Expertly administered injections of botulinum toxin helps to reverse dynamic lines and wrinkles whilst still allowing movement and expression and maintaining a natural look. Botulinum toxin is not suitable for lines present without expression (static lines) however, there are alternative options which the practitioner can discuss with you.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription only medicine and must only be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. It is generally a safe and effective treatment, but it is essential to have an in-person consultation and assessment by a suitably qualified prescriber before receiving treatment.
It is expected to see an improvement within 2-3 days, but the full effect takes about 2 weeks and lasts 3-4 months. Repeated treatments are required to maintain the desired effect, but the frequency depends on several factors and varies between individuals. Repeated treatments at intervals of less that 3 months is not recommended.
A comprehensive consultation is always undertaken to assess your suitability for treatment, understand expectations and to help formulate a customised and safe plan should you decide to go ahead with treatment.
During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss any specific skin concerns you may have. The practitioner will undertake a medical history and skin assessment and ask details about your current skincare routine. Based on the assessment, the practitioner will discuss whether you are suitable for botulinum toxin treatment. If so, they will advise on a treatment plan and provide their expert opinion about realistic and expected outcomes. They will also discuss the possible side effects, any risks and the procedure in detail to allow you to make an informed choice about whether you wish to have the treatment.
You are strongly encouraged to consider all the benefits and risks explained to you as part of the consultation and clarify anything you are unsure about. It is important not to rush into any decisions. Treatment will only go ahead if both you and the practitioner agree and are happy to proceed, and after you have provided written consent to treatment.
One week before your appointment, you should avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, St John’s Wort and fish oil supplements as these can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. You can however take paracetamol should you require pain relief. If you are taking prescribed medication, including aspirin, do not stop taking this without consulting with the practitioner or your GP beforehand.
You should avoid drinking any alcohol 24 hours before botulinum toxin treatment as this can also increase the risk of bleeding.
The procedure will involve first prepping the skin by removing any make-up/skin care products from the treatment area. The skin will then be thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic. You will be asked to create a series of facial expressions (e.g. frown, raise your eyebrows, smile) to help the practitioner identify the muscles to target. The practitioner will then mark up the treatment area before injecting the botulinum toxin using a very fine needle. The injections will be into multiple sites, depending on the area(s) being treated. You may feel some discomfort or stinging as the product is injected. You are also likely to have small bumps at the injection sites, but these will usually settle within 15-30 minutes.
Pre- and post-treatment photos will be taken and held by the clinic for medical documentation purposes.
Aftercare is an extremely important part of the treatment to minimise risk and ensure good results are achieved. Detailed aftercare advice will be provided at your consultation but includes not touching or rubbing the face; keeping the area clean and make-up free; and avoiding alcohol, strenuous exercise/gym, saunas, steam rooms, excessive sun exposure or extremes of heat or cold for 24-48 hours.
Whether you’re exploring skincare treatments, anti-aging solutions, or advanced aesthetic procedures, we’re here to help you look and feel your best. Book your personalised consultation with our expert team at Skinology Medical Aesthetics clinics at any of our three locations in London.
| Common Skin Concerns & Treatment Options | Wrinkle Relaxing | Dermal Fillers | Chemical Peels | Microneedling | Mesotherapy | Polynucleotides | Profhilo® / Skin Boosters | Medical Grade Skin Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lines and wrinkles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Facial volume loss | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Jowls | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Laughter lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Neck lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Nasolabial folds | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Smokers lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Downturned smile | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Gummy smile | ✓ | |||||||
| Double chin | ✓ | |||||||
| Thin lips | ✓ | |||||||
| Saggy / lax skin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Aged skin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Age spots | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Hyperpigmentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Melasma | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Acne | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Acne Scars | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Poor texture / dull skin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hollow eyes / dark circles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
As the Founder and Clinical Director of Skinology Medical Aesthetics, my passion for dermatology started during university as an undergraduate and stemmed from my personal struggle with acne throughout my teens and early adulthood. I recall vividly the effect of having bad skin on my confidence but with the right support, I was able to love my skin and myself again.
After graduating in 1999, I started working in a large NHS teaching hospital where I was fortunate to gain experience in a wide range of clinical areas. In 2002, I chose to specialise in mental health where I practised as an independent prescribing pharmacist. In 2022, I became one of the first credentialed Consultant Pharmacists by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), awarded to individuals who have demonstrated delivery of expert level clinical care and influenced positive change across the healthcare.
I was very nervous to get lip filler but Yogita made the whole experience very comfortable and I’m delighted with the outcome.
My skin became dull and lifeless during the menopause. Skinology personalised an easy and affordable skincare plan that’s made my skin feel rejuvenated.
I had 3 sessions of microneedling which really helped improve my acne scars.
A Medical Aesthetics Clinic is run or led by medical professionals who use their medical expertise to provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments to enhance or maintain one’s natural beauty and help address specific concerns such as wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, scars and ageing. All procedures are performed by qualified medical professionals.
Like most other medical treatments, non-surgical cosmetic procedures carry some risks so it’s important to ensure the procedure is performed by a professional qualified and experienced in medical aesthetics with appropriate knowledge in facial anatomy and expertise in recognising and managing any complications safely should they occur.
Absolutely. At Skinology Medical Aesthetics, before any treatment is provided, a face to face consultation with a medical practitioner is essential to help us understand your concerns, undertake a thorough assessment and recommend the most suitable treatment plan tailored to your needs and budget.
You can book an appointment through our website. Alternatively, you can email or call us directly.
