Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Why I Always Consult Before I Treat?

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. That means it has to be assessed, prescribed and administered by a qualified clinician, and in my clinic, that clinician is me, a fully qualified GP with over 20 years of experience in both general medicine and aesthetics.

But beyond the legal requirement, there’s a simpler reason I insist on a consultation first: it makes for better outcomes. I need to know your medical history. I need to see how your face actually moves, not just what it looks like in a photograph. I need to understand what’s bothering you and whether what you’re asking for is actually the best solution for it. Sometimes it is. Sometimes there’s something I can suggest that would work better, or complement it.

I also think it matters that you have the chance to ask questions without feeling any pressure. You shouldn’t be deciding whether to have a medical treatment while you’re already sitting in the treatment chair.

What I cover in your consultation:

• Your medical history and any medications you’re taking
• A full assessment of your facial anatomy and how you move
• An honest conversation about what the treatment can and can’t achieve
• Any risks or contraindications specific to you
• A treatment plan built around your face, not a standard template
• Consent paperwork and aftercare before we do anything

What I Treat

Here is a overview of what I can help with.

Frown Lines

The vertical creases between the brows that make people look angry or tense even when they’re not. These are caused by the corrugator and procerus muscles, and they respond very well to botulinum toxin. I always treat frown lines carefully: going too heavy here is one of the most common reasons people end up looking ‘done’. The goal is to soften, not to erase.

Forehead Lines

The horizontal lines across the forehead. I never treat the forehead in isolation. It’s one of my firm rules. If you relax the forehead without also treating the frown, the brows can drop and you end up looking heavy-lidded. I always assess the balance of the whole upper face before we decide on dosing.

Crow’s Feet

The fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes that deepen when you smile. These are some of my favourite lines to treat because the results tend to be very natural-looking: a small dose in exactly the right spot makes a noticeable difference without affecting your expression at all.

Brow Lift

By relaxing the muscles that pull the brow downward, it’s possible to create a subtle lift, a slightly more open, fresher look. It’s not dramatic and it’s not for everyone, but in the right patient it can be really effective. I’ll tell you at consultation whether you’re a good candidate.

Jaw Slimming and Teeth Grinding (Masseter)

This is one I use a lot, both for people who want to slim a wide lower face and for patients who grind their teeth or clench their jaw. Injecting into the masseter muscle reduces its bulk over time: it takes a few weeks to fully show, and you may need a top-up after the first treatment. The jaw grinding relief is often noticed quickly, which is satisfying for everyone involved.

Downturned Mouth

Some people naturally have corners of the mouth that pull downward at rest, which can create a tired, unhappy or slightly stern appearance even when they feel perfectly fine. This is usually caused by overactivity of the depressor anguli oris muscle, which pulls the corners of the mouth downward over time. Carefully placed botulinum toxin can relax this muscle and allow the mouth to sit in a softer, more neutral position. It is a subtle treatment, but often makes the lower face look noticeably more relaxed and approachable.

Neck Bands

The vertical cords on the neck (the platysmal bands) become more visible with age and can be effectively softened with botulinum toxin. It’s a more advanced treatment area and needs to be approached carefully, but when it works well the improvement can be quite striking.

Bunny Lines

These are the fine diagonal lines that appear on either side of the nose when you smile or scrunch your face. Not everyone notices them, but once they become prominent they can make the centre of the face look more tense than intended. A few carefully placed injections can soften the movement while still allowing completely natural expression. It is a very subtle treatment, but when done properly it balances the upper face beautifully.

Pebbly Chin

Some people develop a dimpled or uneven appearance to the chin when speaking or at rest, often described as a pebbly or orange peel texture. This happens when the mentalis muscle becomes overactive, sometimes also causing the chin to look slightly puckered or pulled upwards. Small amounts of botulinum toxin can relax the muscle and create a much smoother appearance. Precision matters here because over-treating can affect normal lip movement, so I approach this area conservatively.

Gummy Smile

If your upper gums are quite visible when you smile and it’s something that bothers you, a very small amount of botulinum toxin into the muscles that lift the upper lip can reduce how much gum shows. It’s a precise, subtle treatment. Not one to rush.

Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

This is a medical treatment and one I feel strongly about. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating, most often under the arms) is genuinely debilitating for many people. It affects confidence, clothing choices, work situations. Botulinum toxin is NICE-recommended for this condition and works by blocking the nerve signals to sweat glands. Most patients get 6 to 12 months of significant relief from a single treatment. Because I come from a GP background, I can assess this properly, including ruling out any underlying medical causes, before we treat.

What to Expect

Consultation first, always

Every new patient starts with a proper medical consultation, not a quick chat before the needles come out. I need to understand your medical history, what medications you’re on, and what you’re actually hoping to achieve. That conversation shapes everything. It also gives me a chance to tell you honestly if I think there’s a better approach for your concerns.

Prescription and consent

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine, and I prescribe it myself. Before we do anything, we go through full written consent together: what you can expect, what the risks are, and what happens if you’re not happy with the result. No small print, no rushing.

The treatment itself

Usually about 15 to 20 minutes. I use very fine needles and most patients are surprised by how straightforward it is. A few small injections into the right muscles, and you’re done. Cold packs are on hand if you want them. You can drive home and carry on with your day.

Aftercare

I’ll give you written aftercare before you leave. The main things: avoid the gym, alcohol and lying flat for a few hours, and don’t rub the area. That’s about it for most people.

Two-week review

I always see new patients again at two weeks, when the treatment has fully settled. It gives me a chance to check the result, make sure you’re happy, and do a small top-up if needed. This appointment is included. It’s not an add-on.

Results: What to Expect and How Long It Lasts

Most people notice something happening around days 3 to 5: the muscle starts to feel different, the lines begin to soften. By two weeks it’s fully settled, which is why that’s when I schedule the review.

In terms of how long it lasts: three to four months is the honest average, but there’s real variation. Crow’s feet tend to hold longer than the forehead. Stronger muscles burn through it faster. People who are very active or who metabolise quickly sometimes find it fades sooner. First-time patients often get a slightly shorter duration than those who’ve been maintaining it regularly.

I won’t promise you it’ll last six months, because for most people it won’t. What I can tell you is that with regular maintenance, many patients find the results do gradually extend a little over time, and I’ll always be honest with you at each review about how your response is looking.

Safety, Side Effects and Who It's Not Suitable For

Botulinum toxin has a very long safety record when it’s used correctly by someone who knows what they’re doing. The vast majority of my patients experience nothing more than a little redness at the injection sites for a few hours. Bruising happens occasionally. It’s not dangerous, just inconvenient.

Serious complications are rare, but they do exist, and I’ll always discuss them with you before treatment. Temporary drooping of the eyelid or brow is the one that concerns people most: it’s uncommon, almost always resolves within a few weeks, and is significantly less likely when you’re treated by an experienced doctor who understands facial anatomy.

Treatment is not appropriate if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Allergic to botulinum toxin or any of its ingredients
• Dealing with an active skin infection in the area to be treated
• Living with a neuromuscular condition like myasthenia gravis
• Taking aminoglycoside antibiotics or certain muscle relaxants

If you’re unsure about any of these, just mention it when you book. That’s exactly what the consultation is for.

Pricing

I keep pricing straightforward. The figures below are starting points: the exact cost depends on how many areas we’re treating and how much product is needed, which we would discuss at consultation. You’ll always know the full cost before we proceed.

Every price includes the consultation and the two-week review. There are no hidden charges.

Why Patients Choose This Clinic

Standards

Doctor-led: Every treatment personally overseen by Dr Rekha Tailor

CQC-registered: View our CQC Record

No same-day injections: New patients are always seen for consultation first

Full consent: Every time, without exception

2-week review included: No extra charge

Recognition

Award-winning: View our Awards

20+ years: Injecting botulinum toxin since 2005

MBCAM: British College of Aesthetic Medicine

ZO Skin Health: Blue Diamond Clinic 2026

Reviews: View our Reviews