatment is well-evidenced, predictable, and — in the hands of an experienced injector — has a low risk profile.
This is a comprehensive answer to the questions patients most often ask in consultations: what the treatment actually does, who it suits, what to expect, how long it lasts, what it costs, what to avoid afterwards, and where its honest limits are.
How do anti-wrinkle injections work?
Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the chemical signal (acetylcholine) that tells a muscle to contract. When the muscle can’t contract, the skin overlying it isn’t repeatedly folded and the dynamic line it was creating softens or disappears. Over time, with consistent treatment, this can prevent dynamic lines from becoming static wrinkles.
The toxin is delivered in tiny quantities through a fine needle directly into the specific target muscle. It doesn’t travel through the body and has no general systemic effect at cosmetic doses. The effect is localised, temporary, and reverses as the body metabolises the product over three to four months.
For a fuller explanation of how lines develop and which treatments suit which stage, see our guide to .
Which areas can be treated?
work best on dynamic lines in the upper face, where movement-driven wrinkles dominate. The most commonly treated areas are:
Forehead lines — the horizontal lines caused by the frontalis muscle when raising the brows.
Glabellar lines (“the elevens”) — the vertical lines between the brows caused by the corrugator and procerus muscles. See our dedicated guide on .
Crow’s feet — the lines radiating from the outer corner of the eye, caused by the orbicularis oculi. Our guide on covers the alternatives, but injectables remain the most direct treatment.
Bunny lines — the diagonal lines on the sides of the nose from the nasalis muscle. Our covers this in detail.
Non-wrinkle uses include jaw slimming (relaxing an overactive masseter muscle), softening a gummy smile, lifting the brow by one to two millimetres (covered in our article), treating platysmal banding in the neck, and reducing chin .
Medical uses include hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), chronic migraine, bruxism (jaw and grinding), and Bell’s palsy asymmetry.
How quickly do anti-wrinkle injections work?
The initial effect appears at days three to five — you’ll notice the treated muscle becoming less mobile when you try to frown or raise your brows. The full result is visible at around 14 days.
Patients often book follow-ups at day two or three worried that the treatment hasn’t worked. Almost always, it just hasn’t finished settling. Wait the full two weeks before assessing or requesting any adjustment.
How long do the results last?
Most patients see meaningful effect for three to four months. Some experience longer duration — occasionally up to five months — on the dose used, how strong the target muscles are, and individual metabolism.
There is some evidence that with consistent treatment over time, the treated muscles soften and patients may need slightly less product or longer intervals between sessions to maintain the result. This effect is real but modest, and you shouldn’t expect dramatic changes in dosing requirements after a few sessions.
Should I let my anti-wrinkle injections wear off completely before the next session?
For most patients aiming to maintain a steady, refreshed appearance, no — the most effective approach is to schedule the next treatment just as the effect begins to wane, typically around the three-month mark. There are three reasons for this:
Consistency of result. Maintenance treatments build on the existing baseline rather than starting from scratch each time. An experienced injector can fine-tune doses based on what worked in the previous session.
Muscle weakening over time. Consistent treatment at regular intervals leads to a gradual softening of the treated muscles. Patients who a steady schedule need slightly less product over time. Those who let the effect wear off completely between sessions don’t benefit from this cumulative effect.
Avoiding secondary . There is evidence that repeated full lapses in treatment may, in some patients, the production of antibodies against the toxin, reducing future effectiveness. Consistency reduces this risk.
That said, letting the effect wear off completely is a legitimate choice for some patients. Common reasons include:
Neither approach is medically wrong. The decision depends on what you’re trying to .
How often will I need treatment?
Every three to four months on average. Patients on a consistent schedule sometimes find the can stretch slightly over time. Patients with very strong facial muscles, particularly male patients, may need more frequent treatment to maintain the same effect.
Will my face look “frozen”?
Not when treated by an experienced injector using a conservative dose. The frozen look comes from over-treatment — using too much product or treating too many muscles at once. Good treatment preserves natural expression while softening the lines.
The first session is typically conservative for this reason: it’s far easier to add a small top-up at two weeks if more relaxation is needed than to reverse an over-treated result, which has to be waited out.
Does the treatment hurt?
Most patients describe it as a brief pinprick at each injection point. No numbing cream is needed for upper-face treatment because the needles used are very fine and the injections are quick. Mild bumps appear at each site and settle within 15 minutes.
Mild bruising is possible — particularly for crow’s feet, where small superficial can be nicked. If a bruise occurs, it usually resolves within a few days. Avoiding alcohol, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, and fish oil supplements for 24 hours before treatment reduces bruising risk.
What should I avoid after treatment?
The first 24 hours matter most. Avoid:
These restrictions exist to prevent the product from migrating to nearby muscles before it has bound to its target. For a full guide, see .
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on how many areas are treated and the number of units required. As a guide, treatment of one area (forehead, glabella, or crow’s feet) typically starts from around £200. Treating all three together usually works out more cost-effective than booking each area separately, and a more balanced result.
, including 0% APR, are available to spread the cost across a treatment plan.
Who is a good candidate?
Anti-wrinkle injections suit:
The treatment is less effective for:
A consultation establishes which combination of treatments matches your actual concerns.
Who should not have anti-wrinkle injections?
The contraindications are:
For more on the age question, see our guide on .
What are the risks and side effects?
The most common side effects are mild and short-lived: small bruising or bumps at injection sites, mild headache for 24 hours, and occasionally a sensation of heaviness in the forehead during the first week as the muscle settles into its relaxed state.
The most concerning rare complication is product migration to nearby muscles — particularly the levator palpebrae superioris (the muscle that lifts the eyelid), which can cause temporary eyelid droop (ptosis) lasting several weeks. This is rare with careful technique and good post-treatment care. If it occurs, prescription eyedrops can help in some cases, but the underlying issue resolves only when the toxin wears off.
Asymmetry is occasionally noticed at the two-week mark — one side has responded more than the other. This is straightforward to address with a small top-up.
reactions to botulinum toxin formulations are extremely rare but have been reported. Any symptoms following treatment — significant swelling, breathing difficulty, generalised rash — should prompt immediate medical attention.
Can I combine anti-wrinkle injections with other treatments?
Yes — and the most balanced results often come from combination treatment. Common combinations include:
With dermal filler. Where deep static lines exist alongside dynamic lines (most commonly the glabella), a small amount of filler placed within the static line itself completes what muscle relaxation alone can’t smooth. also address volume loss in the cheeks, temples, and tear that anti-wrinkle injections can’t.
With energy-based skin treatments. and address skin quality, texture, and pigmentation — the surface-level changes that injectables don’t influence. Combining muscle relaxation with energy-based treatment produces a more complete result than either alone.
With . and treatments improve dermal quality from within, complementing the muscle work done by anti-wrinkle injections.
With surgery. Anti-wrinkle injections are commonly used as after surgical procedures like or to maintain the result.
How is the consultation structured?
At Centre for Surgery, a typical first consultation includes:
We don’t push treatment on patients who don’t need it. If your concerns would be better addressed by skincare, surgery, or non-treatment, we say so. The aim is the lightest intervention that helps.
For complex cases or where the question is surgery would be more appropriate, you may be seen by one of our surgeons including .
How do I book?
Call or . We’ll arrange a consultation at our . Many patients have their first treatment the same day if they choose to proceed.
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Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.
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