What is “Botox”?
An injectable treatment used to help soften the appearance of dynamic facial lines. This page is informational and does not advertise prescription-only medicines.
Note: Botox® is a registered brand name for botulinum toxin type A. Any prescription treatment is only provided after a face-to-face assessment confirms medical suitability.
How it works
Neuromuscular modulation
Botulinum toxin type A, in carefully measured doses, reduces specific muscle activity that contributes to the appearance of expression lines.
Subtle, not “frozen”
Planned placement and conservative dosing aim to maintain natural expression while softening unwanted lines.
Commonly assessed areas
- Frown (glabellar) lines — vertical lines between the brows
- Forehead lines — horizontal lines across the forehead
- Crow’s feet — lines around the outer eyes
- Bunny lines — fine lines along the nose
- Mouth corners (DAO) — downturned appearance
- Masseter / bruxism — jaw tension; face-slimming effect may be discussed in consultation
- Underarm sweating — excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis)
What to expect at an appointment
Consultation & screening
A clinician reviews your medical history, facial animation and goals, and explains options, risks and aftercare.
Procedure & settling
The procedure itself is typically brief. Early changes may be noticed within several days, with settling by ~2 weeks.
Safety & considerations
Common temporary effects
Small pin-pricks, redness or mild bruising can occur and usually settle without issue.
Who may not be suitable?
We typically avoid treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with certain neuromuscular conditions, with infection at the injection site, or when interacting medicines are present. Suitability is assessed case-by-case.
Why Santi London
Clinician-led care
Treatments are administered or supervised by experienced medical practitioners.
Conservative, natural aesthetic
We favour subtle outcomes and review follow-up when appropriate.
Integrated skin plan
Where helpful, we combine with skin health strategies (e.g., peels, skin boosters) on an appropriate timeline.
Privacy-first
Clear consent, secure records and a calm, GDPR-first environment.
Will I look “frozen”?
Appropriate dosing and placement aim to keep natural movement while softening lines.
How long between appointments?
Cadence varies by area and individual. Your clinician will discuss timing once results have settled.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe a quick pinch. Any discomfort is usually brief.
Is this page advertising a prescription-only medicine?
No. This page is educational. Any prescription treatment is only provided after a face-to-face assessment confirms medical suitability.
Want to understand if treatment for facial lines is suitable for you? Book a clinical consultation to discuss options safely.
Cosmetic injections are a popular – and often misunderstood – non-surgical procedure famous for reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles.
Botox
When injected in small doses injections such as Botox, one of the leading brands, smooth and improve the contours of the face, giving a more youthful look.
Preventative Aesthetic Treatments
Botox can be used preventatively to preserve a youthful complexion and delay the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines and wrinkles. Santi Kensington is a pioneering clinic in aesthetics and skin research – where you will always be treated by an expert.
Baby Botox Treatments
Botox is a highly purified and diluted form of the Botulinum toxin which temporarily blocks the connection between nerves and muscles. When administered to lined or furrowed areas such as the forehead and eye area Botox relaxes the facial muscles, thereby smoothing the skin above. This partial muscle paralysis is temporary and when administered properly, subtle. The spectre of the ‘frozen face’ and the ‘wind tunnel effect’ is a thing of the past – provided your practitioner has extensive medical and aesthetic experience.
A bit of History on Botox
Botox has a colourful history. It’s the most popular cosmetic treatment of the 21st century, but it was discovered a hundred years earlier by Émile Pierre van Ermengem, a Belgian scientist, during a Botulism outbreak in 1920. Its therapeutic potential wasn’t glimpsed until the 1970s when it was trialled as a treatment for muscle related eye disorders. Researchers discovered the miraculous effect Botulinum A toxin had on strabismus, or crossed eyes, when injected in low doses – and noted an unexpected side effect. Test subjects were displaying remarkably smoothed glabella lines, the vertical ‘frown lines’ between the eyebrows, an effect persisting for months at a time. This wasn’t observed in human trials until 1987 when Canadian ophthalmologists injected what was then marketed as Oculinum into their assistant’s frown lines, trialling the world’s first cosmetic application of Botox and revolutionising the aesthetics industry.
The early years saw a meteoric rise in Botox’s popularity, mostly in the US, accompanied by an infamous black market, disreputable practitioners and off-label use which made sensational headlines.
Subsequently regulations are tighter, particularly in the UK, and reliable Botox treatments are available everywhere from Harley St to the high street. Today it is estimated there are a million Botox treatments administered each year in the UK alone. Tens of millions of people worldwide have benefited from this aesthetic treatment and ever-evolving discovery, with further potential coming to light. Increasingly used in the treatment of migraines and even depression, the Botox story isn’t over yet!
While cosmetic injection treatments have become almost entirely normalised and widespread, treatment by a plastic surgeon remains the gold standard. An expert is the best port of call if you wish to feel secure, have access to follow-up consultation advice and be assured of proper dose size regulation (US FDA guidelines recommend a minimum 12 week interval between treatments and encourage low doses.) At Santi you will be treated by some of London’s best cosmetic doctors, following an under-treatment policy whereby the lowest effective dose is administered – ensuring a safe, subtle and satisfactory result.
Read more on cosmetic injections and their uses: