Anti-wrinkle injections Botulinum toxin for forehead lines, frown lines and crow's feet
A small dose of botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle that folds the skin: movement lines usually soften over about two weeks, and the effect wears off over three to four months.
Key facts
- Who you’ll see
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- Dr. Svetlana Tagaeva Medical Director
- Dr. Olga Seredina Trichology, cosmetology
- Dr. Olga Ibrakova Cosmetology
- Dr. Daria Banina Cosmetology
- Dr. Katerina Nikolaevskaya Cosmetology
- Dr. Tatiana Pospelova Cosmetology
- Where
- CREAMÉ, 350 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
- Session
- A few minutes of injections, after the assessment
- Numbing
- Optional: numbing cream or ice
- Downtime
- Usually little or none
- Course
- One session, repeated when it wears off if you wish
What anti-wrinkle treatment is used for
Lines that come and go with expression: frown lines, forehead lines, crow's feet.
Who anti-wrinkle treatment usually suits
- Lines that come and go with expression: between the brows, across the forehead, at the corners of the eyes.
- You want to look rested while your face still moves, and are happy to repeat the treatment every three to four months if you wish.
- Men and women: the dose follows each person's muscles, not a set formula.
- Your first time: we start with the smallest dose that does the job and review it at about two weeks.
- Lines etched at rest, folds from lost volume and sagging skin need other treatments, such as filler, skin boosters or a lifting device; we tell you which.
Concerns it may help with
Related treatments
From the Journal
- Filler, anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosters or a device: which does what
- Units, syringes and millilitres: how injectables are measured, and why the amount varies
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: what is normal for skin, hair and legs, and which treatments wait
- Aesthetic treatments for men in Dubai: what men ask for, and what is different
- Ramadan and your skin: a simple routine for the fasting month
- Planning treatments around a flight: before you fly, and after you land
- Before a wedding in Dubai: when to book each treatment
- How to choose an aesthetic clinic in Dubai (without getting oversold)
How anti-wrinkle treatment works
Botulinum toxin type A, a prescription medicine, given as a few small injections. It temporarily blocks the signal from nerve to muscle, so the muscle relaxes and the line it kept folding softens. It affects only movement, only in the muscle treated, and wears off on its own. It does nothing for lost volume: that's a different family.
Anti-wrinkle injections, often called by a brand name: what is injected, and what “units” mean
Anti-wrinkle injections are what many people search for by a brand name. The medicine is botulinum toxin type A, made by several manufacturers under their own names, and it is a prescription medicine: UAE rules keep prescription brand names out of advertising, so this page uses the medicine's own name. At the consultation, the doctor tells you which product they plan to use, and why.
Units measure the dose of one product, not a fixed amount of medicine: an international consensus notes that the units of different products are not directly comparable. So a number of units quoted for one product doesn't carry over to another, and there is no set number per area. The dose follows the strength and pattern of your muscles, which are, on average, larger in men, and for the upper face the trend is towards lower doses.
Which areas: forehead lines, frown lines (the “11s”), crow's feet and the rest of the face
Most anti-wrinkle treatment is on the upper face, where results are the most predictable: the frown lines between the brows, the lines across the forehead and the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes. On the forehead, small doses help keep the brows from dropping. Between the brows, the injections are placed at least a centimetre above the bony ridge of the brow, which lowers the risk of a drooping eyelid; around the eyes, they stay outside the bony rim below the eye.
Several of our doctors also treat the full face and the neck, after an assessment and always with small doses placed with care: lines around the mouth, a dimpled chin, the corners of the mouth, “bunny lines” on the sides of the nose, and bands on the neck, where the doses are larger and the risks higher. The questions below say more about the lips, under the eyes and the neck.
Lines that stay when your face is still, and folds from lost volume, usually need a different treatment, such as filler or skin boosters. The doctor looks at your face at rest and moving, and tells you which.
A session, step by step
- We start with your concern and your health: pregnancy, nerve and muscle conditions, allergies, medicines and past treatments. The doctor watches your face move, checks your brows and eyelids, and takes photographs in the same light each time.
- Make-up is removed and the skin cleansed; numbing cream or ice first, if you'd like it.
- A few small doses into each muscle being treated, with a fine needle.
- A review at about two weeks, once the effect has fully developed, for any small adjustment.
What to expect
How it feels
Quick: the injections themselves usually take a few minutes. A fine needle and a brief sting at each point; numbing cream can be used, and ice beforehand can lessen bruising.
Downtime and recovery
Usually little or none. Small bruises are common, and a mild headache for a day or two is not unusual. Leave make-up off and don't touch the area for about six hours.
