Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the UK — safe, effective, and delivering natural-looking results with zero downtime. If you’re considering treatment in Cardiff or Penarth, this guide covers everything you need to know before your first appointment, from how they work to what to expect on the day.
What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medical treatment that temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for expression lines and wrinkles. They’re the most widely performed aesthetic treatment in the UK, and when carried out by a qualified medical professional, they’re both safe and highly effective.
The treatment uses a purified protein — most commonly known by the brand name Botox — that’s injected in tiny amounts into targeted facial muscles. This temporarily reduces muscle activity, smoothing lines on the surface of the skin. The results are not permanent, which is actually one of the treatment’s great strengths: if you’re not happy with the outcome, it will naturally reverse over time.
Common treatment areas include:
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines between the brows (the “11s”)
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Brow lifting
- Bunny lines on the nose
- Lip lines and a subtle lip flip
- Chin dimpling
- Jaw slimming (masseter treatment)
- Neck bands (Nefertiti lift)
You can find full details of the areas we treat at Dawn Clinic on our anti-wrinkle treatments page.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
Most healthy adults in their mid-20s and older who are bothered by dynamic wrinkles — lines caused by repeated facial movement — are good candidates. The treatment works best on expression lines that are visible when your face is moving, rather than deep static lines present even at rest.
You may not be suitable if you are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Taking certain medications (such as blood thinners or aminoglycoside antibiotics)
- Living with certain neuromuscular conditions (such as myasthenia gravis)
- Allergic to any ingredient in the formulation
This is exactly why a proper consultation with a qualified prescriber matters so much. At Dawn Clinic, every patient receives a thorough medical assessment before any treatment is agreed. Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medicine (POM) — they must be prescribed by a qualified prescriber following a face-to-face consultation. Anyone offering them without this step is operating illegally.
Why the Qualifications of Your Practitioner Matter More Than You Think
Choosing who injects you is the single most important decision you’ll make. The UK aesthetics industry is currently unregulated — meaning that, technically, anyone can perform injectable treatments. This is changing, but for now, it places the responsibility firmly on you as a patient to ask the right questions.
At Dawn Clinic in Penarth, your treatment is carried out by Dawn Richardson RGN, V300 — a Registered General Nurse with over 32 years of clinical experience, including 17 years specialising in medical aesthetics. As an independent nurse prescriber (V300), Dawn can prescribe, supply, and administer prescription medicines directly — she doesn’t rely on a third-party prescriber or sign a pre-printed prescription form. That matters enormously for your safety and your results.
Dawn’s nursing background means she brings a genuine clinical eye to every patient. She understands facial anatomy at a medical level, she knows how to recognise contraindications, and she knows when to say no — which is just as important as knowing when to say yes.
Questions worth asking any practitioner before booking:
- What are your medical qualifications?
- Are you a prescriber, or do you use a third-party prescriber?
- What insurance do you hold?
- How do you handle complications?
- Can I see before and after photos of your work?
What Happens at Your Consultation?
A good consultation should feel like a relaxed, two-way conversation — not a sales pitch. At Dawn Clinic, consultations are free of charge and carry absolutely no obligation to proceed. The goal is simply to understand what you’d like to achieve and whether treatment is right for you.
During your consultation, Dawn will:
- Review your full medical history and current medications
- Assess your facial anatomy and skin condition
- Discuss your concerns and the results you’re hoping for
- Explain exactly what treatment would be recommended and why
- Walk you through what to expect before, during, and after treatment
- Give you the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like
It’s also an opportunity for Dawn to understand your aesthetic goals in depth. The aim is never to change how you look — it’s to help you look like a naturally refreshed version of yourself. A practitioner who listens carefully at consultation tends to deliver far better results than one who rushes you through.
You can book your free consultation online via our Pabau booking system, or call us on 07830 520275.
What Happens on Treatment Day?
The actual treatment is straightforward, quick, and for most patients, surprisingly comfortable. From arrival to leaving the clinic, you’re typically looking at around 30 to 45 minutes for a standard treatment session.
Before the Injections
Dawn will review your consent form and check for any changes to your health or medication since your consultation. She’ll cleanse the treatment area and, if needed, apply a topical numbing cream — though many patients find it’s not necessary, as the needles used are extremely fine.
During the Treatment
The injections themselves take just a few minutes. Dawn will ask you to make certain facial expressions — raising your brows, frowning, squinting — so she can precisely identify the muscle activity responsible for your lines. Each injection delivers a tiny, precisely measured amount of product. Most patients describe the sensation as a small, brief pinch.
