Frequently asked questions

Anti-wrinkle injections

Who cannot have these?

  • People with neuromuscular disorders

  • People who are pregnant or breast feeding

  • People who have had an allergic reaction to botulium toxin

  • People who have a bleeding disorder

  • Are taking blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin

What are the risks?

  • Bruising

  • Redness or irritation at the injection sites

  • Swelling, including under-eye puffiness

  • Headache for 1-3 days post treatment

  • Eyelid inflammation

  • Uneven effect on one side

  • Drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid (ptosis)

  • Raised brow on one side (Spock brow)

  • Visual disturbance

  • Allergic reactions

An uneven effect or raised eyebrow can be common while your practitioner is assessing how much product you need. This can be reviewed at the follow-up appointment.

What do I need to do before treatment?

  • Injections can feel like a pin prick. You can take 1g of paracetamol before you come to help ease this.

  • Avoid taking anti-inflammatories ( e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) if it is safe to do so, 3 days before injection as this can increase the risk of bruising.

  • Avoid alcohol, fish oils, St. John’s Wort, Gingko Biloba, garlic & vitamin E 3 days before treatment to reduce the risk of bruising.


What is the aftercare?

  • Avoid lying flat for at least 4 hours

  • Avoid touching the area for 24 hours

  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours

  • Avoid excessive exercise for 24 hours

  • Avoid extremes of heat like direct sun or saunas for at least 24 hours

We will have a follow-up appointment after 2 weeks.

Dermal fillers

Who cannot have these?

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • If you have a history of keloid scarring with minimal trauma to the skin

  • If you have cancer or are having treatment

  • If you have an immune disorder or are taking immunosuppressant medication

  • If you have an allergy to the product we use

  • If you have a lidocaine allergy

Suitability will be assessed fully during your initial assessment.

What are the risks?

  • Swelling, redness, bruising (this is all common and will settling after a few days)

  • Allergic reaction

  • Nodular formation (lumps which can occur early on and will settle)

  • Granuloma formation (later onset nodules due to your body’s immune reaction)

  • Uneven result due to filler migration

  • Vascular occlusion and skin changes (signs of this occur immediately and can be treated by dissolving the filler)

  • Blindness (extremely rare and can occur when injecting around the eye and nose, the risk is 0.001% )

What do I need to do before treatment?

  • Stop taking anti-inflammatories and blood thinning medication (aspirin, ibuprofen and including supplements like fish oil, vitamin E, and gingko biloba) for a week before the treatment to reduce bruising

  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours as it can increase the risk of bruising

  • Avoid using active skincare products like retinol, AHAs, and BHAs for a few days before the treatment 

  • Avoid heavy exercise 24 hours prior to your appointment

  • If you are having lip filler and have a history of cold sores, please start taking anti-viral tablets 2 days prior to the procedure

What is the aftercare?

  • Do not touch the area for 6 hours

  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours afterwards

  • Do not apply makeup for 24 hours

  • Avoid heavy exercise 24 hours after treatment

  • Avoid restarting active skincare products (retinol, AHA/BHAs) for 2 days after treatment

  • Avoid facials, sun beds, chemical peels and laser resurfacing for 7 days after treatment

  • Lip swelling may worsen in the first 24 hours, but then should settle within the first few days. Cold packs can be helpful to reducing swelling. As a consequence of swelling, the product may feel harder or lumpy and you may notice some asymmetry

Botulinum toxin A for hyperhidrosis

What are the causes of excessive sweating from the armpits?

Often it is hereditary and there is no underlying cause. Anxiety can make it worse and being overweight can also exacerbate it. Certain medications such as antidepressants can be a cause, as can drinking too much caffeine.

“Secondary” hyperhidrosis can be due to many underlying issues such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and menopause. I will assess you to see if treatment with botulinum toxin A is an option.

What are the risks?

  • Bruising, redness and irritation at the injection site for a few days

  • Nausea and headaches for a few days

  • Nodules at the injection site

  • Sometimes other parts of your body might sweat more. This should ease within a few days

  • Very rarely muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing or breathing

  • Allergic reactions

Usually sweating diminishes within 48 hours and the effects can last 6 months or longer.

What do I need to do before treatment?

See above advice for cosmetic botulinum toxin A injections. In addition:

  • Shave armpits 3 days before the appointment

  • Avoid deodorant or antiperspirant on the day if you can

What is the aftercare?

  • Avoid tight fitting top over the area and white T-shirts or tops immediately after treatment

  • Avoid consuming alcohol for 24 hours

  • Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours after treatment

  • Avoid taking aspirin, or ibuprofen after your treatment for 24 hours

  • Avoid applying deodorant after treatment for 12 hours

  • Avoid hot baths or showers for 12 hours after treatment