Written and medically reviewed by Hassan Khan, MPharm — independent prescriber (GPhC registration 1126145).

What are anti-wrinkle injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections are a quick, prescriber-led treatment that softens the lines caused by your everyday facial expressions — the horizontal lines across the forehead, the vertical “frown” lines between the brows, and the fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes. They work by using a prescription-only medicine to gently and temporarily relax the small muscles that fold the skin when you frown, squint or raise your brows.

Because the medicine involved is prescription-only, it can only be given after a prescriber has assessed you and decided the treatment is appropriate. That is not red tape — it is the safeguard that keeps the treatment safe.

How do anti-wrinkle injections work?

Every time you make an expression, the muscles under the skin contract and crease the surface. Repeated over many years, those creases settle into lines that stay visible even when your face is relaxed. A tiny, carefully measured dose of the muscle-relaxing medicine reduces that repeated movement in the treated area, so the skin is folded less and the lines above it have a chance to soften. The effect is temporary and it is targeted — only the muscles agreed at your consultation are treated, so you keep a natural range of expression.

What can they treat?

The most commonly asked-about areas are the upper face:

• Forehead lines — the horizontal lines when you lift your brows.
• Frown lines — the vertical lines between the eyebrows.
• Crow’s feet — the lines at the outer corners of the eyes.

You can read more about these in our guide to the three areas.

How are they different from dermal fillers?

This is the most common mix-up. Anti-wrinkle injections relax muscles to soften expression lines. Dermal fillers add volume to restore fullness or reshape a feature. They are different treatments for different concerns, and some people are suited to one, some to the other, and some to neither. A good consultation is about working out which — if any — is right for you.

Are they safe?

When they are prescribed and administered appropriately, by trained professionals, after a proper assessment, anti-wrinkle injections have a long record of use. Like any treatment they carry some risks, usually mild and temporary — a little redness or a small bruise at an injection point, for example. The single most important safety step is the assessment beforehand, which is exactly why we never skip it.

Who can have them?

They are suitable for adults aged 18 and over, following a prescriber assessment. They are not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or where certain medical conditions or allergies apply. If your main concern is skin quality or lost volume rather than expression lines, your prescriber may suggest a different option such as skin boosters instead.

What happens at a consultation?

Your first appointment is a conversation, not a treatment. We take a short medical history, talk through what is bothering you and what you would like to achieve, and check that treatment is safe and suitable. Only if you decide to go ahead, and the prescriber agrees, would any treatment follow — and you will always know what is involved first.

Explore more: Anti-wrinkle injections at our clinic · How long do they last? · Cost UK — what’s included · The 3 areas explained · Aesthetics clinic hub