Anti Wrinkle Injections
Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor
Broadmeadow, NSW
Dr Bart Scanlon | AHPRA-registered doctor | 70,000+ cosmetic injectable treatments over 10 years
What Are Anti Wrinkle Injections?
Anti wrinkle injections are a prescription treatment used to relax selected facial muscles for a limited time. At Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor in Broadmeadow, Newcastle, Dr Bart Scanlon provides doctor led anti wrinkle consultations focused on natural looking results, careful assessment, and clear patient education.
Treatments work best on dynamic lines (lines that show with movement). Deep static lines (lines you can see when the face is at rest) can improve, but sometimes need a combined plan (skin treatments or filler) depending on depth and skin quality.
What Can Anti Wrinkle Injections Help With?
Patients commonly choose anti wrinkle treatment in Newcastle to help with:
- Softening frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet
- Reducing a tired, angry or stressed appearance caused by facial muscle movement
- Preventing expression lines from becoming more deeply etched over time
- Creating a subtle refreshed look without changing facial shape
- Reducing jaw clenching, teeth grinding or masseter muscle tension where clinically appropriate
Treatment Areas: What Each Area is, and What It Treats
Below are the most common areas. Your plan is tailored to your facial anatomy, muscle strength, brow position, and how you move when you talk and smile.
Frown lines (between the eyebrows)
What it is: The vertical “11” lines and tightness between the brows caused by frowning/squinting.
What it treats: Softens harsh frown lines and can reduce the “scowl” look; many patients also notice less tension in that area when concentrating.
Forehead lines (horizontal lines)
What it is: Lines across the forehead from lifting the brows.
What it treats: Smooths forehead creasing while keeping your expression natural; treatment must be balanced carefully so the brows don’t feel heavy.
Crow’s feet (outer eye lines)
What it is: Lines at the outer corners of the eyes that appear when smiling or squinting.
What it treats: Softens crinkling around the eyes and can give a fresher look; in some patients it also creates a mild “opening” effect around the eyes.
Bunny lines (nose scrunch lines)
What it is: Fine diagonal lines on the sides of the nose that show when you scrunch your nose or laugh.
What it treats: Smooths the nose scrunch lines and can help when bunny lines become more noticeable after treating the frown area (because other muscles compensate).
Eyebrow lift (subtle “chemical” brow lift)
What it is: A technique where small amounts are placed to reduce downward pull and allow the outer brow to sit slightly higher.
What it treats: A subtle lift and more “open” eye area; it’s not a surgical lift, but can make the eyes look brighter.
Lip flip (upper lip relax)
What it is: Tiny doses placed around the upper lip so the lip rolls slightly outward when you smile.
What it treats: Gives a subtle increase in visible upper lip height (without adding volume); it can also soften a “gummy” look in some people, depending on anatomy.
Masseters (jaw clenching / facial slimming)
What it is: The masseter muscles at the angles of the jaw, often enlarged from grinding or clenching.
What it treats: Reduces jaw tension and grinding force over time; can slim a wider lower face gradually as the muscle relaxes and reduces in bulk.
How Much Does Anti Wrinkle Treatment in Newcastle Cost?
Anti wrinkle treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Every treatment plan is based on facial anatomy, muscle activity, and the outcome you are hoping to achieve. The fees below provide a general guide, with final recommendations confirmed during your consultation with Dr Bart Scanlon.
Indicative treatment pricing
Forehead from $200
Frown lines from $250
Crow’s feet from $250
Forehead and frown lines from $400
Crow’s feet and frown lines from $450
Forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet, and eyebrow lift from $550
Masseters from $550
Lip flip from $100
DAO treatment from $100
Gummy smile from $100
Eyebrow lift from $100
Important information
All treatments are subject to consultation, clinical assessment, and doctor advice. Recommended areas, dosing, and total cost are individualised to ensure a safe and appropriate treatment plan.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
Most facial areas last about 3–4 months, although some people get a little longer or shorter depending on metabolism, muscle strength and dosing strategy. Masseter treatments often last 4–6 months, and lip flip tends to wear off sooner (often 6–10 weeks) because the lip muscle is active and the dose is small.
With regular, well-timed treatments, many patients find they can maintain results with fewer units or slightly longer intervals over time.
When Will You See Results?
You usually won’t see a change immediately. Most people notice early softening at 3–5 days, and the full result settles in by 10–14 days.
If there’s a small imbalance or you want a little more softness in one spot, that’s usually assessed at a 2-week review, because that’s when the treatment has fully declared itself.
What Should You Do Before Your Appointment?
