I Just Turned 30 & Here’s What I Learnt After Having Anti-Wrinkle Injectables for the First Time
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
A quick heads up: if you’re no good with seeing or discussing needles, you might want to give this one a miss.
I decided I wanted Botox for the first time six months before my 30th birthday.
After hearing friends talk about it and doing my own research, I looked in the mirror one day and thought, “Why the bloody hell not?” I also review beauty products and treatments for work, so there’s that.
Just in case, this article won’t debate whether having Botox is a radical display of body autonomy or a sign you’ve finally succumbed to the patriarchy.
There are plenty of those hot takes on the internet. I also won’t tell you whether or not you should try it.
That’s for you to decide.
What I will do is answer every question you’ve ever had about Botox and anti-wrinkle injections by speaking to Registered Cosmetic Nurse Steph Dunn from Melbourne-based clinic VERSA Skin & Injectables and documenting my own first-timer experience.
Note: My first VERSA treatment was complimentary. I've since returned as a paying customer.
What Are Anti Wrinkle Injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections (commonly referred to as Botox) are a type of injectable skin treatment.
Are anti-wrinkle injections the same as Botox? Yes.
Botox is one of the most well-known brands of anti-wrinkle injections, alongside Dysport and Xeomin.
It's kind of like how band aids are both what we call things you put on cuts and blisters, and Band-Aid the brand name.
How Does Botox Work?
"Anti-wrinkle injections act as a muscle relaxant by injecting a natural protein that relaxes the specific muscle(s) being treated," Steph says.
"This prevents muscles from contracting, reducing repetitive movement which can change the texture of the skin and lead to fine lines and wrinkles."
Another way Steph explained it to me in clinic involved an exercise analogy - stay with me.
If you stop weight training a certain part of your body, your muscles in that area will weaken or get smaller.
Same goes for the muscles in your face.
What Does Botox Do?
Anti-wrinkle injections can be used as a way to reduce constriction and tension in the face, and smooth the look of skin.
Steph adds, "Anti-wrinkle injections can also be used for a variety of medical conditions."
These include; teeth grinding or clenching, excessive sweating and migraine prevention.
Botox vs Filler: What's the Difference?
Unlike anti-wrinkle injections, which reduce facial muscle movement (and in turn, the look of fine lines), dermal fillers are used to increase volume.
"Dermal fillers are a type of temporary filler that can be used to add and restore volume to different areas of the face."
"Dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring molecule found throughout the body, and dissolve over time."
Is Preventative Botox A Real Thing?
This was one of my most commonly-asked questions.
Everyone wants to know; when's the 'right' time to start getting anti-wrinkle treatments, and can it prevent wrinkles from forming if you start 'early'?
Important note: Anti-wrinkle injections are not available for persons under 18, this includes with parental consent.
But here's Steph's take:
"A good time to start is once you are noticing fine lines sitting static in the skin, without movement."
"If you start when the lines are fine, they are likely to 'go' for a period with one treatment. When wrinkles are deep, you can't expect anti-wrinkle injections to completely remove them, but it can soften the lines and stop them from deepening."
Ultimately, it's about having realistic expectations, and communicating honestly with your injector about the results you're after.
For example, Steph says it's never 'too late' to start on Botox, however realistically, someone with deeper lines would require regular treatments and consistent top ups as soon as the product starts wearing off to achieve a certain result.
Where Can You Get Botox?
Common anti-wrinkle treatment areas include frown lines (11s), forehead lines and ‘crow's feet’ around the eyes.
Anti-wrinkle injections can also help with lifting a heavy brow, and the look of hooded or sagging eyes.
'Gummy smiles’ that show a larger amount of gum than desired, turned down smiles, enlarging the top lip (known as a lip flip), jaw slimming, teeth grinding and excessive sweating in the armpits or hands are all things that may be managed through cosmetic injectables.
Watch this video below to see what an anti-wrinkle injections treatment looks like in real life.
@versa.skinandinjectables Anti-wrinkle injections to the frown and forehead. Results will kick in in two weeks and I’ll be frowned free with no horizontal for headlines. #cosmeticnurse #cosmeticnurseinjector #botox #antiwrinkle ♬ original sound - versa.skinandinjectables
What Happens When You Get Botox?
When I went into VERSA for my anti-wrinkle treatment, Steph spent the first 15-20 minutes assessing my face.
This involved learning a bit about my day-to-day life, looking at my face in the mirror together, and talking me through different treatment options.
She asked me what I hoped to achieve, and crucially, what my expectations were.
This is important because you might have an idea about what you think you want or should have because that's what your friend/family member/work colleague had.
Everyone's face, skin concerns, desired aesthetic and expectations are completely unique.
Me? I wanted 'baby Botox'.
In other words, a subtle 'spattering' of product for a realistic-looking result that relaxed my screen-time squint and resting frown face.
I still wanted to look like me, though.
That meant avoiding the crow's feet area to ensure I'd keep the cheeky crinkle I get when my smile touches my eyes.
