Dr Nikola Milojevic
Aesthetic medicine

How does Botox actually smooth wrinkles?

Written by: Dr Nikola Milojevic

Published: 05/03/2019 | Updated: 11/12/2023

Edited by: Bronwen Griffiths

As we age, we start to develop fine lines and wrinkles across our whole body, but forehead lines are arguably the most noticeable and can be a tell-tale sign of our real age. However, Botox™ injections present a remedy for these signs of ageing. This article explains how Botox™ can be used as an anti-ageing treatment.

Happy woman who has had Botox™ injections

Why do we develop forehead lines?

Forehead lines are wrinkles that develop across the forehead, above the eyebrows with age and are often associated with getting older, but why do we wrinkle as we age?

For example, when women go through menopause, changes in hormones mean that les s skin-enhancing oestrogen is released, which in turn reduces the amount of elastin and collagen production in the skin. As a result, skin starts to lose its firmness, producing more pronounced wrinkles. This is what we call hormonal ageing and the same occurs with genetic ageing.

Other causes of wrinkles and forehead lines include:

Muscle movement (e.g. frequent brow furrowing)
Exposure to the sun and harmful UV rays

Forehead lines can be effectively treated with Botox™ injections, which relaxes the wrinkles, reducing their appearance.

How do the injections work?

Botox™ has proved to be the most popular and effective aesthetic treatment in the world and is one of the biggest medical advances in cosmetic medicine in the last 20 years. Botox™ injections are capable of erasing age lines and wrinkles, facial contouring, and even improving eye shape, without the need for invasive surgery. Whilst Botox™ is extremely popular, it must be performed by an expert with extensive experience.

When botulinum toxin injections are given, first of all, the muscles to be targeted must be identified by asking the patient to make certain facial expressions. Next, the wrinkle-causing muscles are injected with Botox™ using a very fine needle. With time, the muscle starts to relax as the botulinum toxin blocks the nerve impulses travelling through the targeted muscles. As a result, the skin relaxes and the untreated surrounding muscles pull on the treated area, smoothening the skin and wrinkles.

What can Botox™ be used for?

Smoothing lines and wrinkles:

Crow’s feet (smile lines)
Frown lines
Forehead lines
Bunny lines (nose)
Marionette lines (mouth to chin lines)
Mouth lines (smokers lines)

Shaping and contouring:

Eyebrow lift or upper eye bag lift
Jawline shaping (jowls)
Turning up corners of the mouth
Nasal flaring and raising the nasal tip
Dimpling of the chin
Ageing neck (necklace lines)
Treating a gummy smile

If you are interested in Botox™ injections, make an appointment with an expert to discuss your options.

By Dr Nikola Milojevic

Aesthetic medicine in London

Dr Nikola Milojevic is one of Europe's most accomplished anti-age, facial rejuvenation experts, practising both at his exclusive Milo Clinic in London and in his native Croatia. He is internationally renowned for his high calibre non-surgical treatments like dermal filling, Botox and his specialty of removing under-eye bags. Over the last 10 years, his pioneering techniques have helped tens of thousands of patients to look years younger and feel fabulous. ...

By Dr Nikola Milojevic
Aesthetic medicine

Dr Nikola Milojevic is one of Europe's most accomplished anti-age, facial rejuvenation experts, practising both at his exclusive Milo Clinic in London and in his native Croatia. He is internationally renowned for his high calibre non-surgical treatments like dermal filling, Botox and his specialty of removing under-eye bags. Over the last 10 years, his pioneering techniques have helped tens of thousands of patients to look years younger and feel fabulous.

Often named as the UK's top expert in skin rejuvenation, he has appeared in publications such as Tatler, Marie Claire and the Sunday Times, as well as TV appearances on Channel 5, Sky News and MTV.