To reduce bruising risk, avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand and consider avoiding non-essential blood-thinning supplements (like fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo) for about a week if medically safe for you. If you’re on prescription blood thinners, do not stop them—just tell us, and we’ll plan accordingly.
Arrive with a clean face if possible (no heavy makeup), and be ready to show us how you move—frown, raise brows, smile, scrunch nose—so treatment is matched to your natural expression.
What Happens During the Treatment?
The skin is cleaned, and the injections are placed with a very fine needle. Most treatments take 5–15 minutes, and discomfort is usually mild—often described as quick pinpricks or a brief stinging sensation.
We use precise dosing and placement to aim for a natural result, and we’ll talk you through what each injection is doing as we go.
What Are the Bumps and Redness, and How Long Do They Last?
It’s normal to see small raised bumps at injection points straight after treatment—these are usually just tiny “blebs” of fluid under the skin. They typically settle within 15–30 minutes, occasionally up to an hour.
Mild redness can last a few hours, and if you’re prone to sensitive skin it may look slightly pink for the rest of the day.
What Is the Aftercare and Why Does It Matter?
For the first 4 hours, stay upright and avoid rubbing or pressing on the treated areas—this helps reduce the risk of product shifting into an unwanted muscle. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours, because heavy sweating and increased blood flow can worsen swelling or bruising.
Avoid facials, strong massage, saunas, and very hot yoga for 24–48 hours. Normal washing and gentle skincare is fine the same day.
Patients receive detailed instructions as part of our aftercare and follow-up commitment.
What Are the Normal and Expected Side Effects?
Redness
Redness is usually mild and settles within a few hours, sometimes by the next morning. It’s generally more noticeable in people with reactive skin or rosacea.
Swelling
A small amount of swelling around injection sites can last a few hours to 24 hours. Swelling is more likely around the eyes and lips because the skin is thinner and more vascular.
Bruising
Bruising happens when a tiny surface blood vessel is nicked. Most bruises are small and fade within 3–7 days, but occasionally can take up to 10–14 days depending on your skin, medications, and whether the bruise is deeper.
Tenderness / “tight” feeling
A slightly tender or tight sensation can occur for 1–3 days. Forehead treatments in particular can feel “different” at first as you get used to reduced movement.
Headache
Some people experience a mild headache after frown/forehead treatment. It’s usually short-lived, settling within 24–48 hours, and can be managed with simple analgesia if suitable for you.
What Are the Less Common Effects and How Long Do They Last?
Temporary eyelid droop (ptosis)
This can happen if the medicine affects a muscle that helps lift the upper eyelid. It is uncommon, but when it occurs it usually starts within 3–10 days and can last 2–6 weeks (occasionally longer) as the medicine gradually wears off. There are prescription eye drops that can help lift the lid temporarily while it recovers, and we’ll guide you through this if it occurs.
Brow heaviness
If the forehead is treated strongly or the forehead muscle is doing a lot of work lifting your brows (especially if you already have a heavier brow), you may feel the brows sit lower or feel “heavier”. This is usually temporary and improves over 2–6 weeks, and careful dosing and balancing with frown treatment reduces the risk.
Asymmetry
Faces are naturally asymmetrical, and sometimes the muscles on one side are stronger or activate differently. If one side holds more movement at two weeks, a small adjustment may be discussed at review (where clinically appropriate).
Dry eye or watery eye feeling
When treating crow’s feet, some patients notice mild changes in blinking strength or eye comfort. This is usually mild and temporary, settling over days to a couple of weeks, and is more relevant if you already have dry eye issues.
Lip flip functional changes
Because the upper lip muscle is involved in speech and eating, a lip flip can temporarily make it harder to whistle, pronounce certain sounds, use a straw, or keep toothpaste from dribbling when rinsing. These effects are dose-dependent and usually settle over 1–4 weeks, often sooner, as you adapt and the effect softens.
Chewing fatigue (masseter treatment)
Masseter treatment can make the jaw feel tired when chewing tough foods, especially in the first few weeks. This usually settles as you adjust, and it’s often mild if dosing is conservative; effects may be noticeable for 2–6 weeks.
What Are the Rare but Important Risks and Complications?
Infection
Infection is rare because the injections are tiny and done with sterile technique. If it occurs, it may present as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or a pimple-like spot that worsens after the first 48 hours. This requires prompt medical review and may need antibiotics.
Allergy
True allergy is uncommon. It may show as widespread itching, hives, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty shortly after treatment. Any breathing difficulty or swelling of the tongue/throat is an emergency—call emergency services immediately.
