As we age, our faces show the effects of time in the form of wrinkles. All the emotions we’ve ever expressed over the years – the smiles and frowns - add to our facial lines.
For many of us, the confidence we felt when we were younger is affected by the ageing that shows on our faces. An increasing number of people are choosing anti-wrinkle injections, such as Botox, as a non-surgical approach to combating the appearance of age and to boost their confidence.
Why you might need it
As we get older, our faces show the effects of time. Whether it is from simply laughing and frowning, or smoking and sun damage, our faces are prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle treatments aim to smooth out these facial wrinkles, helping to turn back the clock a few years.
They are popular choice for those who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The benefits some of our patients have said they experience are:
- a reduction of the visible effects of ageing
- feeling as though you look younger, or closer to your actual age
- an overall improved appearance
- greater self-esteem and self-confidence.
If you’re considering this type of treatment it’s important to have it done by a qualified medical practitioner. Beauty salons offer anti-wrinkle injections and you can even buy the products online and try to administer them yourself, but this is not to be recommended. At Spire you will be treated by one of our cosmetic specialists.
The two most common types of treatment are muscle relaxants and dermal fillers:
- Muscle relaxants – These injections use the botulinum toxin (Botox) to block the nerve impulses that cause muscle contraction, leading to smoother looking skin.
- Dermal fillers - such as Juvéderm® and Restylane®, are made from hyaluronic acid and are used to plump out wrinkles.
Both types of anti-wrinkle injections take about 15 minutes to administer, but this can vary depending on the number of wrinkles treated.
We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.
Find a Spire hospital offering this treatment
Who will do it?
Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care.
All of our cosmetic nurses and cosmetic surgeons are of the highest standard and benefit from working in our modern, well equipped hospitals.
All our cosmetic nurses and cosmetic surgeons are on the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC), and many are also members of the UK’s leading cosmetic and plastic surgery associations.
Before your treatment
Cosmetic treatments can be life enhancing and we’re here to help you make the right decision for you. Our experienced cosmetic staff will guide you through every step of the way.
It’s important to meet with your chosen consultant or cosmetic nurse before treatment so that you are completely comfortable with them and they know what you want to achieve. It’s helpful to bring in some pictures and a friend or family member to your initial meeting to help articulate your thoughts. You should also ask to see some of the consultant's recent before and after pictures of similar procedures they've performed.
This is an important decision and we're here to listen and help you achieve your goals.
Preparing for your treatment
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.
The procedure
We understand that any medical procedure can be a cause of anxiety – even if it’s a relatively straightforward one like this. That’s why our experienced and caring staff will be there for you every step of the way.
No anaesthetic is needed during this treatment as you will only feel a small prick from the needle. After your skin is cleaned and disinfected, small needles will be used to inject the muscle relaxant or dermal filler in the areas of your face that require the most amount of attention - normally around the eyes and lips.
Aftercare
As anti-wrinkle treatment by injection is a non-surgical treatment, there is virtually no recovery time after treatment, meaning you can normally fit in your injections with your day-to-day activities. You can leave hospital as soon as you're ready and you won’t need to take any time off work.
Pain relief
You may feel as if you’ve got flu for a day or two after the treatment but regular painkillers will help ease these symptoms. You may also experience some bruising around the injection sites but this should only last for a short while. Sometimes your face may feel slack after the treatment – particularly if you had injections around the eyelids. This should wear off after a few hours.
End results
You can expect to see the results of your treatment anywhere between one and three days after the injections. The results - a smoother appearance - normally last on average for three to four months.
Looking after you
Even after you’ve left hospital, we look after you every step of the way. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
On rare occasions, complications can occur following a medical procedure. If you experience any changes in your breathing or vision please call us straight away.
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, we're ready to help.
Why choose Spire?
We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.
Important to note
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.