What is it and how does it work?

Anti-wrinkle injections contain a chemical produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. They are used to relax specific muscles to improve the appearance of dynamic skin creases and wrinkles. When injected into a muscle, the active ingredient works by blocking the chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle. As a result, muscle contraction is weakened and skin creases are softened.

The face is the organ of expression. Over a lifetime, the skin overlying the facial muscles become creased in areas of greatest use. As we get older, the elastic and supportive components of skin diminish, and these creases become more permanent. These injections reduce the amount of muscle movement in these areas, giving the skin a chance to “rest” and recover. This allows lines to soften and even fade away.

Anti-wrinkle injections act as a habit breaker, breaking the cycle of subconscious overuse of certain facial muscles. This is a temporary and totally reversible treatment, and the effects of treatment depend on the dose used. These range from relaxation to total inability to move the injected muscles.

How is the treatment done?

The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. You will first be asked to use certain muscles to see how they crease the skin. The areas to be injected are then marked. Using a very fine short needle, injections are performed into the appropriate area. This can cause some slight but short-lived discomfort. Immediately after injection, the area can look a little red, with some very slight swelling, but this settles after an hour or two.

What happens after treatment?

You will need to exercise your facial muscles for an hour or two after injection. The injection sites can show mild swelling which may take up to 48 hours to completely subside. The relaxant effects start to occur after about 3-4 days, but will vary between individuals. Very occasionally, a delayed response of up to 10-14 days is seen.

The effects tend to peak at about 2-3 weeks, with maximal effect lasting up to about 6 weeks before gradually wearing off. Desired results can last anything from 2-6 months, with 3-4 months being the average.

Is the treatment safe?

This medication has been in medical use for over 50 years, when it was first used to treat patients with eye squints. Since then it has found a variety of medical uses, including cosmetic therapy. It has a proven safety record when administered by well trained and experienced doctors.

How much does it cost?

Here at the Minster Clinic, we believe in delivering value-for money. Our prices compare favourably to other providers, despite the fact that we are a CQC registered clinic and that all treatments are performed by experienced doctors. Prices for anti-wrinkle injections are as follows:

1 area - £190
2 areas - £250
3 areas - £290

(An area refers to either the frown lines, forehead lines or “crow’s feet” around the eyes)