How Botox Temporarily Reduces Wrinkles

Julia @ Flawless Medical Cosmetics
Aug 6
3 min read

Have you ever caught yourself frowning into the mirror and thinking, “Where did that line come from?” Well, you're not alone. Wrinkles are a natural part of ageing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t soften their appearance.

And that’s where Botox comes in (also known and referred to as wrinkle relaxation).

As wrinkle relaxation is one of the most popular treatments here at Flawless Medical Cosmetics (and among injectable treatments), I often get asked how Botox actually works. So I wanted to share the juicy stuff with you – no complicated science lesson, just the facts you need to know before you book.

First Things First: What is Botox?

Botox is a prescription medication that’s been used safely and effectively for years to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements like frowning, squinting, raising your brows, or smiling (yep, even happy expressions can leave a mark over time!).

It’s not a filler, and it doesn’t “freeze” your face when done correctly anyway! Botox simply relaxes the muscles that are pulling on the skin, giving you a softer, more refreshed look. It's as simple as that!

So, How Does Botox Actually Work?

When you frown or squint, your facial muscles contract, and over time, those movements leave behind creases in the skin. These are called dynamic wrinkles. You'll better know these as forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines between the eyebrows.

And here's where Botox steps in:

Botox works by blocking a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which your nerves use to tell muscles to contract.
When Botox is injected into targeted areas, it binds to the nerve endings and stops acetylcholine from being released.
Without this signal, the muscle simply doesn’t contract, or at least not with the same strength, so the overlying skin gets a break from all that movement.
The result? Smoother skin and softer expression lines.

The effect is temporary despite all the funny memes or clickbait shock stories that you might see, and that’s a good thing because it gives your face the ability to move naturally while still reducing those visible creases.

When Will You See Results?

My patients usually start noticing a difference within a few days, with full results developing fully between 7 and 14 days after your treatment. Most patients enjoy the effects for 3 to 6 months (sometimes even longer), depending on how your body metabolises the product and how expressive you naturally are. Every patient and every face is unique, which means that the results are too.

Once the Botox begins to wear off, normal muscle movement gradually returns, which means lines may start to reappear. That’s your cue to top up if you want to maintain the result...and when my phone is off the hook with appointments!

What Wrinkles Does Botox Treat Best?

Now in the UK, you have to (rightfully) be 18 or older to be able to receive anti-wrinkle treatment, and I'd say that as soon as your lines are making you feel less confident or bothering you more and more each day, that's probably the time to ring a medical professional like myself for an initial consultation and facial assessment.

These are the common moments when patients tend to find themselves calling me, their trusty injector:

Forehead lines: Those horizontal creases that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
Frown lines: The “11s” between your brows.
Crow’s feet: Lines at the outer corners of the eyes when you smile or squint.
Bunny lines. Little lines that appear on the nose when you scrunch it.

Everyone ages differently and at different times of their life, but generally, we begin to see the effects of ageing as early as our early 20s through early 30s, depending on your individual movement patterns, lifestyle, and genetics...yes, it's all in the genes, as Sydney Sweeney would say!

It's important to note that Botox isn’t designed for deeper static lines (those that stick around even when your face is at rest), but it can help soften them over time, especially when combined with other treatments. Which is why most patients like to start Botox treatments in their early to mid-20s.

Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause expression lines, giving your skin a chance to smooth out and reset. It’s not about changing how you look; it’s about looking like you, just a little more rested and a little less creased.

If you’re curious about whether Botox is right for you or want to know which areas would benefit most, feel free to reach out or book a consultation. I’ll always take the time to talk you through it, answer any questions, and create a personalised treatment plan that suits your features and your skin goals.