Lines & Wrinkles Consultation aftercare
Straightforward, with a few things that genuinely matter in the first four hours and a result that takes two weeks to judge.
Ring rather than wait if you have
- Drooping of an eyelid or eyebrow
- Difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing — seek urgent medical help
- Marked asymmetry still present after two weeks
- Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- A cold sore developing in or near the treated area
Call 07721 823933. I would far rather see you and find nothing than have you wait it out overnight. If you cannot reach me and you are worried, contact NHS 111 or attend your nearest emergency department.
01The first 24 hours
- Stay upright for four hours after treatment. Do not lie flat or bend over repeatedly.
- Do not rub, press or massage the treated area — the product can move where it is not wanted.
- Small raised bumps at the injection points settle within an hour or so.
- You can return to normal activity immediately otherwise.
02The first week
- Onset is gradual: the first change is usually noticed at three to five days.
- Some unevenness as it takes effect is normal and generally resolves as it settles.
- Do not judge the result before two weeks, and do not seek a top-up before then.
A closer look
Keep the plan close at hand
Your instructions
Use the written aftercare plan for the treatment you actually received.
Your contact
Keep the clinic contact details available and seek help promptly for concerning symptoms.
Your review
Follow the agreed review arrangements. Do not wait for review if symptoms need urgent attention.
The urgent warning signs above take priority over routine follow-up.
Why these rules exist
The reasoning, not just the instruction
Why to stay upright and avoid rubbing for a few hours
The product needs to stay where it was placed while it binds to the nerve endings in the target muscle. Rubbing, pressing or lying face down soon afterwards risks moving a small amount into an adjacent muscle — which is the mechanism behind a temporarily heavy brow or eyelid.
That is uncommon, it resolves as the effect wears off, and a few hours of ordinary care makes it considerably less likely.
Why nothing appears to be happening for several days
The effect is not mechanical, so there is nothing to see straight away. It builds from around day three as the signal between nerve and muscle is progressively interrupted, is largely there by day seven and is complete at two weeks.
Judging it at day four and concluding it has not worked is the commonest reason people ask for more than they need.
03What to avoid, and for how long
| Lying flat or bending over repeatedly | 4 hours |
|---|---|
| Rubbing or massaging the area | 24 hours |
| Strenuous exercise | 24 hours |
| Saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds | 48 hours |
| Facials and facial massage | 2 weeks |
04What to expect, and when
Day 3–5
First signs of the treatment working.
Day 14
Full effect. This is when we review.
Month 3–4
Effect wears off gradually. Rebook if you want to maintain it.
Common questions
- How long does swelling last after anti-wrinkle injections?
- Day 3–5: First signs of the treatment working. Day 14: Full effect. This is when we review. Month 3–4: Effect wears off gradually. Rebook if you want to maintain it.
- When can I wear make-up after anti-wrinkle injections?
- Once the skin surface is intact and any injection points have closed — usually within 24 hours. Use clean brushes or clean hands.
- When should I ring rather than wait?
- Drooping of an eyelid or eyebrow; Difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing — seek urgent medical help; Marked asymmetry still present after two weeks; Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge; Fever or feeling generally unwell; A cold sore developing in or near the treated area.
- How long do anti-wrinkle injections take to settle?
- The effect starts appearing from about day three, is largely there by day seven and is complete at two weeks. Small unevenness during the first week usually resolves as the rest of the effect arrives, which is why the review is at two weeks rather than at one.
- Do anti-wrinkle injections hurt?
- Very little. The needle is extremely fine and there are only a few injection points, so most people report a brief sharp scratch at each one and nothing afterwards.
- How often should I have anti-wrinkle injections?
- Most people return at three to four months. More often than every three months is not advised: it adds nothing and it increases the chance of the effect becoming less reliable over time.
This is general aftercare information. You will be given written aftercare specific to your treatment before you leave, and a direct number to reach me on. If anything here conflicts with what you were told in clinic, what you were told in clinic applies.
Sources and further reading
- NHS — Dermal fillers
- British Association of Dermatologists — patient information
- Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
- Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
This is general aftercare information, not personal medical advice. What you were told in clinic takes precedence over anything on this page.
Get in touch
Book a consultation
Consultations are £30, and that comes off the cost of your treatment if you go ahead. No pressure to book anything on the day — if you are not sure whether you want treatment at all, that is still a good reason to come and talk.