Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Botulinum Toxin Treatment

What are Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections use botulinum toxin (commonly known by brand names such as Botox, Azzalure, Bocouture, and Dysport) to temporarily relax overactive facial muscles. When these muscles are relaxed, the overlying skin smooths out, reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles — lines that form through repeated facial expressions such as frowning, squinting, and smiling.

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine in England. This means it can only be prescribed by a registered doctor, dentist, pharmacist prescriber, or nurse prescriber following a face-to-face consultation. It cannot legally be administered by a non-prescriber without a valid prescription from a qualified clinician.

What can be treated?

Anti-wrinkle injections are most commonly used to treat the upper face, where dynamic wrinkles are most pronounced:

• Forehead lines: Horizontal lines caused by raising the eyebrows.
• Frown lines (glabellar lines): The vertical lines between the brows, often called "11 lines".
• Crow's feet: The fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes.
• Brow lift: A small dose above the lateral brow can create a subtle lift.
• Bunny lines: Lines across the bridge of the nose.
• Lip lines and lip flip: Softening lines around the mouth or slightly everting the upper lip.
• Chin dimpling: Smoothing a pebbled or "orange peel" chin texture.
• Neck bands (Nefertiti lift): Relaxing the platysma bands in the neck.
• Hyperhidrosis: Treating excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, or feet.
• Masseter reduction (jaw slimming): Reducing the size of the masseter muscle for a slimmer jawline or to treat teeth grinding (bruxism).

What to expect — the process

• Consultation: A prescriber must assess your medical history, current medications, and suitability before prescribing. This should happen at a separate appointment or at minimum before the treatment begins.
• The treatment: A series of small injections are placed into the target muscles using a very fine needle. The procedure takes 10–20 minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a small sting or pinch.
• Onset: Results begin to appear within 3–5 days and reach their peak effect at around 10–14 days.
• Duration: Results typically last 3–4 months, though this varies by individual metabolism, muscle mass, and the area treated. With regular treatment, results may last longer over time.
• Downtime: There is no significant downtime. Small needle marks or minor bruising may occur but typically resolve within 24–48 hours.

How much do anti-wrinkle injections cost across England?

Region	1 Area	3 Areas
London	£150–£250	£250–£450
South East	£120–£200	£200–£380
Midlands	£100–£180	£180–£320
North West	£100–£180	£180–£320
Yorkshire	£90–£170	£160–£300

How to choose a clinic

Because botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine, your practitioner must be a registered prescriber. Always check their registration on the GMC, NMC, GDC, or GPhC register. Ask whether a separate consultation is offered before treatment, and confirm that the clinic has a medical director and appropriate protocols for managing complications.

Visit our full safety guide for the complete list of questions to ask before booking any aesthetic treatment.

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