Are you thinking about getting anti-wrinkle injections but aren’t sure exactly what happens during treatment?
You are not alone. Every year, millions of people consider getting anti-wrinkle injections but hold back because they aren’t sure what to expect.
Don’t worry…
Anti-wrinkle injections are actually one of the simplest cosmetic treatments to have. The entire process takes minutes, is relatively painless, and comes with zero downtime.
But what really happens during the treatment? And how do you prepare?
In this article, we break down each step of the anti-wrinkle injections process from consultation to treatment and beyond.
Quick Navigation
- What Happens Before The Treatment
- The Anti-Wrinkle Injection Process
- What To Expect After Treatment
- How Long Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Results Last?
- Who Should Get Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
- Choosing The Right Practitioner
What Happens Before The Treatment
The first thing that happens is… you meet with a practitioner for a consultation.
This is critical.
Your practitioner will examine your skin, discuss your goals, and recommend a tailored treatment plan. They will ask you about your medical history to ensure you are suitable for treatment.
During this time, you can ask any questions you have about the anti-wrinkle treatment process. They will explain what areas will be treated and how many units will be used.
Most consultations will include:
- Discussion on which areas you want to treat. For example, forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines, etc…
- Asking about medical history and current medication
- What results can you expect? They will be able to manage expectations here
- Price quote, depending on how many areas you would like to treat
Most clinics will show you before-and-after photos during the consultation, too. This helps patients understand exactly what the treatment can and can’t do.
The Anti-Wrinkle Injection Process
Now we are onto the part most people are worried about…
Guess what.
It’s over quickly!
The treatment itself only takes 15 to 30 minutes. Seriously, that’s not even a proper lunch break.
Your practitioner will start off by cleaning the areas they are going to treat. Some clinics offer ice or numbing cream, but this is not necessary. Most patients don’t use them either.
Once they’re cleaned, your practitioner will use a tiny needle to inject small amounts of botox to weaken the muscles. The needles used are tiny, so you will feel little more than a small pinch.
You might wonder…
Where do they inject?
The most common areas for anti-wrinkle injections are:
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines between your eyebrows
- Crow’s feet around your eyes
- Bunny lines on the nose
- Jawline to slim the face
Depending on how many areas you want treated, your injection session could be anywhere between five and twenty injections.
Keep in mind that anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide. According to Statista, 96 percent of patients are happy with their neurotoxin treatments.
Who wouldn’t be? Let’s take a look at aftercare…
What To Expect After Treatment
Here’s a fun fact most people don’t know…
There is no downtime.
You can walk out of your appointment and straight back to work or normal daily activities. There may be some redness on the injection areas. You may notice small bumps where the injections were applied. This will disappear after 20-30 minutes.
After the appointment, there are a few aftercare guidelines to follow:
- Avoid massaging or rubbing the treated areas for 24 hours
- Stay upright for the first four hours post-treatment
- Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
- Keep your face clean and avoid sweating
These rules are in place to make sure the product does not migrate from where it was injected. Follow them correctly, and you will have optimal results.
One last thing to note…
Patients often expect results immediately following treatment. Remember, the needles are relaxing your muscles. It takes time for them to fully kick in.
Most patients will start to notice improvements in 3-5 days. Maximum results are usually visible after 10-14 days.
How Long Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Results Last?
This all depends on the individual…
Results can last anywhere from three to four months.
After a few months, your muscles will slowly begin to move again. As the muscles move, you will slowly start to see those lines and wrinkles reappear. Once patients start to notice their results fading, they will book another appointment.
A nice benefit to getting regular treatments is that your results will start to last longer over time. As the muscles get used to being relaxed, patients find they don’t need injections as often.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (botulinum toxin procedures include botox and dermal fillers), there has been a massive 460 percent increase in people getting treatments between 2000 – 2020. Clearly, patients are loving their results and coming back for regular top ups.
How long your results last will depend on:
- How much is injected
- Where you get treated
- Your metabolism
- How strong your muscles are and how much you use them
- Exercise and sun exposure
For example, patients that get treated regularly may find their results don’t last as long the first time. Don’t worry, though, they will start to get longer with subsequent treatments.
Who Should Get Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
Contrary to popular belief, anti-wrinkle injections are not just for patients who already have wrinkles.
Many patients are now using injectables like anti-wrinkle injections as a preventative measure. By relaxing the muscles, you can stop wrinkles from becoming permanent.
Most suitable candidates include:
- Adults who are unhappy with expression lines on their forehead, eyes, or nose
- Patients who want a non-surgical alternative to facial wrinkles and aging
- Patients wanting to stop wrinkles from getting any deeper
- Those who want natural-looking results
This treatment is not recommended for pregnant/breastfeeding women. Patients who suffer from certain neurological conditions should consult their doctor.
A consultation will help identify if someone is suitable for treatment.
Choosing The Right Practitioner
We mention this in every article, but don’t want to stress it enough…
Choose the right practitioner.
Injection treatments should always be administered by a qualified professional. Remember, in the UK, anti-wrinkle injections are prescription-only. YOU cannot walk into a clinic and demand botox. You must have a one-on-one consultation with a doctor/prescriber before treatment.
Ensure your practitioner is a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist that has undergone training. Check they are qualified and read reviews before booking with a new clinic.
If someone is advertising extremely cheap prices online, RUN!
Bringing It All Together
Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of what happens when you get anti-wrinkle injections.
Here’s a quick recap:
- First comes the consultation. Discuss your goals and ensure you are suitable for treatment
- The actual injection process takes around 15-30 minutes
- Results normally take 10-14 days to show
- Lasts up to three-four months
Treatment is quick, easy and has some of the highest satisfaction rates. If you are considering getting treatment done, speak to your practitioner about your concerns.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and must not be treated as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. Open MedScience does not provide personalised healthcare recommendations and does not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional.
Anti-wrinkle injections involve prescription-only medicines in the UK and should only be administered following a face-to-face consultation with an appropriately qualified prescriber and trained practitioner. Individual suitability, risks, outcomes, and side effects vary from person to person and depend on medical history, anatomy, lifestyle, and other clinical factors. Results described in this article are not guaranteed.
Cosmetic injectable treatments carry potential risks, including but not limited to bruising, swelling, asymmetry, infection, allergic reactions, unwanted muscle weakness, and other rare complications. You should always discuss potential benefits, limitations, risks, and aftercare requirements with a licensed healthcare professional before proceeding with treatment.
Open MedScience accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the content of this article. Readers are advised to seek independent medical advice before making any decisions related to cosmetic or medical treatments.
If you experience unexpected symptoms or adverse effects following any injectable treatment, seek immediate medical attention.
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