How many sessions, and how often
One session, repeated when it wears off if you wish. On the face, the effect is fully developed at about two weeks and usually lasts three to four months.
Anti-wrinkle treatment results: what changes, and when
- On the day Small marks where the needle went in and, often, small bruises; a mild headache for a day or two is not unusual. Leave make-up off and don't touch the area for about six hours.
- The first week The effect builds gradually, and movement softens bit by bit as bruises fade. If an eyelid or a brow is going to droop, which is uncommon, it usually shows between two and ten days after treatment and settles on its own, usually within a few weeks.
- About two weeks The effect is fully developed. We review it with you and make any small adjustment, such as evening out a raised brow with a small extra dose.
- Three to four months Movement returns gradually, and the lines with it; smaller doses may wear off sooner. You can repeat the treatment when you wish, avoiding large doses at short intervals.
- If you stop Nothing needs to be done: the effect wears off on its own, and your face moves as it did before.
Anti-wrinkle injections vs filler, skin boosters and polynucleotides: how they compare for lines
Four injectable treatments we offer for lines and wrinkles, side by side from each page's key facts. Anti-wrinkle injections are for lines that come with movement; the others work on volume or on the skin itself. The doctor looks at your face at rest and moving, and suggests one treatment when one is enough.
| Treatment | How it works | Used for | Downtime | Usual course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-wrinkle injections | How it works Botulinum toxin type A, a prescription neuromodulator | Used for Frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet | Downtime Usually little or none | Usual course One session, repeated when it wears off if you wish |
| Dermal fillers | How it works Cross-linked hyaluronic-acid gel, placed by injection | Used for Flat cheeks, a receding chin, a soft jawline, deep folds, thin or uneven lips | Downtime Swelling or bruising for a few days, usually | Usual course Usually one session; lasts 6–18 months |
| Skin boosters | How it works Un-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with nutrients, as shallow micro-injections | Used for Dull, dehydrated or crepey skin and fine lines at rest | Downtime Usually little: small bumps, sometimes bruises | Usual course 2–3 sessions a few weeks apart, then about every 6 months |
| Polynucleotides and PRP | How it works Regenerative injections: purified DNA fragments or your own platelet-rich plasma | Used for Thin or crepey skin, under the eyes, fine lines, rough texture; some hair thinning, after assessment | Downtime Usually little; redness or swelling usually settles within a week | Usual course 2–4 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart, then upkeep |
Who it may not suit
We go through your health and medicines first, because anti-wrinkle treatment may not suit you, or may need to wait, if any of these apply:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding: treatment waits.
- You have a condition of the nerves or muscles, such as myasthenia gravis.
- You are allergic to an ingredient of the medicine.
- You tend to form keloid scars.
- You take aminoglycoside antibiotics or other medicines that can strengthen the effect.
- You take blood thinners, anti-inflammatory painkillers, fish oil or ginkgo: bruising is more likely, and the doctor decides whether to go ahead.
- A brow or eyelid has dropped, or your face moves differently, without any treatment: see a doctor first, urgently if it came on suddenly.
Risks and side effects of anti-wrinkle treatment
Common and short-lived: small bruises, in roughly one in ten to one in four people, slight swelling or tenderness, and a headache that usually passes within a day or two.
Less common: the medicine reaches a nearby muscle. In a review of studies with more than 8,000 people, upper-face treatment led to a drooping eyelid in 2.5% and a lowered brow in 3.1%, all settling on their own, usually within a few weeks. Treatment near the eyes can also leave them dry or irritated.
In the neck, where doses are larger: a small risk of difficulty swallowing or a change in the voice, usually settling over a few weeks.
Rare, but important to know: an allergic reaction, blurred or double vision, a severe headache lasting weeks, or the effect spreading, with general muscle weakness or difficulty swallowing or breathing, days or weeks later. Spreading, or a severe allergic reaction, needs urgent medical care.
Repeated large doses at short intervals have been linked to antibodies that make the medicine work less well.
Aftercare
- Leave make-up off and don't touch the area for about six hours.
- A cold pack helps with any swelling or bruising.
- Exercise and flying: an expert consensus found no evidence for avoiding them.
- Daily sunscreen, and sunglasses outdoors: Dubai's sun ages skin, and squinting deepens crow's feet.
- Get urgent medical help for difficulty swallowing or breathing, or weakness beyond the treated area; message us about anything else that worries you.
How pricing works
We don't publish prices. The cost depends on the areas treated, such as the frown lines, forehead or crow's feet, and on the dose your muscles need, set by the doctor at the consultation. You know the full plan and its cost before you start.
