Anti-wrinkle injections

The treatment affects muscle movement so these lines will not disappear, however, they may appear softer after treatment.

You will have a face-to-face consultation with the doctor who will be prescribing the medication. They will go through your medical history, medications you take, any allergies you may have, and any previous treatments you have had. They will go through the details of the treatment and the benefits and risks as well. They should offer you time to consider the treatment as this is the standard General Medical Council protocol for any treatment.

The needles I use are very small and so discomfort is minimal.

Straight after the injection, you will notice slight bumps at the injection sites but these will settle within half an hour. Some people report a headache, facial pain, itching and tenderness at injection sites, rash, fatigue, and even a flu-like illness after the treatment. There is a risk related to having a needle piercing the skin and that does include infection and bleeding but these are minimised by carrying out the treatment in a clean environment and cleaning the skin prior to the procedure. It is very rare to have an anaphylactic reaction to botulinum toxin but I always have an adrenaline available in the very unlikely event of this occurring.

If you experience any of the following please contact the doctor immediately or call 999.

1. If you develop difficulty swallowing, speech or breathing difficulty.
2. If you develop a severe allergic reaction.

Depending on how prone you are to bruising you might get some bruising that will settle after a few days. You should avoid alcohol and excessive exercise for at least 24 hours after the treatment as this will increase blood flow to the area and dilute the medication, making the treatment less effective. You must also avoid facials and makeup to avoid the risk of infection. Your aftercare will be explained in more detail at the face-to-face consultation and in your email.

The effects are never visible immediately. It takes about 4-5 days to start seeing some effects but 2 weeks after the procedure you should be able to see the full effect, and this is also the time that most practitioners advise a face-to-face review.

Complications usually arise if the product is introduced to the wrong area or muscle. Incorrect placement can result in a brow drop or lid droop with forehead treatment or an asymmetrical smile with lower face treatments. But these effects are usually reversed as the drug wears off, normally within 2-3 months. Sometimes the eyebrow position may be altered causing the outer edge to be more raised, but this is desired in some people and it can be corrected afterward. You will always have Dr Tash’s personal number to contact at any time for your reassurance.

Yes, the injections are exactly the same but men usually need a higher dose per injection as they generally have stronger frown muscles.

The drug is licensed for ages 18 to 65. We would not treat anyone below the age of 18. For those over the age of 65, some find it effective and would consider having the treatment. You cannot have treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you suffer from some neuromuscular disorders. That is why the medical history is very important.

The results of your treatment can last for up to 3 to 4 months depending on your individual metabolism, lifestyle, smoking and sun exposure.

Although the results are visible, the treatment will not radically change your facial appearance. The muscle activity that causes your lines is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised, just without the wrinkles and creases.

No. Once the effects wear off, you return to your normal appearance but you may appear to have more wrinkles because you’ve had less over the time you have been having treatment. Some people have the treatment regularly, for example twice or three times a year, to maintain their appearance.

Yes. The treatment is not affected by skin colour.

Botulinum toxin has been safely used to treat medical conditions like bladder problems, migraines, and excessive underarm sweating for many years. For cosmetic treatments the results vary among individuals and repeated treatments are necessary to maintain the effects.