Botox Surrey

How long does Botox take to work and how long does it last?

Most patients begin to see Botox results within 24 to 48 hours of treatment, with the full effect visible at around two weeks. Results typically last three to five months, after which the treated muscles gradually return to baseline activity.

The exact timeline depends on several factors: the dose used, the muscle group treated, your individual metabolism, and whether this is your first treatment or a maintenance session.

What to expect day-by-day

• Days 1-2: the first signs of softening. You may notice that expressions feel slightly less mobile in the treated areas.
• Days 3-7: most of the effect develops. Lines look smoother at rest and during expression.
• Days 10-14: full result settled. This is when we book your two-week review.
• Weeks 2-12: peak effect maintained.
• Months 3-5: gradual return of muscle activity. Most patients book their next Surrey appointment around this point.

If you have an event coming up, we recommend treatment two to three weeks beforehand. That allows enough time for the effect to settle and for any minor bruising to fade.

Botox vs Dermal Fillers: Understanding the Difference

Botox and dermal fillers address different aspects of facial ageing and are often used together for optimal results. Botox treatments relax muscles to reduce wrinkles caused by facial movement. Dermal fillers, typically made from hyaluronic acid, restore volume, structure, and contour in areas affected by volume loss.

Dermal fillers are commonly used to enhance and restore areas such as the jawline, cheeks, lips, tear troughs, and nose, helping to improve contour, structure and facial balance. Your practitioner will advise whether Botox, fillers, or a combination approach is most appropriate based on facial proportions and ageing patterns.

When anti-wrinkle injections are not suitable

Anti-wrinkle injections are not suitable for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, have certain neuromuscular conditions, or take specific medications. As a CQC-registered, doctor-led clinic in Surrey, HAVA screens every patient at consultation to confirm Botox is safe for them.

We do not treat patients in the following circumstances:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: there is insufficient safety data, so treatment is deferred until after.
• Under 18 years of age: anti-wrinkle injections are not licensed for cosmetic use in under-18s in the UK, and HAVA does not treat minors.
• Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and motor neurone disease, where botulinum toxin can affect underlying muscle function.
• Known allergy to botulinum toxin or any ingredient in the specific product used.
• Active skin infection at the proposed injection site. Treatment is deferred until fully resolved.
• Certain medications including aminoglycoside antibiotics and some muscle relaxants. We will review your full medication list at consultation.
• If any of these apply, your consultation may still be useful. We can talk through alternatives that may be suitable for your concerns, such as polynucleotides or skin boosters.

What happens during your Botox appointment at HAVA

A Botox appointment at HAVA Aesthetics in Surrey takes around 20 to 30 minutes from arrival to departure. Every consultation, treatment and review is performed by Dr Hadeel Nimaa, a GMC-registered doctor and member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM). There is no delegated injector under remote supervision.

Step 1: Consultation (first visit only)
If this is your first time with us, we always book a separate consultation before treatment. We talk through what you are considering, what is realistic for your facial anatomy, and (often) what we would suggest you do not do. There is no pressure to commit on the day. A 24-hour cooling-off period applies for first-time patients on regulated treatments, as required of all CQC-registered clinics in the UK.

Step 2: Treatment day
On treatment day, expect to be in the clinic for around 20 to 30 minutes. After a brief review of any changes since consultation, Dr Nimaa cleanses the treatment area and marks the injection points. The injections themselves take five to ten minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch.

Step 3: Aftercare and review
You can return to most normal activities immediately. We ask you to avoid lying flat, intense exercise, alcohol, and pressure on the treated area for the rest of the day. We will book a complimentary two-week review to assess the result and, if needed, refine the treatment.