Non-Surgical · Injectables
Botox in London
Doctor-led botulinum toxin treatment, dosed conservatively and reviewed at two weeks. Movement preserved, lines softened — never frozen.
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Hello!
Medically reviewed by Dr Hassan SoueidConsultant Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon
Overview
What is Botox?
Botox is the trade name for botulinum toxin type A — a purified protein that temporarily relaxes specific facial muscles when injected in tiny doses. It softens dynamic wrinkles (lines created by repeated muscle movement) without affecting expression as a whole.
At Kensington Cosmetic Clinic anti-wrinkle injections are performed by doctors and specialist nurse-prescribers — never by non-medical practitioners. Treatments start with conservative dosing and are reviewed at two weeks, with adjustment offered as standard rather than as a paid extra.
We treat both classical anti-ageing indications (forehead, glabella, crow's feet) and newer functional indications: jaw slimming (masseter), gummy smile, bunny lines, and chin dimpling.
The signature of considered Botox is preserved expression — your face still looks like itself, just better rested.
How it works
Where Botox is placed
A diagram of the procedure. Hover any pulsing marker to see how each anatomical layer is treated by Dr Hassan.
Hover or tap any highlighted region
Illustration is anatomical only — the procedure is tailored individually at consultation.
Treated Areas
Areas Botox can treat
Botox addresses dynamic wrinkles — lines caused by muscle movement. Static wrinkles (visible at rest) are better treated with skin-quality treatments, fillers or surgery.
Upper Face
Forehead lines
Horizontal lines across the forehead from raising the eyebrows. Conservative dosing preserves natural brow movement — no frozen forehead.
Glabella (frown lines)
Vertical lines between the eyebrows from frowning or concentration. The most reliable indication for botulinum toxin — visible improvement at 2 weeks, lasting 3–4 months.
Crow's feet
Lines fanning from the outer corner of the eyes during smiling. Treated with very small precise doses to soften lines without losing the natural eye expression.
Brow lift
A subtle non-surgical brow lift achieved by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow down — creating a fresher, more open eye area.
Lower Face & Neck
Bunny lines
Diagonal lines on either side of the nose during smiling. Quick, low-dose treatment with high satisfaction.
Lip flip
A small dose at the upper lip border softens the inward roll, creating subtle natural fullness without filler.
Marionette lines / DAO
The depressor anguli oris muscle pulls the corners of the mouth downward. Targeting it lifts the corners of the mouth subtly for a more rested expression.
Mental crease
Dimpling of the chin (the 'orange peel' look) caused by an overactive mentalis muscle. Smoothed with low-dose treatment.
Platysmal bands (neck)
Vertical cords in the neck. Botulinum toxin relaxes these for short-term softening; surgical platysmaplasty is offered for definitive treatment.
Functional
Masseter (jaw slimming)
The masseter is the chewing muscle. In some patients it is genetically enlarged, producing a square jawline or worsening teeth grinding. Botulinum toxin reduces its bulk over 8–12 weeks for a softer jaw contour and bruxism relief.
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Underarm, palmar or plantar excessive sweating. Treated with botulinum toxin in a clinic appointment with results lasting 6–9 months.
Migraine
Chronic migraine treatment with botulinum toxin is well-established and may be appropriate alongside referral to a neurologist. We can co-ordinate.
Gummy smile
A small dose at the elevators of the upper lip reduces the amount of gum show during smiling — a subtle but high-impact treatment.
Materials
Which botulinum toxins do we use?
Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox / Vistabel)
We use thisThe original, most-studied formulation. Predictable, consistent results with a long safety record. Our default first-line choice for new patients.
Abobotulinumtoxin A (Azzalure)
We use thisAn alternative formulation with slightly different dosing and a marginally faster onset. Used where appropriate, particularly for patients who have responded sub-optimally to other formulations.
Incobotulinumtoxin A (Bocouture)
We use thisA 'naked' toxin without complexing proteins — theoretically lower risk of antibody formation. Used for patients requiring repeated treatment over many years.
Daxibotulinumtoxin A (Daxxify)
We don't useNewer, longer-lasting formulation. We are conservative with new toxins until long-term safety data is fully established. Available on case-by-case discussion.
Candidate
Who is anti-wrinkle treatment for?
- Wishes to soften dynamic lines (forehead, frown, crow's feet) without surgery
- Has realistic expectations — softening, not erasure; preserved expression, not frozen
- Is in good general health, not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Has no neuromuscular conditions (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton)
- Is not on aminoglycoside antibiotics
Benefits at KCC
The KCC Clinic difference
- All injecting performed by doctors or specialist nurse-prescribers — never non-medics
- Conservative dosing as standard — adjustment included at 2 weeks, not extra
- Photographs at every treatment for accurate longitudinal review
- All toxins drawn freshly on the day — never stored reconstituted product
- Discreet appointments under 30 minutes
- Discreet Kensington location with private parking and concierge support
Investment
Pricing on consultation
Every patient is different — the area, technique and number of stages shape the plan. We share full pricing during your private consultation, after Dr Hassan or your treating clinician has reviewed your goals in person.
