Anti-Wrinkle Injections

• Non-Surgical
• Injectables
• Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Medically Reviewed April 2024, by Dr. Susan Mayou (GMC: 2405092) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading dermatologists

What are Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

Anti-Wrinkle Injections also known as Anti-Ageing Injections or Wrinkle Relaxing Injections are a non-surgical treatment which target common signs of natural ageing – in particular lines and wrinkles.

Anti-Wrinkle Injections is an umbrella term for any injectable treatment which uses a neurotoxin as the active ingredient. There are many brands available and during your consultation, your consultant will discuss the type of injectables they use, and why they favour them.

Following treatment with Anti-Wrinkle Injections, lines and wrinkles will appear reduced and your skin will look smoother and more toned.  

What Conditions Can Anti-Wrinkle Injections Treat?

Although Anti-Ageing Injections are primarily used cosmetically to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles and combat the signs of ageing, there are a number of medical conditions that controlled use of neurotoxins can address and improve. It is important to note that these injections are not a cure for any of these conditions but can help to control and manage symptoms. 

Teeth Grinding 

Also known as Bruxism, chronic Teeth Grinding affects 8-10% of people and is usually caused by ongoing stress and anxiety, sleep disorders or some medical conditions such as Parkinson’s. Teeth Grinding can cause headaches, jaw pain and damage to your teeth.

Anti-Ageing Injectables can be administered into the Masseter muscle, in the jawline to unclench the jaw and prevent Teeth Grinding. Although this is a highly effective treatment for a lot of patients, your consultant will recommend finding the underlying cause of your Bruxism to ensure you have the most comprehensive treatment plan.

Excessive Sweating 

Excessive Sweating is a concern that effects many people and can cause embarrassment resulting in people avoiding certain activities. Also known as Hyperhidrosis, it occurs in areas of the body which contain sweat glands including the armpits, hands, feet and face.

Injecting neurotoxin into the affected areas can either stop sweat from being produced, or significantly reduce the amount of sweat being reduced. This happens because the signals from the nerve endings which result in the glands producing sweat are blocked.

Migraines 

Chronic Migraines can be debilitating, seriously impacting people’s quality of life. As well as being painful, Migraines can lead to light sensitivity, vision issues, nausea and vomiting.

Anti-Ageing Injections can be used above the eyebrows, around the temples and at the base of the skull to treat Migraines. It is not fully understood, why neurotoxin is an effective treatment for some people who suffer from Migraines, but it is thought that it blocks the neurotransmitters which signal physical discomfort within the brain.

Muscle Spasms 

Muscle Spasms can occur in various areas of the body including the eyelids (known as Blepharospasm) which causes excessive blinking and in the neck, which can lead to stiffness and pain.

Anti-Ageing Injectables can be used to treat Muscle Spasms across the body to relieve physical and emotional discomfort. The treatment works by relaxing the affected muscles, preventing them from tightening and spasming. Before undergoing any treatment it is important to investigate and understand the causes of your Muscle Spasms to make sure your treatment plan is right for you and your concerns. 

Where Do People Have Anti-Ageing Injectables?

It is common to have anti-ageing injectables anywhere in the face or hands.

Some common areas include:

• Forehead wrinkles (‘frown’ lines)
• Corner of the eyes (‘crows feet’)
• In between the eyes (‘glabellar’ or ‘no. 11’ lines)
• Upper Lip Lines
• Around the mouth (‘laughter’ or ‘marionette’ lines)
• Neck Lines
• Chin

Benefits of Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Anti-Ageing Injections have several benefits and patients consider and opt for this treatment for a number of reasons: 

Smoothing lines and wrinkles – The primary cosmetic use of Anti-Ageing injections is to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by relaxing the underlying muscles. Anti-Wrinkle Injections are the most effective non-surgical treatment for lines and wrinkles and consistent use will prevent existing lines and wrinkles from worsening. 

Future wrinkles can be prevented from forming – In some cases Anti-Ageing Injectables can be used preventatively, keeping the muscle relaxed and preventing expression lines from forming. It is important to speak to a consultant about preventative use of Anti-Wrinkle Injections as over-using neurotoxin, or beginning Anti-Ageing Injectables too early, may make them less effective in the future. 

Fast results – Following Anti-Wrinkle Injection treatment, results are usually apparent between a few days and two weeks. The length of time the neurotoxin takes to act depends in part on the strength of the muscle that has been injected, with stronger muscles taking longer to be relaxed than weaker muscles. 

Minimal downtime – Anti-Wrinkle Injections can result in some bruising and swelling in the injected areas, and this usually subsides within the first ten days. However, this shouldn’t affect your usual activities, or your ability to work. 

No surgical intervention required – Undergoing Anti-Wrinkle Injections is a non-surgical treatment and doesn’t require a general anaesthetic or sedation. It is usually a very simple treatment, which takes less than 20 minutes to complete. 

The cost of Anti-Wrinkle Injections

How Do Anti-Ageing Injections Work?

All brands of Anti-Ageing Injections use a neurotoxin as their active ingredient. A neurotoxin is a substance which affects the way the nervous system functions. In high quantities this can be dangerous, however in controlled amounts, administered by a medical professional, this effect can be used in beneficial ways, both aesthetically and to treat other medical concerns.

When a neurotoxin is injected into a muscle, it stops the nerves from sending signals which cause the muscle to move – relaxing the muscle. In many cases, lines and wrinkles are caused by consistent muscle movement over time, leaving impressions in the skin. By relaxing the underlying muscle, this smooths the lines and wrinkles and also prevents the muscle from moving more, which may help to prevent wrinkles from worsening, or new wrinkles from forming. 

How Long Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Last?

The effect of Anti-Ageing Injections isn’t permanent and follow up appointments are needed to maintain results. The length of time the neurotoxin takes to break down varies between people, but it is usually 3-4 months. Most patients find that if they are consistent with their treatments, they don’t need to have maintenance sessions as often, and the effect lasts for longer.

Your consultant will discuss how often you should consider maintenance appointments, depending on the concerns that are being treated and how quickly the injectables last for you. Having Anti-Ageing Injections too often can cause them to lose their effect, so it is important to get the amount of time between your appointments correct. 

What is Profhilo?

Profhilo is a new, highly effective anti-ageing injectable treatment based on hyaluronic acid. Profhilo is injected into pre-determined points to give a "hydrolift" effect that boosts skin hydration and tightens the skin.

Hyaluronic acid – the active agent in Profhilo - can hold 1000 times its weight in water creating a significant deep moisturizing activity. In addition, Profhilo remodels the skin by stimulating elastin and collagen production, giving it a firmer, plumper and smoother texture.

Profhilo is highly spreadable and flows over an extended area to improve skin condition, quality, tone and elasticity, as opposed to the local effect of other anti-ageing injectables.

The treatment consists of two sessions one month apart. Some improvement can be seen from one week after the first injection, but the results take full effect around one month after the second injection and will last for about six months.

How To Find Us

The Cadogan Clinic is based at 120 Sloane Street in Chelsea, just off Sloane Square and the Kings Road.

We are accessible by all major bus routes that pass through Sloane Square and Sloane Street, as well as Sloane Square tube station.

We are just a 5 minute walk northwards up Sloane Street once you have arrived at Sloane Square.

Local pay parking is available just around the corner from the Clinic on Cadogan Gate, Cadogan Square and Cadogan Gardens. Our local residential parking zone is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Address: 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X 9BW