Doctors who do anti-wrinkle treatment
Six of our doctors do anti-wrinkle injections, each after watching how your face moves. They are Dr. Olga Ibrakova's focus, and Dr. Svetlana Tagaeva, the Medical Director, has developed her own lifting technique with them and trains doctors in botulinum toxin injections.
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Dr. Svetlana Tagaeva
Medical Director · Practising since 2008
Neuromodulators: Including her lifting technique
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Dr. Olga Seredina
Trichology, cosmetology · More than 15 years in practice
Neuromodulators: Botulinum toxin injections, including full-face treatment
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Dr. Olga Ibrakova
Cosmetology · In cosmetology since 2006
Neuromodulators: Botulinum toxin injections
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Dr. Daria Banina
Cosmetology · In cosmetology since 2014
Neuromodulators: Upper face, full face and neck
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Dr. Katerina Nikolaevskaya
Cosmetology · In cosmetology since 2001
Neuromodulators: Botulinum toxin injections, including full-face treatment
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Dr. Tatiana Pospelova
Cosmetology · 20 years in practice
Neuromodulators: Botulinum toxin injections
Our take
Anti-wrinkle injections are a tool for movement, used in small doses, with one aim: a face that looks rested and still moves like yours.
We start with the smallest dose that does the job and add at the follow-up if needed: a dose can't be taken back, only waited out. If a line is etched at rest or comes from lost volume, we'll say what might help, and if the honest answer is to wait, we'll say that too.
Questions people ask
How do I choose a clinic and a doctor for anti-wrinkle injections in Dubai?
Start with who injects: a DHA-licensed doctor who watches how your face moves before suggesting a dose. Expect a plan that starts small, a follow-up, plain talk about risks, and a clinic willing to say no. Here, anti-wrinkle injections are Dr. Olga Ibrakova's focus; Dr. Daria Banina treats the upper face, full face and neck.
First time having anti-wrinkle injections: what should I expect, and does it hurt?
At the first visit, the doctor asks about your health, medicines and past treatments, watches your face move, takes photographs and explains the plan, the risks and the cost before anything is done. The injections take a few minutes: a fine needle and a brief sting at each point, and numbing cream or ice can be used. We start with the smallest dose that does the job and review it at about two weeks.
How much do anti-wrinkle injections cost, for the forehead, a full face or a “baby” dose?
We don't publish prices. The cost depends on the areas treated, from a single area such as the forehead to a full upper face, and on the dose your muscles need, smaller or standard, which the doctor sets at the consultation. You know the full plan and its cost before you start.
“Baby” vs standard anti-wrinkle injections on the forehead: worth it, side effects, and how long do results last?
“Baby” is an informal name for smaller doses of the same medicine, placed to soften movement rather than stop it. On the forehead, small doses help keep the brows from dropping, and expert consensus has moved towards lower doses for the upper face. The trade-off is a lighter effect that may wear off sooner than the usual three to four months, so it suits fine lines better than strong muscles. The side effects are the same kind as with any dose: small bruises and a passing headache are common.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections take to work, and what are the downtime and aftercare?
The effect builds gradually and is fully developed at about two weeks. Downtime is usually little or none. Aftercare is simple: leave make-up off and don't touch the area for about six hours. An expert consensus found no reason to avoid exercise or flying.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections last, and how many sessions per year?
For lines, usually three to four months: in an analysis of frown-line treatment, more than half of those who responded still had a benefit at four months. You can repeat it when movement returns, so up to three or four sessions a year for lines, avoiding large doses at short intervals.
What happens when anti-wrinkle injections wear off, or if I stop?
The effect wears off on its own, usually over three to four months: movement returns gradually, and so do the lines that came with it. There is no need to keep going. If you do repeat it, we avoid large doses at short intervals, which have been linked to antibodies that make the medicine work less well.
What are the benefits, risks and side effects of anti-wrinkle injections on the face?
For most people, softer movement lines and a more rested look for three to four months. Small bruises and a passing headache are common. Less often the medicine reaches a nearby muscle: in a review of studies with more than 8,000 people, an eyelid drooped in 2.5% and a brow in 3.1%, all settling on their own.
Which areas can anti-wrinkle injections treat: frown lines, crow's feet and wrinkles under the eyes, the upper lip (a “lip flip”), the nose, the neck?