With the support of her prescribing doctor, Steph determined Dysport injected into the frown and forehead muscles would be the best fit.
This was partly because anecdotally, Dysport has a more soft-diffused spread effect over a small area, rather than the pin-point potency of Botox.
Next, Steph identified and marked injection points on my face based on the way my face moves naturally.
Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Hurt?
This is subjective, but I didn't find the Botox treatment painful.
Some say it feels like a small ant bite, a little pinch, or a sharp sting.
The treatment doesn't require numbing cream, and the discomfort only lasts as long as the medication is being injected.
And each injection literally takes a few seconds.
All in all, the anti-wrinkle treatment itself took less than 20 minutes. I found any redness went down within an hour, too.
Here's my skin immediately after the treatment.
Botox After Care Basics.
Your injector will run you through anti-wrinkle after care. Here's a recap:
- Do not ice the treated area.
- Stay upright for four hours (lying down can increase chance of medication dispersing to other areas).
- Avoid touching or massaging the face for six hours, and sleeping on your face for the first night (same reason as above).
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours, and excess alcohol consumption for 12 hours (can increase risk of bruising).
- Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, and fish oil for 24 hours unless advised by a doctor (can increase risk of bruising).
- No massaging or firm pressure on the treated area for a week, and no skin treatments (facials, laser, peels etc.) for two weeks.
- You may initially feel a slight prickly or tingling sensation in the injected areas, this is normal.
- Always consult your injector or medical professional for personalised advice.
I also avoided active skincare products for a couple of days, and kept my skincare routine simple with just cleanser, moisturiser and SPF.
How Long Does Botox Take to Work?
Googling 'how long does it take for Botox to work'?
Steph says you can "expect to see full results within four to 14 days after your treatment."
If you're wanting to know how long it takes for Botox to kick in so you can time your treatment ahead of an occasion or event, Steph suggests starting four weeks out.
"Give it two weeks to fully kick in, then another two weeks for any little tweaks."
I had a follow-up appointment around three weeks after my initial treatment.
This is a chance for your injector to action any feedback you have, and make any adjustments.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections Before & After.
These images were taken six weeks apart.
And yes, I washed my hair and had my brows tinted during that time!
How Long Does Botox Last?
The short answer to 'how long do anti wrinkle injections last' is... depends.
One of the biggest things I learnt about Botox is everyone's body will metabolise it (or use it up) at a different rate.
It's also not really a one-and-done kind of skin treatment.
"Anti-wrinkle injections are effective for a few weeks to months, depending on the individual and the area treated."
"They do not provide a permanent solution, as your body slowly metabolises the medication. Regular anti-wrinkle treatments will extend results, therefore extending time between each treatment."
While regular treatments are recommended to maintain results, it wouldn't be a 'waste of money' to go once or twice a year.
Any treatment will give lines a chance to soften. Again, it comes back to having realistic expectations.
Can You Get Botox While Pregnant?
To whether anti-wrinkle injections are safe for pregnant people, Steph says:
"As it is still unclear whether the mediations used for these treatments are transferred through breast milk, or impact an unborn baby during pregnancy, VERSA does not offer anti-wrinkle or dermal filler treatments for these people."
How Much Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Cost?
The price of anti-wrinkle treatments will vary between each individual and treatment.
Every injector can charge differently. Some places may charge by how many units of product were injected.
A modern approach to pricing involves calculating cost based on the area being treated, the muscle strength, and the desired outcome.
Steph says an in-person consult is the best way to get an accurate quote, however below is a price guide:
- Lip flip, eyebrow lift - From $110
- Down-turned smile, gummy smile, chin - From $120
- Frown, forehead, tension headaches - From $175-$220
- Crow's feet - From $220
- Jaw slimming, teeth grinding - From $450
Final Thoughts on Anti-Wrinkle Injections.
When searching for an injectables clinic, there are a few key things to look for:
- Experience - Is it a specialised injectables skin clinic, or a generalised clinic that offers injectables among many other services?
- Qualifications - Is the injector qualified? Look for clinics where medical doctors or registered nurses are administering the product.
- Ethos - What is the injector's approach? How collaborative and personalised are their treatments?
- Aesthetic - Go on their Instagram, do the before and after photos match the kind of results you're after?
Feeling comfortable is super important, too.
If you have no idea about injectables or don't know what to 'ask for', let your injector know you're a first-timer, and they'll guide you through it.
Hopefully, this article answers your burning Botox and anti-wrinkle injection questions.
If you want to know more, slide into my Instagram DMs anytime.
Just like I share the skincare I put on my face, I'm more than happy to chat about what I've had put in it.
And unless you intend it to be, I also don't think having (or not having) cosmetic injectables needs to be a values statement or stand for anything.
It's your face. So it's your choice. That's it.
This article represents one individual's experience and should not be substituted for professional, personalised advice.
Want to read more skin treatment reviews? Check out these Beauty IQ articles here:
