I wanted to write a post detailing my skin journey and my experience with anti-wrinkle injections. I love skin treatments and anything that can make me look fresher and younger. But I got to a point where skincare and facials only did so much. Over time, I’ve figured out what works for me and it’s regular Hydrofacials, daily collagen supplements ( I take this one) and six-monthly anti-wrinkle injections. One of the most important aspects of getting anti-wrinkle injections is choosing the right practitioner and after four treatments by the wonderful Dr Rosie Petch, I wanted to give you all the full low-down on what is now a fully tried and tested treatment. No gatekeeping here ladies.
When should I get anti-wrinkle treatments?
This is not an article suggesting that you need anti-wrinkle injections, simply a review of my experience and how I’ve got the results I wanted by finding a practitioner I can trust. One of the most popular questions surrounding anti-wrinkle injections is when to start getting them. Everyone is different so this is a very personal aspect but I took the plunge in Nov 2021 when I was 36. So, I’ve been having this treatment for 2 years but I’d been thinking about it all the way back in 2016.
I had wanted to get this treatment for a while as I’ve always had quite defined lines on my forehead area and around my eyes. Now anti-wrinkle injections are a preventative treatment so you don’t have to wait until your lines are apparent to get it. That’s not to say you should rush off in your twenties to get this but it works by preventing the muscles from contracting and the less they are used the less movement you have and the fewer lines will form and develop. I already had fine lines on my forehead as you can see in this photo below and when I started getting this treatment and I’ve seen a vast improvement.
After anti-wrinkle injections…
You can see here that the lines on my forehead are smoother and less visible. Do I look vastly different? No. But do I feel a lot more confident and does my skin look fresher? Yes.
But which areas should you get it?
Frown lines, forehead and crows feet (laughing lines) are all popular areas and I get all three done with Dr Rosie Petch. I personally quite like laughing lines but if I only addressed my forehead area, the deep crows feet are kind of a giveaway that I’ve erased wrinkles in other areas like my forehead so I opted to get my eye area treated too. My personal favourite is the frown line that has now completely vanished.
However, this treatment can also be handy if you want to address a gummy smile or even other issues such as teeth grinding or excessive sweating. Before you have the treatment you will get an in-depth consultation where you can discuss your individual concerns and ask any questions you might have. This is where a good practitioner can offer their expert advice on how to achieve the results you desire. Honest communication and realistic expectations are the key here.
What can you expect on the day?
On my first appointment, I was put completely at ease in Dr Petch’s Headingley based treatment room. We discussed the results I wanted and talked through the procedure and aftercare. We took before photos and addressed any questions I had. I wanted something subtle, like me but fresher. I wanted my forehead lines to be erased but I still wanted some natural movement and didn’t want my face to look frozen. Dr Petch then drew lines on my face to indicate injection points and distracted me with some lovely chat while she got to work.
Does it hurt?
There is a sharp sting but most people wouldn’t describe it as painful. In under 20 minutes, it was all done and I was free to go about my day.
What about aftercare?
Aftercare is minimal but it is essential to avoid rubbing the areas or doing any form of exercise for 24 hours. The same rule for consuming alcohol. I always attend my appointments make-up free and don’t apply any makeup for 24 hours so it’s best to plan a day where you aren’t doing much. You have to stay upright for 4-6 hours after treatment so no lying down.
When to book it?
Like hair appointments and other cosmetic treatments, we often plan them around our social calendar so when it is best to book an anti-wrinkle treatment? Well, it can take up to 2 weeks to kick in, I always see signs of mine taking effect around the one-week mark sometimes as early as 5 days but the full effect can be seen in 14 days. If I’m going away I often book around 14 days before and find that works for me as any bruising you may have will have disappeared. (I have only got a tiny bruise once and it was around my eyes where the skin is thinner and more delicate). If you are getting anti-wrinkle injections for the first time I would suggest trying it out weeks in advance of an important event to make sure you get the formula just right.
Will I need a top-up?
When I first started anti-wrinkle injections, Dr Petch tweaked my treatment over time to get the results I wanted. You are also invited back two weeks after your initial treatment for a top-up where you can tweak any areas you may not be 100% happy with. My face isn’t fully symmetrical and so I expected to have to go a few times before we perfected my treatment but the results were better than I ever could have hoped. So natural and more symmetrical than I’ve ever been. One of my favourite things about anti-wrinkle injections is that your makeup goes on a dream because your skin is so much smoother. I now have the confidence to go out makeup-free too. I was recommended to visit Dr Petch by a friend and I think a word-of-mouth recommendation is a great place to start when searching for anti-wrinkle injections. Dr Petch was one of two practitioners that I had consultations with before I chose her clinic and I suggest visiting a few places to find a clinic that is perfect for you.
So how long does it last?
Yes, this isn’t the cheapest treatment on the planet so this is a very valid question as it isn’t a one-and-done type of treatment. Again everyone is different and for some people, it will last six months and maybe longer. Mine tends to wear off around the four or five-month mark. Most practitioners will ask you to wait at least 3 months in between treatments.
How much does it cost?
The cost will differ depending on the amount of areas you have done. Mine is around £270.
The most important factor when choosing where to have your anti-wrinkle injections done is picking a qualified and certified practitioner. This isn’t a treatment that you want to scrimp and scrape on price-wise, you want quality products and a professional to administer it.
So how can you tell if a practitioner is qualified?
When I was doing my own research, I studied Dr Petch’s Instagram account as here I could see the results of her work and see if they aligned with my personal preferences. I could also see her qualifications and that she worked out of a professional setting. Feeling safe is paramount so detailed research is essential before you attend an appointment.
You can find Dr Petch’s Instagram here. Any more questions? Leave me a comment!
