Journal
Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most common aesthetic treatments, and also one of the most misunderstood. Here is a calm, honest explanation, with no hype. As a prescription treatment, it always requires a consultation first.
Anti-wrinkle injections use a botulinum toxin, a prescription medicine that temporarily relaxes specific muscles. By softening the muscle movement that creates certain lines, the skin above is given a chance to look smoother and more rested.
It works best on dynamic lines, the ones that appear when you move, such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. It is less suited to static lines that are present at rest, which may need a different approach. A good practitioner will tell you honestly what is realistic.
Because it is a prescription medicine, it can only be provided after a face to face consultation and an assessment of your suitability. We never offer it as an off the shelf purchase. This is a safety standard, not a formality.
Results are not instant; they typically develop over several days and settle over about two weeks. The effect is temporary and softens over a number of months, after which movement returns. Our aim is always a natural, refreshed look, never a frozen one.
It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with certain medical conditions. This is all checked at your consultation, which is why your honest medical history matters so much.
If you are considering treatment, book a consultation and we will talk through whether it is right for you.
Whatever treatment you are considering, make sure the person treating you is a registered healthcare professional. Not every treatment involves a prescription medicine: some, such as anti-wrinkle injections, are prescription only, while others, such as dermal fillers, skin boosters and polynucleotides, are not. Where a treatment is a prescription only medicine, it must be prescribed by a qualified prescriber who assesses you in person, because remote prescribing is not allowed. If your practitioner is not a prescriber, it is completely reasonable to ask who their prescriber is and whether that person will see you face to face. A registered nurse who is not an independent prescriber can still treat you safely, as long as a prescriber has assessed you first.
Thinking about treatment? Book a free, no-pressure consultation with Shelley.
Book a ConsultationThis article is general information, not medical advice. All treatments require a consultation and, where relevant, a prescription. 18+ only. Individual results may vary. Shelley Jones is a registered nurse (NMC).