Anti-wrinkle injections, using Botulinum Toxin, are one of our most popular treatments. They are also, consistently, the most popular non-surgical treatment every year, with an estimated 2 million procedures being carried out annually in the UK. This makes them more popular than dermal fillers. In this blog, I am going to answer the most commonly asked questions, which patients usually ask us in the clinic.
Are anti-wrinkle injections and Botox® the same thing?
Anti-wrinkle injections are carried out using a substance called botulinum toxin. This substance causes the muscles, into which it is injected, to relax, which helps to smooth out any fine lines and wrinkles. Botox® is a brand of botulinum toxin and the one that we use most commonly here in the clinic. Other brands include Azzalure®, Dysport®, and Bocouture®.
Are anti-wrinkle injections safe?
In a word, YES! Some people may experience some discomfort associated with the injections, such as pain and bruising, but this usually settles within a few hours of having the procedure done. Other side effects include headaches which can persist for a few days. Rarer side effects include drooping of the eyelid or the brow, but thankfully, this is usually temporary and resolves with time.
Botulinum Toxin is considered a prescription-only medicine and therefore, to ensure your safety and lessen the chance of any serious side effects occurring, it is always best to get your injections carried out by a trained medical professional. By doing this, it is also more likely that your practitioner will use a genuine product rather than a “Faux-tox” (“Fake-Botox”), which may be ineffective at treating your wrinkles and may even be more likely to cause serious side effects. (If you are unsure about your practitioners’ medical qualifications, you can always look them up online; doctors will be registered with the General Medical Council, dentists with the General Dental Council and nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council)
It is not recommended to have anti-wrinkle injections while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Where can you have anti-wrinkle injections?
The most common areas that people have treated are the forehead, the frown lines between the eyes and the smile lines that appear around the eyes, which are more noticeable when you smile. They can also be used to treat lines on top of the nose, which are sometimes known as ‘bunny lines’ and to reduce an excessive ‘gummy smile’.
Anti-wrinkle injections are known to improve excessive sweating and therefore, they can be used in the armpits, palms of the hands and soles of the feet to reduce the amount of sweat produced in these areas.
When should I start getting anti-wrinkle treatment?
There is no definite age at which you should start getting anti-wrinkle treatment, as we all age differently. My advice to patients is to start when the fine lines and wrinkles start to bother them. Our treatments are not licensed for anyone under the age of 18. Most of our patients start in their mid to late 20s, when the fine lines become more noticeable.
One concern many patients have is whether they will look ‘fake’ or ‘frozen’ after the treatment. We always aim to give our patients a natural, aesthetically pleasing result. In order to achieve this, we carefully tailor the injections and the dosage to your anatomy and the depth of your wrinkles. In addition to this, all patients are given a complimentary review at 2 weeks, where any tweaks can be carried out if they are necessary.
If you would like to start your anti-wrinkle journey with us, please click here to book an appointment. If you are unsure whether this treatment is the correct one for you, or you have more questions about our other treatments, please click here to book a consultation, where we can guide you as to most the suitable treatment option for you!