Is Botox® / Anti Wrinkle Injections Painful?

Understandably one of the commonest concerns or questions people have before having their first Botox® treatment is – Does Botox hurt? (Or ‘Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections hurt?’)

Dr Raman and the team at Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics in Clapham can safely reassure you that Botox®/Anti Wrinkle Treatment is not a painful treatment. 

Wrinkle relaxing injection treatments are the most popular non-surgical aesthetic treatment performed in the UK. Dr Raman has been performing wrinkle-relaxing injections for over 18 years and has treated thousands of patients. During this time he has honed his technique to minimise pain even further. 

At Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics in Clapham, Dr Raman uses a 30 gauge needle when performing your treatment. This is one of the smallest needles available on the market. It is most commonly used by diabetic patients including children to inject their insulin. Given that the needle is so small, it is common for patients to feel nothing more than a slight pinch. We also change the needle for every area treated, this prevents blunting of the needle, which could slightly increase pain. 

What to expect during the treatment?

As mentioned as the procedure is done, you may feel a slight pinch of the skin. Often patients actually don’t feel anything at all. In my experience, the expectation of pain far outweighs the reality and once the first injection is done the patient is able to relax as their concerns disappear. In my 18 years of injecting, I have never had a patient report that the pain would stop them from having treatment again. 

With many years of experience, Dr Raman has been able to hone his technique to reduce pain. At our clinic in Clapham and Balham, we are able to offer a topical anaesthetic to reduce pain even further if requested or use ice to cool and numb the skin prior to treatment, making the procedure virtually painless. 

What to expect after the treatment?

In the hands of an experienced injector, the procedure will only take minutes. Patients will often attend during their lunch break and will be back to work straight after the treatment. 

When the treatment is performed properly you should not experience any post-treatment pain. 

Immediately after the treatment, there may be redness at the site of the injection point. There may also be some slight swelling – where the Botox® has been injected and absorbed. These symptoms generally resolve fairly quickly and may disappear by the time you are home or back at work. 

In a small number of cases, there is a risk of bruising. Again the risk is low and bruises tend to be small. At Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics Dr Raman gives every patient plenty of time and by performing the treatment in a relaxed, calm environment brushing can be minimised. Post-treatment bruising can be reduced with the use of arnica cream – which is available over the counter in most pharmacies. 

Can Botox® help pain?

Botox® was first discovered in the 1980s, it received FDA approval for use aesthetically for lines and wrinkles in the early 90s. However, it now has many uses beyond the treatment of lines and wrinkles. 

It has received approval for use in the NHS to treat headaches, migraines and TMJ (jaw) pain. 

Botox® works by relaxing muscles and preventing the tightening and contraction of muscles. Therefore the use of Botox® in the face or jaw muscles can help reduce tension headaches, migraines or jaw pain. 

Dr Raman regularly treats patients suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). This can be quite a debilitating condition affecting the jaw, teeth and sleep. The use of Botox® to relax the muscles in the jaw results in better sleep, and reduced teeth clenching and grinding. 

The use of Botox® to treat migraines, headaches and TMJ can be life-changing. 

Any Further Questions?

In Summary, Botox® is a safe, effective, relatively painless treatment that will reduce and prevent the signs of ageing. 

At Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics in Clapham and Balham, we are a doctor-led clinic with an experience and understanding of the treatment that will help make the process as painless and simple as possible. 

If you would like to ask any further questions feel free to book a no-obligation consultation with Dr Raman our in-house Facial Aesthetic Specialist. Dr Raman will be happy to answer any question you have prior to treatment.