By Victor Amorim | Amorim Aesthetics Clinic, London
Thinking about anti-wrinkle injections but not quite sure what to expect? You’re not the only one. It’s one of the most popular aesthetic treatments in the UK — and also one of the most misunderstood.
There’s a lot of noise online. Before and after photos that look nothing like real life. Horror stories from treatments gone wrong. Outdated advice that doesn’t reflect how far the industry has come. It can make the whole thing feel more daunting than it needs to be.
So before you book anything, here are ten things worth knowing. Straightforward, honest, and based on what clients actually ask me before their first session.
1. It’s Not About Freezing Your Face
This is the big one. The frozen, expressionless look that most people picture when they think of anti-wrinkle injections — that’s not what a good treatment looks like. That’s what an overdone treatment looks like.
Done correctly, anti-wrinkle injections relax specific muscles just enough to soften lines and prevent them deepening, while leaving your natural movement and expression completely intact. You should still be able to raise your eyebrows, frown, smile — everything. The goal is to look refreshed, not altered.
The frozen look comes from too much product or poor placement. Which is exactly why choosing a qualified, experienced practitioner isn’t optional.
2. The Treatment Itself Takes About 15 to 20 Minutes
Anti-wrinkle injections are quick. Once you’ve had your consultation and we’ve agreed on the treatment plan, the actual procedure takes around 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish.
A few small injections into the targeted muscles. That’s it. Most clients come in on a lunch break or after work and go straight back to whatever they were doing. There’s no preparation needed and no recovery time required.
3. It’s Not as Painful as You Think
The needles used are extremely fine — much finer than anything used in a standard medical injection. Most clients describe the sensation as a small, sharp pinch that’s over in a second. Some areas are slightly more sensitive than others, but nothing that would be described as genuinely painful.
If you’re particularly anxious about needles, let your practitioner know beforehand. There are ways to make the experience more comfortable, and a good practitioner will take that seriously rather than rushing through.
4. You Won’t See Results Immediately
This catches a lot of first-timers off guard. Anti-wrinkle injections don’t work the moment they’re administered. The product needs time to settle into the muscle and take effect.
Most people start to notice the results between three and five days after treatment. The full effect usually develops over two weeks. So if you’ve got something important coming up — a wedding, an event, a big occasion — book your treatment at least two to three weeks in advance, not the day before.
5. Results Typically Last Three to Four Months
How long the results last varies from person to person. Factors like how fast your metabolism works, how active you are, and how expressive your natural facial movements are all play a role.
For most people, results last between three and four months. With regular treatments over time, many clients find they can go a little longer between appointments as the muscles gradually become less active.
6. The Three Main Areas Treated
The most common areas for anti-wrinkle injections are:
- Forehead lines — the horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows
- Frown lines (glabella) — the vertical lines between the eyebrows, sometimes called the “elevens”
- Crow’s feet — the fine lines that appear at the outer corners of the eyes when you smile
Most first-time clients either treat one area they’re most bothered by, or all three together for a more balanced result. During your consultation, we’ll look at your face and movement and discuss what makes the most sense for you specifically.
7. There Are a Few Things to Avoid Beforehand
You don’t need to do much to prepare, but there are a couple of things worth avoiding in the days before your treatment:
- Alcohol — ideally avoid it for 24 hours before your appointment, as it can increase the risk of bruising
- Blood-thinning medications or supplements — things like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E can also increase bruising. If you’re on prescribed medication, always check with your GP before stopping anything
- Strenuous exercise — on the day of your treatment, keep it light
After the treatment, avoid lying flat for four hours, avoid rubbing the treated areas, and skip intense exercise for 24 hours.
8. Bruising Can Happen — But It’s Not Common
A small percentage of clients experience minor bruising at the injection sites. It’s not dangerous, it doesn’t affect the results, and it usually fades within a few days. Makeup can cover it easily if needed.
The risk of bruising is lower when the treatment is performed by someone with proper technique and a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy. Hitting a blood vessel is avoidable in most cases — it just requires care and precision.
9. A Two-Week Review is Standard Practice
After your first treatment, a follow-up review at two weeks is good practice. By that point, the product has fully settled and you can see the complete result. If there’s any area that needs a small adjustment, this is the time to address it.
At Amorim Aesthetics Clinic, this review is part of the process — not an afterthought. Getting the result right matters more than rushing on to the next appointment.
10. The Practitioner You Choose Makes All the Difference
Anti-wrinkle injections are medical treatments. They involve needles, neurotoxins, and a detailed understanding of how the muscles of the face work together. The difference between a natural, balanced result and something that looks overdone or uneven almost always comes down to the person administering the treatment — not the product itself.
When you’re researching practitioners, look for:
- Formal qualifications and accreditations (not just a weekend course)
- Full insurance
- A consultation before any treatment is agreed
- Someone who will tell you honestly if something isn’t right for you
At Amorim Aesthetics Clinic, I’m fully qualified with VTCT Levels 2, 3 and 4, certified in advanced injectables, and fully insured. Every client has a thorough consultation before we agree on anything. And if I don’t think a treatment is the right fit, I’ll say so.
Is It Right for You?
Anti-wrinkle injections work well for people who want to soften existing lines or get ahead of ones that are starting to form. They work best when the approach is conservative — less is genuinely more — and when the treatment plan is built around your face rather than a standard template.
If you’ve been thinking about it for a while and want an honest conversation about whether it’s the right option for you, that’s exactly what a consultation is for.
Book Your Consultation
📞 +44 7946 570179 📧 info@amorimclinic.co.uk 📍 Fitzrovia, London W1T 4PS
No pressure, no obligation. Just a proper conversation about what you’re looking for and whether we can help.
Victor Amorim is the founder and lead practitioner at Amorim Aesthetics Clinic, London. Fully qualified with VTCT Levels 2, 3 and 4, certified in advanced injectables, and fully insured.