After the Injections
You’ll be given clear aftercare instructions, which typically include:
- Avoid touching or rubbing the treated area for at least four hours
- Stay upright for four hours post-treatment (no lying flat)
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and steam rooms for 24 hours
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
- Don’t apply make-up to the treated area for at least four hours
- Avoid facials, skin treatments, or face massages for two weeks
There’s no downtime — you can return to work and your normal routine immediately. Some patients experience minor redness or small bumps at the injection sites, but these typically resolve within an hour or two.
When Will I See Results, and How Long Do They Last?
Results typically begin to appear within two to five days, with the full effect visible at around two weeks. This is why most practitioners schedule a two-week review appointment — to assess the results and, if needed, make any minor adjustments.
Anti-wrinkle injections are not permanent. Results generally last between three and four months, though this varies between individuals based on factors including:
- Metabolism — faster metabolisers may find results wear off sooner
- Muscle strength — people with stronger facial muscles (such as those who clench their jaw or have a very expressive face) may find treatment wears off more quickly
- Lifestyle — regular, vigorous exercise can shorten duration
- Treatment area — some areas last longer than others
Many patients find that with regular treatment over time, results begin to last a little longer, as the treated muscles become conditioned to being more relaxed.
How Much Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Cost in Cardiff and Penarth?
Pricing for anti-wrinkle injections across Cardiff and Penarth varies considerably, typically ranging from around £150 to £350 or more depending on the number of areas treated and the clinic’s pricing model.
Be cautious of very low pricing — it may indicate an under-qualified practitioner, a lower-grade product, or inadequate aftercare support. The cost of correcting a poor result is almost always greater than the cost of getting it right first time.
At Dawn Clinic, we’re transparent about pricing. You can view current treatment costs on our anti-wrinkle treatments page, and your consultation is always free with no obligation.
How Is Dawn Clinic Different?
Dawn Clinic is based in Penarth — just 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre — at a beautifully appointed clinic in the historic Old Methodist Church on Albert Road. It’s easy to reach whether you’re coming from central Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, or further afield.
What makes Dawn Clinic genuinely different isn’t the location — it’s the practitioner. With Dawn’s 32 years of nursing experience and 17 years in aesthetics, you’re not seeing someone who’s recently completed a weekend course. You’re seeing a clinician who has treated thousands of patients, who holds a full independent prescribing qualification, and who takes your safety and wellbeing as seriously as your aesthetic goals.
We also offer a broad range of complementary treatments, so if anti-wrinkle injections are just the starting point, there’s a full pathway available. Many of our patients combine anti-wrinkle injections with dermal fillers for a more complete facial rejuvenation — something Dawn can advise on fully during your consultation.
To find out more about who we are and what drives us, visit our About Dawn Clinic page.
If you’re based in Cardiff and looking for the right clinic, we’ve also put together a dedicated guide for Cardiff patients on our Cardiff aesthetics page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are anti-wrinkle injections safe?
Yes — when administered by a qualified medical professional following a proper consultation, anti-wrinkle injections have an excellent safety record. They’ve been used in medical and aesthetic practice for decades. The key is choosing a practitioner with the right qualifications, training, and clinical background. Always ensure your provider is a prescriber — not just an injector.
Does the treatment hurt?
Most patients find the treatment very tolerable. The needles used are extremely fine, and each injection takes only a fraction of a second. The sensation is typically described as a brief, mild pinch. Topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand if you’re particularly sensitive, though the majority of patients don’t feel they need it.
Can anti-wrinkle injections look natural?
Absolutely — this is one of the most common concerns patients raise, and it’s entirely valid. In skilled hands, the goal is always a natural, refreshed result rather than a frozen or overdone appearance. Dawn’s approach is conservative by design: it’s far easier to add a little more at a two-week review than to undo an over-treated result. A practitioner who prioritises subtlety will always deliver better long-term outcomes.
What’s the difference between anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers?
Anti-wrinkle injections work by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause expression lines. Dermal fillers, by contrast, add volume — they’re used to restore lost fullness, define contours, and smooth deeper lines. The two treatments work well together and are often combined. You can find out more about the difference on our dermal fillers page.
How do I find a reputable clinic for anti-wrinkle injections in Cardiff?
Look for a practitioner who is a qualified nurse, doctor, or dentist — and ideally, an independent prescriber. Check their qualifications, ask about their clinical background, and ensure they offer a proper face-to-face consultation before any treatment. Be wary of any clinic that doesn’t ask about your medical history, offers injections without a consultation, or prices treatment significantly below the local average. Dawn Clinic serves patients across Cardiff and the Vale from our Penarth base — just 10 minutes from the city centre.
How do I book an appointment at Dawn Clinic?
You can book your free, no-obligation consultation online at any time through our online booking system, or call Dawn directly on 07830 520275. We’d love to hear from you and help you decide whether treatment is right for you.