Significant weakness in an unintended area
If the medicine diffuses into a nearby muscle, you can get unwanted weakness (for example, a droopy brow, lid heaviness, or changes in smile). This is typically temporary and improves as the medicine wears off over weeks to a few months, depending on the area.
Visual symptoms or severe pain (seek urgent medical care)
Severe eye pain, vision changes, or neurological symptoms after any injectable procedure are not expected and require urgent medical attention. While extremely unlikely with standard anti wrinkle injections, we still treat any concerning symptoms seriously and advise urgent assessment.
You can read more about our patient safety and risk management procedures and how complications are managed.
Who Is a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
You’re often a good candidate if you:
Have expression lines that bother you (frown, forehead, crow’s feet, etc.)
Want a subtle refresh rather than a dramatic change
Understand that results are temporary and require maintenance
Want a medical, planned approach with appropriate dosing and review
Who Should Not Have Treatment?
You should not have anti wrinkle injections if you are:
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Having an active skin infection in the area
Have a known allergy to the product or its components
Have certain neuromuscular disorders (these require specialist discussion)
Unwell with a significant acute illness (we may postpone until you’re well)
Which Situations Require Extra Caution or Medical Discussion?
These situations don’t always rule you out, but they change how we plan:
History of eyelid droop or significant hooding (dose and placement matter a lot)
Strong asymmetry or previous facial nerve issues
Bleeding tendency or anticoagulant medication (bruising risk higher)
Prior facial surgery or scarring in the area
Very high expectations or wanting an unrealistic “frozen” or “perfectly symmetrical” result
What Is Different Between Treatments for Men vs Women?
Men often have thicker skin and stronger facial muscles, so they frequently need higher doses to get a similar softening effect. Treatment planning for men also aims to maintain a natural, masculine brow position and avoid over-arching.
Women more commonly request brow opening or subtle lift, and dosing is often lower because the muscles are smaller. In both, the best results come from matching treatment to anatomy, not gender stereotypes.
What Can Anti Wrinkle Injections Not Do?
Anti wrinkle relaxes muscle—it doesn’t add volume or fix skin laxity. If lines are deeply etched at rest, you may also benefit from skin treatments (medical skin needling, laser, peels, skincare) or filler in selected cases.
We’ll tell you plainly if your goal needs more than anti wrinkle alone, so you’re not wasting time or money.
What Is Covered During Informed Consent?
Before treatment, we will explain:
What we’re treating and why those muscles matter
What result is realistic for your face
The most common side effects and how long they last
The less common risks (like droop/heaviness) and what we do if they occur
Your aftercare instructions and review plan
You’ll have time to ask questions, and you should never feel rushed into treatment.
Before treatment, patients complete a detailed informed consent process to ensure they understand benefits, risks and alternatives.
How Long Does the Appointment Take?
Consultation and assessment: usually 10–20 minutes (longer if it’s your first time or you’re doing multiple areas)
The injections: typically 5–15 minutes
Total time: commonly 15–30 minutes
What Are the Frequently Asked Practical Questions?
How long do the bumps last?
Usually 15–30 minutes, occasionally up to an hour. If a small bump remains longer, it’s usually mild swelling and settles within 24 hours.
Can I go back to work straight after?
Yes—most people return to work immediately. If you bruise easily, consider scheduling a few days before an event.
Will I look frozen?
Not if it’s done properly and conservatively. The goal is a softer, rested look while keeping your expression natural—especially around the eyes and brows.
Do I need a review?
A 2-week review is ideal for first-timers or if you’re adjusting your treatment plan, because that’s when the final result is visible.
What Is the Summary of What to Expect?
Anti wrinkle injections are a quick, medical treatment that softens expression lines and can reduce jaw clenching. Results start in 3–5 days, peak at 10–14 days, and last around 3–4 months (longer for masseters, shorter for lip flips). Most side effects are mild and short-lived, and we plan treatment carefully to minimise risks like heaviness or droop.
Why Patients Choose Us in Newcastle
Anti wrinkle:
Forehead lines
Anti Wrinkle Injections FAQs
Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor – Broadmeadow, NSW
Short answer:
They are prescription treatments that relax targeted facial muscles to soften expression lines.
Extended answer:
Anti wrinkle injections work by temporarily reducing muscle movement in specific areas like the frown, forehead and crow’s feet. When the muscle relaxes, the overlying skin creases less, which softens lines and helps prevent deeper wrinkles from forming over time.
Short answer:
Common areas include frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines, lip flip, eyebrow lift and jaw (masseters).
