Wrinkle Relaxing FAQs: Anti-wrinkle Injections Explained

Q. How do anti-wrinkle treatments work?

A. Botox is just one of many brands of botulinum toxin - an injectable substance that is used as an anti-wrinkle treatment. It’s injected into the target area to reduce movement in the muscle, which leads to smoother skin with reduced lines and wrinkles. Other brands of botulinum toxin include Vistabel, Dysport, Azzalure, Xeomin and Bocouture.

Muscles contract when they get a message from a nerve 'telling them' to contract. Botulinum toxin prevents this message from passing from the nerve to the muscle, so the muscle becomes temporarily paralysed.

This reduced the movement, folding and scrunching of the skin above the muscle, so the lines are softened.

In time, the toxin is broken down and movement returns.

Q. What are the main benefits of wrinkle relaxing?

A. The main benefit it its ability to smooth lines and wrinkles, giving a smoother appearance to the skin. However, it is also used medically for issues including migraines, TMJ, cervical dystonia and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

Q. What is "an area"?

A. Anti-wrinkle injections are used on dynamic lines, so you can treat forehead lines, frown lines (AKA 11s), and crow’s feet, lipstick lines and bunny lines. It’s effective at significantly reducing lines and wrinkles in these areas. For static lines and wrinkles, dermal fillers are used instead.

But it's not only used for cosmetic reasons. It's used in tonnes of medical instances too! It can be used for migraine, sweating, TMJ and loads more.

Q. What are the main side effects?

A. Anti-wrinkle injections are FDA-approved, meaning lots of research has been conducted on them to ensure they are safe for use. However, after anti-wrinkle treatment, it’s common to experience redness, pinprick marks and sometimes bruising, but these should subside relatively quickly. If you notice prolonged bruising, irritation or infection around the area, drooping or difficulty swallowing, call your practitioner right away so they can provide you with the advice and aftercare you need.

Be sure to avoid exercise, alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen for the next 24 hours, and don’t rub the treated area as it can lead to the toxin moving. Find out more about the dos and don’ts before and after here.

Q. How long is an appointment?

A. The actual injections are relatively quick and straightforward, and take around just 15 minutes. However, prior to your treatment, you should expect an in-depth and thorough medical consultation with your practitioner. So allow for around an hour for a wrinkle relaxing appointment.

Q. How long does it take to work?

A. How long it takes for it to kick in varies from person to person, but it generally takes around 3 to 14 days before it kicks in. When this happens, you’ll start to see minimised lines and wrinkles.

Q. Is there any downtime?

A. There’s no downtime with anti-wrinkle injections, which means you can get on with your day as normal. However, because you might experience some redness or pin prick marks afterwards, you might not want to do it right before a big event.

Q. Does it hurt?

A. The needles used are extremely small, so shouldn’t be uncomfortable. Of course, everyone’s pain threshold is different, so if you have a particularly low pain tolerance, it may be worth taking paracetamol around an hour before your appointment. You should avoid ibuprofen and other blood thinning medication, though, as this can lead to increased bruising. Occasionally, numbing cream may be used in cases where pain threshold levels are particularly low.

Q. Who can perform wrinkle-relaxing injections?

A. Anti-wrinkle injections, use prescription only medicine and should only be performed by appropriately qualified, trained and insured practitioners, as they require expert skill and experience. You should also have a face-to-face consultation with the prescriber prior to your treatment.

When conducted by an expert, wrinkle relaxing injections are safe and effective, but in the wrong hands, could be very dangerous.

Q. What’s the difference between anti-wrinkle injections and fillers?

A. Wrinkle relaxing injections and dermal fillers can both be used to rejuvenate the skin, but, in fact, they work in different ways. Botulinum Toxin is a prescription only medicine, which relaxes the muscles, reducing movement which minimises dynamic lines, such as forehead lines and 11s. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are also injectable treatments, but they work by plumping up lines to smooth them out. Fillers are also used for enhancing features such as the nose, jawline and lips.

Q. Will I be frozen?

A. One of the biggest concerns people have with wrinkle-relaxing treatments is that they think it will give them a ‘frozen’ look or 'Botox face', removing their ability to make facial expressions as usual. This comes down to how much is used. If a practitioner uses too much, this can happen. However, when it’s performed by an experienced, medically qualified practitioner, the treatment should look natural, still allowing you to express your emotions.

Q. How long does it last?

A. The effects vary from person to person as people metabolise it at different rates. However, on average, the anti-wrinkle injection lasts between 3-4 months, after which you’ll start to see lines and wrinkles return.

Q. When should I start getting wrinkle relaxing treatments?

A. There's no time where you SHOULD get ANY aesthetic treatment, but people often start getting wrinkle relaxing treatments from their 30s+, when dynamic fine lines and wrinkles are more visible. This prevents the skin from folding and creasing, giving a younger look. Some people get toxin treatments from their mid-20s as a preventative measure - minimising lines before they have a chance to form. But it’s always best to speak to a medically qualified practitioner, have a thorough consultation, to see what treatment they recommend for you.

Q. Can I have the treatment if I’m pregnant?

A. Botulinum toxin treatments are not suitable for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant. This is due to the fact that there is not enough known about the impact of the toxin on babies and their health. No ethical medical practitioner will conduct anti-wrinkle treatments on a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.

Q. Do I need to let my practitioner know about any illnesses before my appointment?

A. You will be asked to complete a detailed health questionnaire before your appointment to assess whether the treatment is right for you. There may be other treatment options available to you.

You should let your practitioner know if you have a muscular disease such as Bell’s Palsy or any nervous system or blood disorders. You should also tell them about any medications you are taking as these may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment, and vice versa. This is particularly important if you are taking medications that affect blood clotting. You should also tell them about any psychological concerns you have.

Q. Where can I find a practitioner near me?

Like the sound of the anti-wrinkle treatment and what it could do for you but not sure where to go for treatment? You've probably googled "Botox near me" but might still be unsure - I mean, that's a whole lot of clinics and info to go through. And how do you know who's safe and who isn't? You can now search for the treatment of lines and wrinkles on Glowday! We only list medically qualified aesthetic practitioners, and you can find a whole load of Botox before and after images and reviews on practitioner profiles. Check them out now!

Book your consultation for the treatment of lines and wrinkles now! We have around 900 medically qualified aesthetic practitioners to choose from, so you're in safe hands.

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