Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Botulinum toxin, often referred to as Botox®  is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. The toxin blocks the transition of chemical messages sent from the nerve to cause the muscle to contract. Without these messages, the muscle stays in a resting state until the ‘messengers’ recover. This recovery takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks on average.

Licensed brands of botulinum toxin A include,’Azzalure®, Bocouture®, Botox®, Alluzience®, Letybo®, and Nuceiva®. All botulinum toxins are prescription only medicines (POM) and can only be prescribed by doctors, dentists, prescribing nurses and pharmacists with a prescribing qualification, following a face to face assessment and consultation with the qualified prescriber.

After treatment, it is expected that you will start to see an improvement within 2 or 3 days. The full result may be judged at 2-3 weeks. You may be invited to attend a review appointment at 2-3 weeks where the success of the treatment may be assessed and adjustments to your personal treatment plan will be made, if necessary.

You will be advised to keep the target muscles active for a few hours and to avoid extremes of heat or cold, vigorous exercise, lying down or leaning over for 4-6 hours.

It may not ‘completely freeze’ the expression, particularly if extreme effort is exerted to make an expression. Your practitioner will advise you that botulinum toxin is not suitable for lines present without expression (static lines).

There may be only a partial reduction in movement, as this very much depends on the amount of anti wrinkle treatment administered, and the location of product placement. Anti wrinkle injections are not a one size fits all treatment and may be tailored to suit your individual requirements and expected treatment outcomes. You should discuss this with your clinician at the time of consultation. 

Your practitioner will take a detailed medical history and an assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you. Botulinum Toxin (commonly referred to as Botox) is a prescription only medicine. This means that you MUST have a face-to-face consultation with a licensed prescriber to assess whether you are suitable for treatment. *This MUST be with a doctor, nurse prescriber, dentist, or a prescribing pharmacist.

• Except in exceptional circumstances, anti wrinkle injections are not a treatment recommended for those under 25 or over 65.
• For best results, skin should be in good condition and the target lines not too furrowed. Your practitioner will assess your suitability and advise.
• Botulinum toxin cannot be given to pregnant or breast-feeding women.
• Not suitable for patients with certain neurological disorders.
• Not suitable if you are currently taking certain medicines.
• If you have previously experienced adverse reactions to any botulinum toxin treatment.

With any injectable treatment:

• Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• If you are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• If you are currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Take Caution:

• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you.
• If you are planning to attend an important event and any adverse event described would be unacceptable to you, discuss with your clinician in advance of having a treatment for wrinkles.
• Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (make you more prone to bruising), as can alcohol, which should be avoided the day before and after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, and saunas should be avoided for 48 hours, or as advised by your clinician, after treatment.

If you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or are not happy with, please contact the practitioner for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment for wrinkles being agreed. Botulinum Toxin should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training. Side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Bruising
• Swelling at injection sites
• Redness at injection sites
• Asymmetry of expression
• Drooping of the brow, or eyelid (Ptosis)
• Headache or a sensation of ‘tightness’ or ‘heaviness’

Adverse events are uncommon, usually occur within a few days of treatment, and are expected to be temporary, usually resolving spontaneously within weeks. Your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

A very fine needle is used during anti wrinkle injections. Generally, this treatment is not painful and can be well tolerated with no anaesthetic. Ice may be helpful in numbing the skin for nervous patients as well as reducing the risk of a bruise.

Results tend to last 3-4 months after administration. Movement will begin recovering from 8 weeks. Frequent treatment for wrinkles intervals of less than 3 months is NOT recommended.

Prices for anti wrinkle injections are usually set per area of the face treated. These areas are commonly defined as:

• Forehead (horizontal lines across the forehead)
• Glabellar (vertical lines between the eyebrows)
• Crow's feet (fine lines around the eyes)

You should expect to pay between £150-£300 per treatment area. Many clinics and practitioners offer discounted rates if more than one treatment area is required. 

Beware of very cheap prices advertised online and on social media. Although they may seem tempting, cheap anti wrinkle injections may indicate that:

• The practitioner is not using licenced products
• They may not be a registered healthcare professional 
• They may not be insured. 

The best advance anti wrinkle treatment is to take preventative measures. For example:

• Use a strong SPF every day
• Moisturise
• Avoid smoking
• Minimise alcohol consumption
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Staying hydrated

Retinoids and other dermatological skincare options are available for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, a non-invasive option such as anti wrinkle injections might be considered for a fast and effective result at reducing the visibility of pre-existing lines.

At Save Face, we take the guess work out of selecting a non-surgical cosmetic practitioner. We know what to check and how to check it. All of the practitioners you will find using the Save Face search engine have passed a rigorous 116-point assessment process to ensure that: 

• They are who they say they are.
• They are a registered nurse/midwife, doctor, dentist or prescribing pharmacist with specialist training and insurance in each treatment listed on their profile.
• They use licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers.
• They have all of the necessary paperwork in place to protect you from undue risk and harm.
• Their clinic is safe and hygienic.

Click here to find your nearest Save Face accredited practitioner for the best anti wrinkle treatment.