Two questions come up at almost every consultation for anti-wrinkle injections: how soon will I see a difference, and will I end up looking frozen? They are connected. The timeline tells you when it is fair to judge the result, and whether you look natural depends mostly on dose and placement. This guide walks through what usually happens after anti-wrinkle injections at RAAC, based on our treatment page and the general information in Canadian product monographs for botulinum toxin type A. Your own plan is confirmed at consultation.
We do not name any product brand here. In Canada these injections are prescription medicines, and your physician will tell you at the consultation which product is used for your treatment.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections take to work?
Most people notice that frowning or raising the brows takes less effort within 3 to 5 days, and the effect usually peaks at around 2 weeks. That is the general timeline on our treatment page; stronger muscles or a more conservative dose can take a day or two longer. Wait the full two weeks before you judge the result.
Why not the same day? The active ingredient is botulinum toxin type A, a neuromodulator. It works at the nerve ending, temporarily reducing the release of acetylcholine so the muscle contracts less forcefully and the skin above it can smooth out. That process takes a few days to build, so on the day of treatment the mirror mostly shows the face you came in with, plus a few small injection marks.
Different areas follow roughly the same timeline but feel different:
- Forehead and frown lines (the "11s"): usually the first place people notice a change, as the brows feel harder to lift or pull together.
- Crow's feet: the lines at the corners of the eyes soften when you smile but do not disappear, which is what keeps a smile looking like a smile.
- The jaw (masseter): the muscle starts to relax within days, but a slimmer jawline depends on the muscle gradually getting smaller, which takes weeks. That is a different timeline from wrinkle treatment.
Will anti-wrinkle injections make me look frozen?
Usually not, when the dose and placement suit your face. A frozen forehead, heavy brows or an odd smile usually comes from too much product, injection points that drift from the target muscle, or a plan that ignored natural asymmetry. Your physician watches which muscles you use when you make expressions, then adjusts the dose area by area so lines soften while expression stays.
The "frozen" look people worry about usually takes one of these forms:
- A completely still, flat forehead. This tends to follow a heavy forehead dose. Many people only need forehead movement reduced, not stopped.
- Heavy brows or tired-looking eyelids. The frontalis muscle is what lifts your brows. Treating it too low or too strongly can let the brows settle down.
- Brow tails that arch too high. This can happen when the centre of the forehead is treated without balancing the sides, and a small top-up at review often evens it out.
- A smile that moves only the mouth. This is usually a sign the crow's feet dose was too high.
These effects are temporary and fade as the medicine wears off. Still, starting conservatively is a far more comfortable route than waiting for an overdone result to settle.
Why do some people end up looking "done"?
The most common reason is trying to erase every line in one visit, which pushes both dose and coverage up. Another is treating both sides with identical amounts when the face itself is not symmetrical. A third is treating the forehead in someone whose brows already sit low or whose upper lids are a little hooded; once the forehead muscle relaxes, it can no longer quietly hold the brows up.
That is why a good consultation looks at:
- Your habits of expression, such as raising your brows when you talk.
- Brow position, upper-lid laxity and left-right symmetry.
- Your history: how many times you have been treated, roughly when, and how it felt last time.
- Your goal. "Nobody can tell" and "as few lines as possible" lead to different dosing.
At RAAC the dose is set by muscle strength and your goal rather than sold as fixed unit packages, and a review at around two weeks allows a small top-up if needed. Starting slightly light and adding a little at review is easier to control than overshooting on day one.
What side effects can anti-wrinkle injections cause?
Common effects are small red marks and bumps at the injection points (our treatment page notes they usually settle within 15 to 20 minutes), mild swelling and occasional bruising. Most people resume normal activities the same day. Less common are headache, a temporary drooping brow or eyelid, and uneven expression. These usually resolve, but contact the clinic about anything unusual.
Product monographs also describe a rare but important risk: the effect spreading beyond the injection site, causing difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, or generalized weakness. If that happens, seek medical care immediately.
| When | What it usually looks like |
|---|---|
| Day of treatment | Small red marks and bumps that settle quickly; possible bruising |
| Days 3 to 5 | Treated muscles start to feel weaker |
| Around week 2 | Peak effect; a good time to review and fine-tune |
| Months 3 to 4 | Effect in wrinkle areas fades gradually and movement returns |
How long do results last, and how often should I be treated?
Our treatment page notes that wrinkle areas typically last 3 to 4 months and the masseter can last 4 to 6 months. Muscle strength, dose, metabolism and lifestyle all play a part, so individual results vary. The effect fades gradually rather than switching off, and stopping treatment does not make lines deeper than they were before.
How often you come back is your choice. Some people return as soon as movement creeps back; others wait longer. There is no need to keep topping up to avoid a gap, and shorter intervals with higher doses are not automatically better. Plan the rhythm with your physician.
What should I do after treatment?
- Stay upright for 4 hours. Do not lie flat, and do not press or rub the treated areas.
- For 24 hours, skip strenuous exercise, saunas and hot yoga.
- For 7 days, avoid facials, lasers and microcurrent over the treated zones.
- Wash your face gently as usual. Makeup can usually go back on shortly afterwards; follow the aftercare notes you are given.
- Judge the result at two weeks, not on day three.
Who should not have anti-wrinkle injections?
They are not suitable, or need a physician's assessment first, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an infection or skin irritation at the injection site, with a known allergy to botulinum toxin or its ingredients, with a neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis, or when the hope is for a surgical-level lift.
If you have a wedding, photos or another big event coming up, our treatment page suggests booking at least two weeks ahead to leave room for the effect to develop and for any adjustment. Mention any recent vaccines or antibiotics at your consultation too.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
- Arrive without makeup so your physician can watch your muscles move.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements, including aspirin or fish oil, which can make bruising more likely. Your physician decides whether anything should change; do not stop a medication on your own.
- Share your history: past treatments, roughly when, and whether you ever had a heavy brow or uneven result.
- Decide which area matters most to you and how natural you want it to look, and say so.
- Write down your questions: which areas suit me, how is the dose decided, and do I need a two-week review?
How does RAAC approach anti-wrinkle injections?
At RAAC, a medical team led by Dr. Charles Jiang, a licensed physician in British Columbia, assesses your expressions and muscle strength first, then marks injection points and sets the dose for each area. Products come through Canadian suppliers, and you can ask at your consultation which one is used for your plan. Pricing depends on the areas treated and is explained after consultation. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
The clinic is on No. 3 Road in Richmond, BC, a short walk from Lansdowne Station on the Canada Line.
Frequently asked questions
It is day three and I feel nothing. Did it work? Probably too early to say. Most people notice a change in 3 to 5 days and peak effect at around two weeks. Wait two weeks, then review with your physician if needed.
Should my first treatment be a high or low dose? Conservative is usually wiser. A first treatment shows how you respond, and a small top-up at review is easier to control than undoing an overdone look.
Will I become dependent, or get more wrinkles if I stop? No. Stopping does not make lines deeper than they were before treatment. As the effect wears off, the muscles return to their usual movement and the lines return to their previous state.
Further reading
- The RAAC guide to neuromodulators
- Preventative neuromodulator treatment: when to start
- Masseter injections and jawline slimming
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional before undergoing any treatment.
