How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?
3 to 4 months
Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that crease the skin, softening lines caused by movement; nothing happens for three to four days, the full effect is at two weeks, and it wears off over three to four months.
- When you see it
- from day 3 to 4, complete at 2 weeks
- Downtime
- none — small raised bumps for an hour, occasional bruising
- Sessions
- one, reviewed at 2 weeks
Why the range is a range
A wrinkle-relaxing treatment does not sit in the tissue waiting to wear away — it interrupts the signal between nerve and muscle, and the body restores that connection by growing new nerve endings. How fast you rebuild them is individual, and it is the whole reason the answer is three to four months rather than a fixed number.
Muscle strength matters. A strong, frequently used muscle recovers its function sooner, which is why a heavy frowner often finds the frown area comes back before the crow's feet do.
Dose matters, within limits. Under-dosing shortens the result; over-dosing does not meaningfully extend it and costs you natural movement, which is not a trade worth making.
What makes it last longer
Regular treatment at sensible intervals. Over time a repeatedly relaxed muscle becomes less strong, and many people find the effect holds longer in year three than it did in year one.
Not chasing it. Treating every eight weeks to stay ahead of the wear-off does not extend anything and carries its own problems.
Daily SPF and a good skincare routine, which act on the static component the injections cannot reach.
What makes it go faster
Intense, frequent exercise — the most consistently reported factor, and a real one.
A strong muscle in a well-used area.
Too small a dose, which is a false economy: a cheap treatment that lasts six weeks is not cheap.
Sources and further reading
- NHS — Dermal fillers
- British Association of Dermatologists — patient information
- Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
- Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Every treatment needs an individual assessment, and what is right for someone else may not be right for you.
Common questions
- How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?
- 3 to 4 months. Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that crease the skin, softening lines caused by movement; nothing happens for three to four days, the full effect is at two weeks, and it wears off over three to four months.
- When will I see the result of anti-wrinkle injections?
- From day 3 to 4, complete at 2 weeks. Judging it before then is judging an incomplete result, which is the most common reason people think a treatment has not worked.
- When should I come back for anti-wrinkle injections?
- Before it has gone completely rather than after. Treating while some of the result remains needs less product, gives a more predictable outcome and is usually a gentler appointment. If you are unsure, send me a photograph — I would rather tell you to wait.
- Will it come back worse if I stop?
- No. When a treatment wears off you return to your own baseline, not to something worse. What people sometimes notice is that they had become used to the result, so the return to normal registers as a deterioration when it is simply the original.
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.