anti-wrinkle-injections-faqs

Anti-Wrinkle Injections FAQs
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injections are the most commonly performed cosmetic in the UK. They work by using small of botulinum toxin to relax facial muscles, the lines they create when contracted. The is well-evidenced, predictable, and — in the hands of an experienced — has a low risk .
This is a comprehensive answer to the questions most often ask in consultations: what the does, who it suits, what to expect, how long it lasts, Sunekos Revive 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 . When the muscle can’t contract, the skin overlying it isn’t folded and the dynamic line it was creating softens or disappears. Over time, with consistent treatment, this can prevent dynamic lines from permanent static wrinkles.
The toxin is in tiny quantities through a fine needle 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 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 wrinkles dominate. The most commonly treated areas are:
Forehead lines — the lines caused by the frontalis muscle when raising the brows.
Glabellar lines (« the elevens ») — the lines between the brows caused by the corrugator and muscles. See our guide on .
Crow’s feet — the lines from the outer corner of the eye, caused by the oculi. Our guide on covers the alternatives, but injectables remain the most direct .
Bunny lines — the lines on the sides of the nose from the muscle. Our covers this in detail.
Non-wrinkle uses include jaw ( an muscle), softening a gummy smile, lifting the brow by one to two millimetres ( in our article), treating platysmal banding in the neck, and reducing chin dimpling.
Medical uses (excessive sweating), migraine, (jaw clenching 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 becoming less mobile when you try to frown or raise your brows. The full result is visible at around 14 days.
often book at day two or three that the treatment hasn’t worked. Almost always, it just hasn’t finished settling. Wait the full two weeks before assessing or any adjustment.

How long do the results last?

Most see effect for three to four months. Some experience longer — occasionally up to five months — depending on the dose used, how strong the target muscles are, and individual metabolism.
There is some that with over time, the treated muscles soften and 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 .

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 is to schedule the next just as the effect begins to wane, typically around the three-month mark. There are three for this:
of result. treatments build on the existing baseline rather than starting from each time. An experienced injector can fine-tune doses based on what worked in the previous .
Muscle weakening over time. Consistent at leads to a gradual of the treated . Patients who maintain a steady schedule generally need slightly less over time. Those who let the effect wear off completely between sessions don’t benefit from this effect.
Avoiding secondary non-response. There is that full lapses in may, in some patients, trigger the production of antibodies against the toxin, reducing future . Consistency this risk.
That said, letting the effect wear off completely is a choice for some . Common reasons include:
Neither approach is wrong. The decision on what you’re trying to .

How often will I need treatment?

Every three to four months on . on a schedule sometimes find the interval can slightly over time. Patients with very strong facial muscles, particularly male patients, may need more to 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 natural expression while softening the lines.
The first 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 result, which has to be waited out.

Does the treatment hurt?

Most patients describe it as a brief at each point. No numbing 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 is possible — particularly for crow’s feet, where small vessels can be nicked. If a bruise occurs, it usually within a few days. Avoiding alcohol, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, and fish oil for 24 hours before reduces bruising risk.

What should I avoid after treatment?

The first 24 hours matter most. Avoid:
These 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?

depends on how many areas are treated and the number of units required. As a guide, of one area (forehead, glabella, or crow’s feet) starts from around £200. Treating all three together usually works out more 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?

Anti-wrinkle injections suit:
The 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 sites, mild headache for 24 hours, and 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 (the muscle that lifts the eyelid), which can cause temporary eyelid droop (ptosis) several weeks. This is rare with careful technique and good care. If it occurs, prescription can help in some cases, but the underlying issue resolves only when the toxin wears off.
is noticed at the two-week mark — one side has responded more than the other. This is straightforward to address with a small top-up.
Allergic to botulinum toxin formulations are extremely rare but have been reported. Any unusual symptoms following — significant swelling, breathing difficulty, rash — should prompt immediate attention.

Can I combine anti-wrinkle injections with other treatments?

Yes — and the most balanced results often come from . Common combinations include:
With dermal filler. Where deep static lines exist alongside lines (most commonly the glabella), a small amount of filler placed within the static line itself what muscle alone can’t smooth. also volume loss in the cheeks, temples, and tear troughs that injections can’t.
With energy-based skin . and address skin quality, texture, and pigmentation — the surface-level changes that don’t . muscle with energy-based a more complete result than either alone.
With biostimulators. and treatments improve dermal from within, complementing the muscle work done by .
With . Anti-wrinkle injections are commonly used as maintenance after surgical procedures like or to the result.

How is the consultation structured?

At Centre for Surgery, a first includes:
We don’t push 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 intervention that genuinely helps.
For complex cases or where the question is whether surgery would be more appropriate, you may be seen by one of our specialist plastic surgeons including .

How do I book?

Call or . We’ll arrange a consultation at our . Many have their first treatment the same day if they choose to proceed.
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Centre for is a private hospital on London’s Baker Street, and through specialist . Our expertise spans facial 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 hospital on London’s iconic , and led by consultant .

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