TL;DR
- Botox relaxes certain facial muscles, so lines look softer.
- Results show in a few days and last for about 3 to 4 months.
- Botox can treat different areas, such as the forehead, jawline, and brow.
- Forehead appears smoother, and lines become lighter.
- Brows lift slightly, making the eyes look wider and more awake.
- The lower face gradually looks slimmer and more V-shaped, and jaw tension reduces.
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes soften, while expressions remain natural.
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows fade, giving the face a softer, calmer look.
- There is almost no downtime, and most people return to daily activities right away.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin type A, or Botox, is a simple non-surgical cosmetic treatment used to soften fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Because of its noticeable, natural-looking results with minimal downtime, it has become a preferred choice among individuals looking to enhance their appearance while preserving their unique facial features.
At Dental & Wellness London, one of the most common questions we hear from patients is how Botox works and what kind of results they can realistically expect. This article provides expert insights on Botox before-and-after effects on facial appearance to help you feel confident and well-informed.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by using a refined form of botulinum toxin to relax specific facial muscles temporarily. These muscles are responsible for dynamic wrinkles, which develop over time due to repeated expressions such as smiling, frowning, or squinting.
When these muscles are relaxed, the skin above them appears smoother, helping soften visible lines like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead creases. As a result, the face looks more youthful, refreshed, and less tired, without altering natural expressions.
The effects of Botox typically last for a few months (typically 3 to 4 months). During this time, muscle movement is reduced, allowing the skin to rest and maintain a smoother appearance. Gradually, normal muscle activity returns, at which point repeat treatment may be considered to maintain results.
Botox Before and After: What to Expect?
Botox results depend on your individual features, the areas you choose to treat, and the appearance you’re aiming for. Here are area-specific changes of what usually happens:
- Forehead Lines
Forehead Botox is a popular option for anyone looking to smooth out the horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
- Before treatment:
Horizontal lines appear even when the face is resting, or they deepen with movement. These creases make a person look tired and stressed.
- After treatment:
The forehead looks smoother, and the lines become much lighter, giving the face a relaxed look. The area still moves, but more gently. This is one of the most common Botox before-and-after forehead results people love.
- Eyebrow Lift
A Botox brow lift uses a few small injections to gently raise the eyebrows, helping open up the eye area and create a brighter appearance. When comparing the Botox brow lift before-and-after results, the changes are subtle yet clearly noticeable.
- Before treatment:
Your brows may sit lower or feel a bit heavy, almost making your eyes look weighed down. Many people say their eyes look tired, even if they aren’t.
- After treatment:
The eyebrows arch slightly higher, and the eyes look wider and more awake. This refreshed look is what most people notice when comparing Botox eyebrow lift before-and-after results.
- Masseter Botox
Masseter Botox targets the jaw muscles you use for chewing. Some people have strong masseters, which makes their face appear wider and more square.
- Before treatment:
Your jawline might seem too square or bulky. You might also feel jaw tension or notice teeth grinding.
- After treatment:
Your lower face looks slimmer and more V-shaped. Jaw tension lessens. These changes develop over time, with masseter Botox before-and-after results becoming more visible over the following weeks.
- Crow’s Feet
These fine lines appear at the outer edges of the eyes due to frequent smiling and squinting.
- Before treatment:
When you smile or squint, fine lines show up at the outer corners of your eyes.
- After treatment:
The area appears smoother. The lines soften, but you still have a natural look.
- Frown Lines (“11s”)
The vertical lines between the eyebrows, often called “11s,” can make the face appear tense or unhappy.
- Before treatment:
Lines are visible between the brows, sometimes giving a stern or worried appearance.
- After treatment:
The muscles relax. Those lines fade, and your expression looks softer and calmer.
How Long Do Botox Results Take?
Botox does not work immediately; its effects develop gradually as it relaxes the targeted muscles. The following are the changes expected with timelines:
Results usually last 3 to 4 months with regular treatments, though this varies based on various factors like:
- Muscle strength: Stronger facial muscles may take longer to relax.
- Individual metabolism: Faster metabolisers may see results appear sooner but fade quicker.
- Dosage used: Lower doses can produce subtler, slower results; higher doses may act faster.
- Treatment area: Some areas (e.g., crow’s feet) respond more quickly than others (e.g., forehead).
- Previous Botox treatments: Regular users may notice results sooner over time.
- Technique and injection accuracy: Skilled placement helps results develop more predictably.
- Skin condition and age: Younger skin responds faster; mature skin may take slightly longer.
Is Botox Safe?
When done by a trained professional, Botox is considered safe. The purified neurotoxin is used in minute, controlled, and highly localised doses that have been rigorously tested and approved by health authorities such as the FDA.
Side effects are usually small and temporary, such as:
- Tiny bit of redness.
- Mild pain and swelling.
- Bruising at the injection site
- Ptosis (temporary drooping of upper eyelids)
However, Botox is not recommended for:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding woman.
- People with nerve- and muscle-related diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis) may experience complications.
- People with an allergy to Botox ingredients, including botulinum toxin or the formulation’s proteins.
- People with any active infections.
- People on blood thinners, as it can increase the risk of bleeding.
Conclusion
Botox smooths out your skin, giving you a brighter, more relaxed appearance, while still allowing you to look like yourself. As per the experts, people see a subtle lift, nothing drastic, but feel a little more confident when they look at their Botox before-and-after results.
Our skilled skin specialists in London will examine your facial skin thoroughly and recommend a customised and safe Botox treatment plan designed to smooth fine lines while maintaining natural-looking results. Our skin experts ensure the experience is safe, simple, and tailored to your goals.
If you are looking for Botox in Islington, the team at Dental & Wellness London is here to help. Having treated over 5,000 patients, we bring experience you can trust.
Contact us today at 02081274567 or reception@dentalwellnesslondon.co.uk
Our address: 222 Essex Rd, London N1 3AP, United Kingdom
FAQs
When can I start seeing results from Botox?
Most people notice changes within three to five days. After about two weeks, your muscles will be completely relaxed, and then you will notice the full effect.
Will Botox make you look frozen or unnatural?
Not at all. As long as you visit someone experienced, you’ll look just like yourself, just a bit more refreshed. You’ll still be able to laugh, smile, and make all your normal expressions.
How long do Botox results last?
You can expect the effects to last three to four months. After a few treatments, some people find their results last even longer, since their muscles become accustomed to relaxing.
Is Botox treatment painful?
Most people describe Botox injections as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. The needles used are super fine, and the procedure is quick. Any discomfort usually lasts only a few seconds.
Is there any downtime after Botox?
Botox requires little to no downtime. Most people return to most daily activities immediately after treatment, although your practitioner may recommend avoiding strenuous physical exercise or lying flat for a few hours.
Dr. Vishal Patel
Dr Vishal Patel has been transforming smiles and confidence since 2006. Trained by the AACD in the USA and holding an MSc from Manchester, he blends advanced dentistry with facial aesthetics, including Botox and dermal fillers. Having cared for patients across London, Essex and Melbourne, his calm, holistic approach builds trust and results that feel beautifully natural.
