Lines on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes are some of the most common reasons patients come to see us. Treatment starts with a consultation with Dr Rob Humphries to work out what is driving yours and what treatment is most appropriate.
At a glance
Lines fall into two broad groups. Dynamic lines appear when you move your face, such as frowning, raising your eyebrows or smiling, and do not require treatment. Static lines are visible even when your face is at rest, come from repeated contraction of the muscles underneath the skin. These become etched into the skin over time as collagen and elasticity decline.
Dr Humphries will look at your skin quality, how your facial muscles move, your brow position and the underlying structure of your face. He will talk through what you would like to change and what is realistic, then recommend a plan.
Depending on what we find, options may include:
Prescription-only medicines are only offered after a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, and only where they are appropriate for you. Pricing available on request.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine that temporarily reduces the activity of the muscles it is injected into. It is given through very fine injections and the appointment usually takes 15 minutes.
The effect usually begins within a few days and reaches its full effect after around two weeks. It typically lasts three months, after which muscle activity gradually returns.
Possible side effects include redness, swelling or bruising at injection sites, headache, and temporary drooping of the eyelid or brow. Rarely, effects can spread beyond the treated area. Dr Humphries will discuss these with you in full before any treatment.
It is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis, have an infection at the treatment site, or take certain medications. You will complete a full medical history before treatment.
That depends on whether your lines are caused by movement, skin ageing or both. This is what the consultation is for.
The aim of any treatment we recommend is to soften lines while keeping normal expression. Your plan is based on how your face moves.
Yes. Deeper lines visible at rest usually respond better to treatments that rebuild the skin, such as laser resurfacing, than to muscle treatment alone.
It varies. Some options have none. Laser resurfacing can involve several days of redness and peeling. Dr Humphries will explain what to expect for your plan.
Yes. All treatment for lines and wrinkles starts with a consultation with a doctor.
Dr Rob Humphries MB BChir (Cantab), BDS, MRCS is the founder of Aion Labs. He studied medicine at Cambridge and dentistry at King’s College London, trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and is an award-winning international trainer for several laser devices.
