Botulinum Toxin Treatments
Softening expression lines without losing your expression.
Botulinum toxin is injected in small doses into targeted facial muscles to temporarily reduce their contraction. This slows the deepening of lines caused by muscle movement. The effect is not permanent; muscle strength returns over time and the treatment can be repeated.
At a glance
- Session length
- 15–20 minutes
- Sessions
- Single session; review after 2 weeks
- Effect begins
- Begins on day 3–5, full effect at day 14
- Duration of effect
- Typically 3–5 months, varies by person and area
- Recovery
- None; you return to normal activity the same day
- Anaesthesia
- Not required; the needles are very fine
Who it is suitable for
Who it is suitable for
- People with pronounced forehead, frown or crow’s feet lines
- Those wanting a preventive approach before lines become fixed
- People with jaw clenching or night-time teeth grinding (masseter treatment)
- People with excessive sweating (underarms, palms)
Who it is not suitable for
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis
- Active infection at the treatment site
- Known allergy to any component of the product
- Use of certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides), which can amplify the effect
- Lines caused by sagging — botulinum toxin does not correct laxity
Step by step
Before your appointment
Tell us about all medication you take, particularly muscle relaxants and antibiotics. Avoiding alcohol for 24 hours beforehand reduces the chance of bruising. Plan the session at least two weeks before any important event.
On the day
You will be asked to make facial expressions so that muscle strength and the direction of your lines can be assessed. Dose and injection points are set accordingly — the same template is not applied to everyone.
During the procedure
Small doses are delivered to the marked points with very fine needles. Each point takes less than a second. The whole procedure is 15–20 minutes. Most people describe a brief prick rather than pain.
How you will feel afterwards
Small bumps and redness at the injection points settle within 20–30 minutes. The effect is not immediate: it begins on day 3–5 and the full result appears at day 14. Patience is needed during this period.
Follow-up
Do not lie down or rub the area for four hours. Avoid sauna, steam rooms and intense exercise for 24 hours. At the day-14 review the result is assessed and a small top-up dose added if needed.
Risks and side effects
The following can occur with this treatment. Most are temporary; the rare and serious ones are noted separately.
- Short-lived redness and small bruises at injection points
- Headache in the first days — temporary
- Temporary drooping of the eyelid or brow — rare; resolves as the effect wears off
- Asymmetry — correctable at the review appointment
- A changed smile or expression, related to over-dosing — temporary
Frequently asked questions
Will my face look frozen or expressionless?
A frozen look comes from excessive dosing and poorly chosen points, not from the treatment itself. When the dose is matched to your muscle strength, movement is preserved and only line formation softens. Starting conservatively and topping up at day 14 is the safer approach.
If I stop, will my lines get worse?
No. When the effect wears off the muscles regain their previous strength and lines return to how they were before — they do not become worse. If anything, because deepening slowed during treatment, the starting point is often slightly better.
How often should it be repeated?
Usually every four to six months. More frequent repetition is unnecessary and is not advised, as it may increase the chance of developing resistance. How long the effect lasts varies with muscle strength, metabolism and how much you exercise.
Is it also used for jaw clenching?
Yes. Botulinum toxin applied to the masseter muscle aims to reduce muscle pain from clenching and night-time grinding. Over time it can also slim the jaw contour. It is best planned alongside a dental assessment.