Mostly the upper face: frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. As part of full-face treatment, after an assessment, small doses can also soften lines around the mouth: a small dose in the muscle of the upper lip is what people call a “lip flip”, and it adds no volume, which is a question for filler. On the nose, they soften “bunny lines”. Under the eyes, only low doses are used, if any, because the lower eyelid can swell. Also bands and lines on the neck, where larger doses call for care. Lines that stay at rest, or folds from lost volume, usually need a different treatment.
Anti-wrinkle injections vs fillers: what's the difference, and can they be combined?
Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscle behind a line that comes with movement; they add no volume and wear off over three to four months. Hyaluronic-acid filler adds volume and structure, for a deep fold or a flattened cheek, and can be dissolved. Many faces need one, some need both, and the doctor plans the order and the gap between them.
When should I start anti-wrinkle injections, and are “preventive” injections worth it?
There is no right age. We treat lines that bother you rather than a birthday: for fine movement lines, smaller doses that soften movement rather than stop it often suit, and if there is nothing yet to treat, the doctor will say so.
Do men have anti-wrinkle injections for the forehead or frown lines, and is the dose different?
Yes, on the same areas as for women. Men's facial muscles are, on average, larger, so the dose follows the strength and pattern of each person's muscles rather than a set formula. The aim is the same for everyone: a face that looks rested and still moves like yours.
Can I have anti-wrinkle injections during pregnancy or when breastfeeding?
No: treatment waits. Botulinum toxin is not given in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, because its safety in pregnancy has not been adequately studied. In pregnancies exposed before they were known, recorded in a maker's safety database, birth defects were no more common than in the general population, but that does not prove it harmless. If you find you are pregnant after a treatment, tell your doctor.
Good vs bad anti-wrinkle results: what's the difference?
Good results look rested: lines softened, brows in place, and a face that still moves. Poor results usually come from too much medicine, or medicine in the wrong place: a flat, heavy forehead, dropped brows or a sharply raised outer brow. Too much can only be waited out; a raised brow can usually be evened out with a small extra dose.
Anti-wrinkle injections gone wrong: which signs need a doctor?
Most side effects settle on their own: small bruises, slight swelling and a headache that usually passes within a day or two. Message us if a brow or an eyelid droops, your eyes feel dry or irritated, or your vision blurs: a drooping lid usually settles within a few weeks, and the doctor sees you and plans what follows. Get urgent medical help for difficulty swallowing or breathing, or weakness beyond the treated area.
Anti-wrinkle injection reviews: what does the research show?
We don't publish testimonials, so here is what the research shows. In an analysis of frown-line treatment, more than half of those who responded still had a benefit at four months. In a review of studies with more than 8,000 people, upper-face treatment led to a drooping eyelid in 2.5% and a lowered brow in 3.1%, all settling on their own. Small bruises, in roughly one in ten to one in four people, and a passing headache are the common side effects.
How many units of anti-wrinkle injections will I need, and is it priced per unit?
There is no set number. Units measure the dose of one product, and an expert consensus notes that the units of different products are not directly comparable. The dose follows the strength and pattern of your muscles, and for the upper face the trend is towards lower doses: we start with the smallest dose that does the job and add at the review if needed. The cost depends on the areas treated and the dose your muscles need, which the doctor sets at the consultation, and you know it before you start; we don't publish prices.
Anti-wrinkle injections before and after: what changes, and when?
We don't show photographs of results on our site, so here, in words, is what usually changes. Lines that come with movement soften, so the forehead, the area between the brows and the corners of the eyes can look smoother and more rested while your face still moves. The effect builds gradually, is fully developed at about two weeks, when we review it, and usually wears off over three to four months. Lines etched at rest improve less. Small bruises and a passing headache are common; less often a brow or an eyelid droops for a few weeks.
Where can I get anti-wrinkle injections in Jumeirah, Dubai: which clinic, and who does them?
At CREAMÉ, a doctor-led clinic in a villa at 350 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1. Anti-wrinkle injections are Dr. Olga Ibrakova's focus, and Dr. Svetlana Tagaeva, the Medical Director, Dr. Olga Seredina, Dr. Daria Banina and Dr. Katerina Nikolaevskaya do them too. The doctor watches how your face moves before suggesting a dose, starts with the smallest dose that does the job, and reviews the result at about two weeks.
Sources
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- Sundaram H, Signorini M, Liew S, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: botulinum toxin type A—evidence-based review, emerging concepts, and consensus recommendations for aesthetic use, including updates on complications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(3):518e–529e.
- Sundaram H, Huang PH, Hsu NJ, et al. Aesthetic applications of botulinum toxin A in Asians: an international, multidisciplinary, pan-Asian consensus. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12):e872.
- Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K. The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853–861.
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Updated 30 October 2026