Before
How to prepare
Anti-wrinkle treatment is quick and well-tolerated. A few simple steps reduce the risk of bruising.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
- Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin and fish oil for 48 hours where medically possible
- Eat well and arrive hydrated — low blood sugar increases bruising risk
- Arrive without makeup in the treatment area
- Allow 2 weeks before any major social event for the result to fully settle
The Treatment
Procedure overview
Consultation
A medical history is taken and the treatment area is examined at rest and during animation. Photography is taken in standardised lighting. The treatment plan, dose and any contraindications are discussed before consenting.
Treatment
The toxin is injected with very fine needles (32G) at multiple precise points. Total treatment time is typically 5–15 minutes depending on areas treated. Most patients describe the sensation as a quick pinch.
- Onset — first effects visible 3–5 days, full effect at 14 days.
- Duration — 3–4 months for most areas; up to 6 months for masseter.
- Review — complimentary review at 2 weeks for any small adjustment if required.
Step by Step
Your patient journey
Anti-wrinkle treatment is short and well-tolerated — but the considered approach is what produces a natural-looking result.
01 · The Consultation
Mapping your facial movement
An assessment of your face at rest and during animation — frowning, smiling, raising the brows. Photography in standardised lighting. We agree on which muscles to treat, the conservative starting dose and what we expect at the two-week review.
02 · Preparation
Reducing bruising risk
Twenty-four hours alcohol-free. Forty-eight hours off ibuprofen and aspirin where medically safe. Eat well, hydrate, arrive without makeup in the treatment area. Allow two weeks before any major social event for the result to fully settle.
03 · The Procedure
Quick, precise, doctor-led
All injecting performed by doctors or specialist nurse-prescribers. Multiple precise injections with very fine 32G needles at calibrated points. Total appointment time is typically 5 to 15 minutes. Toxin is drawn freshly on the day — never stored reconstituted product.
04 · Review & Aftercare
The two-week refinement
First effects visible at 3 to 5 days, full effect at 14 days. The two-week review is included as standard — we add small adjustments where indicated rather than charging for them. Maintenance every 3 to 4 months for most areas.
After
Recovery & aftercare
Botulinum toxin has no meaningful downtime. Most patients return to normal activity immediately.
- No exercise, sauna or steam rooms for 24 hours
- Avoid lying flat for 4 hours after treatment
- No facial massage or facials for 14 days
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and continue gentle hydration
- Attend the 2-week review for any small adjustment
Results
How long do results last?
Results vary by indication, individual metabolism and dose. Repeated treatment can extend duration over time as muscles weaken with disuse.
- Forehead, frown lines, crow's feet — 3 to 4 months
- Masseter (jaw slimming) — 4 to 6 months, with progressive muscle reduction over 6+ treatments
- Hyperhidrosis (sweating) — 6 to 9 months
- Gummy smile, lip flip, mental crease — 8 to 12 weeks
Questions
Botox in London FAQs
Will I look frozen?+
Not if dosed correctly. The 'frozen' look comes from over-dosing and treating every available muscle. Our brief is preserved expression — softer lines while still allowing natural movement. We deliberately under-dose new patients on first treatment and review at 2 weeks rather than chasing immediate maximum effect.
Are anti-wrinkle injections safe?+
Botulinum toxin has been used cosmetically for over 30 years with an excellent safety record when administered by appropriately trained medical practitioners. Side effects are typically mild and self-resolving (small bruising, mild headache). Serious complications are very rare and almost always related to non-medical injecting or counterfeit product.
How is Botox different from filler?+
Botulinum toxin relaxes muscles, softening dynamic wrinkles. Dermal filler adds volume, restoring lost structure or refining shape. They are complementary — we often combine them on the same day where indicated, but they treat different things.
Can I have anti-wrinkle treatment in my twenties?+
It depends on the indication. Some patients in their late twenties have genetically deep glabellar lines that benefit from treatment; preventative treatment in patients with no visible lines is rarely advised by us. Dr Hassan or your treating clinician will give you a frank opinion on whether treatment is right for you yet.
What if I don't like the result?+
Botulinum toxin wears off completely. Unlike a filler complication, the effect is fully reversible — albeit by waiting (3–4 months) rather than dissolving. This is part of why we dose conservatively: it is easier to add a small top-up at 2 weeks than to wait out an over-treatment.
How often should I have it?+
Most patients return every 4 months for the first year, then often extend to every 5–6 months as the muscles weaken with consistent treatment. There is no medical pressure to maintain a strict schedule — treat when you feel you need it.
Private enquiry
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