Anti-Wrinkle Injections in London W2

What anti-wrinkle injections are

Anti-wrinkle injections use a purified protein to temporarily relax specific facial muscles. When those muscles contract less strongly, the skin above them creases less, so the lines that appear when you frown, raise your eyebrows or smile tend to look softer.

In the UK this is a prescription-only medicine, which is why treatment at ZARA is always subject to a consultation and medical assessment. We look at how your face moves, ask about your health and talk through what is realistic before anything is planned. If the treatment isn't right for you, we'll tell you.

Most people are after a rested, natural look rather than a frozen one. Doses and injection points are tailored to each face, so two people treating the same area can end up with quite different plans.

Lines that anti-wrinkle injections are commonly used for

The treatment works on lines caused by movement, known as dynamic lines. Deeper creases that are visible even when your face is completely relaxed may soften with time but are unlikely to disappear, and sometimes another approach suits them better.

Where lines come from lost volume or thinning skin rather than muscle activity, we may suggest skin booster injections or one of our dermal filler options instead.

• Forehead lines: the horizontal creases that form when you lift your eyebrows
• Frown lines: the vertical lines between the brows, often called the 11s
• Crow's feet: the fan of lines at the outer corners of the eyes when you smile
• Other small areas can be discussed at consultation if they are suitable for you

Who it suits, and when to wait

People usually book because expression lines have started to look more set than they'd like, often from their late twenties or thirties onwards, although there is no fixed age. Good candidates are in general good health and have realistic expectations about what a few small injections can do.

Treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You'll also be asked to wait if you have an active skin infection or cold sore near the area. Some neuromuscular conditions, and certain medicines including some antibiotics and blood thinners, can affect whether treatment is appropriate.

Bring a list of any medicines and supplements you take. If something you tell us means treatment should be postponed, we'll explain the reason clearly.

Your appointment, step by step

A one-area appointment is booked as 35 minutes and other appointments as 40 minutes. Much of that time is spent talking and assessing rather than injecting.

1. Consultation: we discuss what bothers you, your medical history and any previous treatments.
2. Assessment: we watch how your muscles move as you frown, smile and raise your brows, then agree which areas to treat.
3. Consent: we go through likely results, possible side effects and aftercare so you can decide with the full picture.
4. Preparation: your skin is cleansed and the injection points are marked.
5. Treatment: a few small injections are given with a very fine needle. Most people describe a brief pinch.
6. Before you leave: we go over aftercare, and most people head straight back to work or errands.

When you'll notice a change and how long it lasts

Effects build gradually. Most people start to see a difference after several days, with the full effect usually showing at around two weeks. Lines look softer when you make the expression, and resting lines often look less etched over the following weeks.

Results typically last around three to four months, although this varies from person to person. Muscle strength, the dose used and how expressive you are all play a part. As the effect fades, movement returns slowly and lines go back to how they were. Stopping does not make them worse.

Many people repeat treatment a few times a year. We'll talk about sensible intervals at your consultation rather than booking you onto a fixed schedule.

Aftercare and possible side effects

Small red marks or bumps at the injection points usually settle within an hour or so. For the rest of the day it's generally advised to stay upright for around four hours, avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area, and skip strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for 24 hours.

Side effects are possible and will be discussed with you before treatment. The more common ones are mild bruising, tenderness and a headache in the first day or two. Less commonly, the effect can reach a nearby muscle and cause a temporary droop of an eyelid or eyebrow, which usually improves over a few weeks. If anything worries you afterwards, call or message the clinic.

Anti-wrinkle injections prices at ZARA

Our prices are set by the number of areas treated. Each price is per session, and your final plan and price are confirmed at your consultation.

The same type of treatment is also used for heavy underarm sweating, which has its own page on underarm sweating injections and is priced separately.

• Anti wrinkle 1 area: £80 (35-minute appointment)
• Anti wrinkle 2 area: £140
• Anti wrinkle 3 area: £300
• Anti wrinkle Master: £350 (contents confirmed at consultation)

Easy to reach from Marylebone, Paddington and Maida Vale

ZARA is at 304 Edgware Road, W2 1DY, about 50 metres from the Bakerloo line entrance of Edgware Road station. The Circle, District and Hammersmith & City station on Chapel Street is roughly a two to three minute walk away.

From Marylebone it's one stop north on the Bakerloo line, or around a ten-minute walk from Marylebone station. Coming from Paddington and the canal basin, most people walk over in ten minutes or so, and from Maida Vale station it's two stops south on the Bakerloo line.

We're open Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 8pm, and on Sundays and bank holidays from 1pm to 5pm, so a short appointment can fit around a working day. Message us on WhatsApp, call, or use the online booking form.