Anti-Wrinkle Injections FAQs

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injections are the most commonly performed cosmetic in the UK. They work by using small amounts of botulinum toxin to relax specific facial muscles, softening the dynamic lines 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 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 it isn’t folded and the line it was creating softens or . Over time, with consistent treatment, this can prevent lines from becoming permanent static .

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 systemic effect at doses. The effect is localised, temporary, and reverses as the body 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 lines in the upper face, where dominate. The most areas are:

Forehead lines — the horizontal lines caused by the muscle when raising the brows.

Glabellar lines ("the elevens") — the vertical lines the brows caused by the corrugator and procerus muscles. See our guide on .

Crow’s feet — the lines radiating from the outer corner of the eye, caused by the oculi. Our guide on covers the alternatives, but injectables remain the most direct treatment.

Bunny lines — the lines on the sides of the nose from the nasalis muscle. Our covers this in detail.

uses include jaw (relaxing an muscle), a gummy smile, the brow by one to two ( in our article), treating in the neck, and reducing chin .

Medical uses include (excessive sweating), chronic migraine, bruxism (jaw and grinding), and Bell’s palsy .

How quickly do anti-wrinkle injections work?

The initial effect appears at days three to five — you’ll notice the muscle 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 hasn’t worked. Almost always, it just hasn’t finished settling. Wait the full two weeks before or requesting any adjustment.

How long do the results last?

Most see effect for three to four months. Some longer duration — up to five months — depending on the dose used, how strong the target are, and individual .

There is some evidence that with consistent treatment over time, the muscles soften and may need less or longer to maintain the result. This effect is real but modest, and you shouldn’t expect dramatic changes in dosing after a few .

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 approach is to the next treatment just as the effect begins to wane, typically around the three-month mark. There are three for this:

Consistency of result. Maintenance build on the existing baseline rather than from each time. An can fine-tune doses based on what worked in the previous .

Muscle over time. Consistent treatment at intervals leads to a softening of the treated . Patients who a steady schedule generally need slightly less over time. Those who let the effect wear off completely between don’t benefit from this cumulative effect.

non-response. There is that full lapses in may, in some patients, the production of antibodies against the toxin, reducing future effectiveness. reduces this risk.

That said, letting the effect wear off completely is a legitimate choice for some . 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 schedule sometimes find the can slightly over time. with very strong facial muscles, particularly male patients, may need more treatment to the same effect.

Will my face look "frozen"?

Not when by an injector using a conservative dose. The frozen look comes from over-treatment — using too much product or too many at once. Good treatment preserves expression while the dynamic lines.

The first is 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 result, which has to be waited out.

Does the treatment hurt?

Most describe it as a brief at each injection point. No cream is needed for upper-face 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. alcohol, like ibuprofen, and fish oil supplements for 24 hours before bruising risk.

What should I avoid after treatment?

The first 24 hours matter most. Avoid:

These restrictions exist to 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 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 produces a more result.

, 0% APR, are available to spread the cost across a treatment plan.

Who is a good candidate?

injections suit:

The treatment is less effective for:

A establishes which combination of treatments your actual .

Who should not have anti-wrinkle injections?

The 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 or bumps at sites, mild headache for 24 hours, and occasionally a sensation of heaviness in the during the first week as the muscle into its relaxed state.

The most concerning rare complication is product to nearby muscles — particularly the 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 at the two-week mark — one side has responded more than the other. This is to address with a small top-up.

reactions to toxin formulations are rare but have been reported. Any unusual following — significant swelling, difficulty, rash — should prompt immediate medical .

Can I combine anti-wrinkle injections with other treatments?

Yes — and the most balanced results often come from combination . Common combinations include:

With dermal filler. Where deep static lines exist alongside dynamic lines (most 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 troughs that anti-wrinkle can’t.

With energy-based skin . and address skin quality, texture, and pigmentation — the changes that don’t influence. muscle relaxation with a more complete result than either alone.

With . and treatments improve dermal quality from within, complementing the muscle work done by Anti-Wrinkle for Men .

With surgery. Anti-wrinkle injections are commonly used as after surgical like or to the result.

How is the consultation structured?

At Centre for Surgery, a first consultation includes:

We don’t push on patients who don’t need it. If your would be better addressed by skincare, surgery, or non-treatment, we say so. The aim is the that genuinely helps.

For complex cases or where the is whether would be more appropriate, you may be seen by one of our specialist surgeons including .

How do I book?

Call or . We’ll a at our . Many patients have their first the same day if they choose to .

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Centre for is a private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering and surgery through GMC-registered surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body 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 surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.

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