Wrinkle Softening Treatments

Wrinkle softening treatments use small, carefully placed injections of a prescription-only medicine to temporarily reduce activity in selected facial muscles. Many lines develop from years of repeated expression: every time you frown, concentrate, squint, or raise your eyebrows, the muscles beneath the skin contract. Over time, combined with changes in collagen and elasticity, those lines can remain visible even at rest. Reducing the strength of selected muscle contractions means the skin above is folded less strongly, so the appearance of expression lines can soften.

Will it make me look frozen?

This is the question we hear most, and the answer is no, because that is not the result we are trying to create. A frozen look comes from treating muscles too aggressively or without considering how the rest of the face moves. Our aim is to reduce excessive movement, not remove expression. You should still smile, laugh and raise your eyebrows, and look like yourself. Well-planned treatment is subtle rather than obvious.

What can wrinkle softening treatments help?

Beyond forehead lines, treatment may be used in suitable patients for a range of concerns. Your consultation determines what suits your anatomy.

Forehead lines

Horizontal lines form as the forehead muscle repeatedly lifts the eyebrows. Careful treatment can soften them, but because the forehead helps hold the brows, Dr Cat balances a smoother forehead against preserving natural brow position rather than freezing it.

Frown lines (“11 lines”)

The vertical lines between the eyebrows can make you look tired, worried or stern even when you are not. Relaxing the responsible muscles can soften them without changing your features.

Crow’s feet

The fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes when you smile or squint. These are completely normal, and the aim is to soften excessive lines while keeping your smile natural and warm.

Brow lift

By carefully balancing the muscles that raise and lower the brows, a subtle, non-surgical lift can sometimes open up the eye area. This is a subtle effect, not a surgical brow lift, and results depend on your anatomy.

Bunny lines

The fine lines at the sides or bridge of the nose when you scrunch it. Small amounts of treatment can soften them, and because the area is small, precise placement matters.

Gummy smile

If a lot of gum shows above the upper teeth when you smile, carefully placed treatment can reduce how strongly the upper lip lifts. As we also do dentistry, we can look at your smile as a whole rather than the lip in isolation.

Lip flip

Small amounts placed around the upper lip can let it turn slightly outwards, giving the appearance of a little more lip without adding volume. If you want genuine volume, dermal filler is a better option.

Downturned mouth

When the muscles pull the corners of the mouth down, you can look sad or stern when you are not. In suitable patients, treatment can soften that downward pull. Dr Cat will check whether muscle activity is genuinely the cause, as volume loss or skin laxity may need a different approach.

Dimpled or pebbled chin

Treatment can reduce the excessive muscle activity that gives the chin a dimpled look, helping it appear smoother. Where chin shape is also a concern, filler may be discussed as well.

Jaw slimming

Strong masseter muscles at the sides of the jaw can create a wider, more square lower face. Reducing their activity can gradually soften and slim the jawline. The change develops over time, as the muscle needs time to shrink.

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching

Reducing overactive masseter muscles may relieve muscle-related jaw tension for some patients who clench or grind. Grinding has several causes, though, and because we are also a dental clinic, we can assess your teeth, bite and jaw properly. Sometimes a dental appliance suits better, so we recommend a Complete Dental Health Examination with Dr Gurprit alongside considering this treatment.

Nefertiti neck lift

Carefully placed treatment can reduce selected muscle activity in the lower face and neck, softening visible neck bands and downward pull along the jawline in suitable patients. It does not remove loose skin, so significant laxity may be better addressed another way.

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Injected into the underarms, the same medicine can temporarily reduce the signals that activate sweat glands, which may help people whose excessive sweating affects clothing, confidence or daily life. Dr Cat assesses suitability individually.

How wrinkle softening compares

Wrinkle softening vs dermal fillers

They do different jobs and are often confused. Wrinkle softening reduces targeted muscle activity, so it suits expression lines. Dermal fillers restore volume or support facial contours. A moving forehead line may respond to wrinkle softening, while hollow cheeks may need filler. Some concerns involve both.

Wrinkle softening vs skin boosters

Skin boosters do not reduce muscle movement; they improve hydration, texture and skin quality. If your lines are mainly caused by expression, wrinkle softening may help most. If your concern is crepey or dehydrated skin, Profhilo, polynucleotides, Radiesse, or our fast-acting skin booster may suit you better. Sometimes treating both the movement and the skin gives the best result.