Extended answer:
At Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor, anti wrinkle injections are most often used in the upper face, but can also treat jaw clenching (masseters) and subtle lip enhancement (lip flip). Treatment is customised to your facial anatomy and muscle strength.
Short answer:
Most treatments last around 3–4 months.
Extended answer:
Duration varies depending on the area treated, muscle strength and metabolism. Forehead, frown and crow’s feet typically last 3–4 months, masseters often last 4–6 months, and lip flip tends to wear off sooner.
Short answer:
You’ll usually notice changes within 3–5 days.
Extended answer:
Early softening starts within a few days, with full results visible at 10–14 days. This is why a two-week review is often recommended for first-time patients.
Short answer:
Most people describe it as mild discomfort.
Extended answer:
The injections use a very fine needle and feel like small pinpricks. The treatment itself usually takes only 5–15 minutes, and discomfort is brief.
Short answer:
Usually 15–30 minutes in total.
Extended answer:
Your consultation and facial assessment take most of the time. The injections themselves are quick. Many patients in Newcastle schedule treatments during lunch breaks.
Short answer:
Not when done properly.
Extended answer:
The goal at Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor is a natural, refreshed look. Dosing and placement are tailored so you still look like yourself—just less tired or stressed.
Short answer:
You may have small bumps or redness.
Extended answer:
Tiny raised bumps at injection sites are common and usually disappear within 15–30 minutes. Mild redness or swelling may last a few hours. Most people return to normal activities straight away.
Short answer:
Yes, immediately.
Extended answer:
There’s minimal downtime. If bruising occurs, it’s usually small and can be covered with makeup the next day.
Short answer:
Mild redness, swelling or bruising.
Extended answer:
These are temporary and typically settle within a few days. Bruising, if it occurs, may last 3–7 days depending on your skin and medications.
Short answer:
It’s an uncommon temporary lowering of the eyelid.
Extended answer:
Eyelid droop (ptosis) can occur if the medicine affects a nearby lifting muscle. It’s rare and usually temporary, resolving over weeks as the treatment wears off. Medical drops can help manage it if needed.
Short answer:
They are considered safe when performed by a qualified medical practitioner.
Extended answer:
Anti wrinkle injections have been used medically and cosmetically for many years. At Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor, treatment is prescribed and performed by an AHPRA-registered doctor following medical assessment and informed consent.
Short answer:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with certain medical conditions.
Extended answer:
Treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders or active infection in the treatment area require medical review before proceeding.
Short answer:
Yes, they can help prevent lines from deepening.
Extended answer:
By reducing repetitive muscle contraction, anti wrinkle treatment can slow the formation of permanent creases. Many younger patients in Newcastle choose preventative treatment for this reason.
Short answer:
A subtle treatment that rolls the upper lip slightly outward.
Extended answer:
A lip flip relaxes the muscle around the upper lip, allowing more of the lip to show when smiling. It doesn’t add volume like filler, and results typically last 6–10 weeks.
Short answer:
Yes, masseter treatment can reduce clenching and grinding.
Extended answer:
Masseter injections relax the jaw muscle, which can reduce tension headaches and teeth grinding. Over time, the jawline may appear slimmer as the muscle bulk decreases.
Short answer:
Avoid rubbing the area and strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Extended answer:
Stay upright for four hours after treatment, avoid heavy workouts for 24 hours, and avoid massaging the area. This helps minimise unwanted spread of the product.
Short answer:
Most patients return every 3–4 months.
Extended answer:
Regular maintenance helps keep results consistent. Some long-term patients find they can slightly extend time between appointments after several treatment cycles.
Short answer:
Yes, dosing and planning are often different.
Extended answer:
Men usually have stronger facial muscles and may require higher doses. Men's treatment is carefully planned to maintain a natural, masculine brow position.
Short answer:
Experience, medical oversight and a natural approach.
Extended answer:
Dr Bart Scanlon has performed over 70,000 cosmetic injectable treatments across 10 years and is AHPRA-registered. Patients across Newcastle and the Hunter region choose Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor for a medically guided, conservative and personalised approach to anti wrinkle treatment. Book a consultation with Dr Bart.
Our Medical Safety Protocols
All treatments are performed according to our clinical governance and safety standards to ensure patient care and treatment quality.
Why Choose Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor?
If you’re considering anti wrinkle or dermal filler treatments in Newcastle, book a relaxed and informative consultation with Dr. Bart Scanlon at Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor.
Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and does not replace a medical consultation. All cosmetic injectable treatments are individualised. Results vary. Any discussion of treatment is subject to clinical assessment, informed consent, and appropriate prescribing and administration under Australian regulations.