Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Anti-wrinkle injections are used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment is administered based on areas of the face and performed by a medical professional. At Berkshire Aesthetics the procedure is performed by either Dr Langdon or Dr Paris, both experts in facial aesthetics. Dr langdon trained in Plastic surgery while Dr Paris is dual qualified as both a dentist and a doctor specialising in facial surgery in the NHS.

Anti-wrinkle injections are used in aesthetics to smooth crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines, diminish neck bands, improve the appearance of skin dimpling of the chin, lift the corners of the mouth and correct a gummy smile.

Anti-wrinkle injections are also used to treat a number of medical conditions including blepharospasm, Idiopathic cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), hemifacial spasm, leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.

Anti-wrinkle injections work by blocking 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.

People often request the injections to treat lines and wrinkles. The treatment can be used in the following areas of the face:

• wrinkles between the eyebrows, called frown lines, glabellar lines, or elevens
• wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow’s feet
• horizontal creases in the forehead
• lines at the corners of the mouth
• “cobblestone” skin on the chin

Typically patients start having treatment with anti-wrinkle injections once lines and wrinkles begin to appear when the face is at rest and can be used in lower doses at a younger age to prevent lines becoming deep or heavy.

Treatment with anti-wrinkle injections take around 30 minutes.

Some patients may experience a mild stinging sensation form the injection but the discomfort experienced is minimal as a very fine needle is used. No local anaesthetic is required. Any small bumps at the site of injection usually resolve within 30 minutes, with no significant downtime.

Typically, one session is recommended every 3 to 4 months. Over time the treatment will wear off and you will notice movement slowly come back. 

Prior to your appointment we ask that patients should do the following:

• Avoid wearing make-up / fake tan to your appointment
• Avoid excessive sun exposure 4 weeks prior to treatment
• Avoid using Retinol and active creams 48 hours prior to treatment
• Avoid abrasive treatments such as laser, waxing and chemical peels 2 weeks prior to treatment. 

Anti-wrinkle injections were first approved for use in 1989 and when delivered by an experienced medical professional are very safe.

Anti-wrinkle injections involve no downtime and you can usually return to your normal activities straight away. Any small bumps at the site of injection usually resolve within 30 minutes. 

Most side effects of anti-wrinkle injections are usually temporary and restricted to the area of injection. It is important that you only allow registered medical professionals to perform anti-wrinkle injections to ensure that the procedure is performed safely, and any issues can be resolved effectively. Common side effects include, redness, bruising, swelling and headache. Rarely there can be drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, with possible double vision which is very rare.

The effect of the treatment will begin around three days but take up to 14 days to be fully active.

Do not rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours. This may help prevent the toxin from spreading to a different area. You can return to your normal activities right after the procedure.

to minimise the risk of side effects:

• Avoid significant movement, massage, or compression of the treated area for a minimum of 48 hours
• Avoid sun exposure and excessive heat for 1 week.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid consuming alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid blood thinning medication (Aspirin, ibuprofen) for 48 hours post treatment