In the UK overall, approximately 7.7 million people received Botox – equivalent to roughly 1 in 9 adults. With millions of us rushing for a Botox fix in the lead up to Christmas, The Wordrobe quizzes the leading experts on the need-to-knows when it comes to this cosmetic procedure – and what the risks of the treatment REALLY are…
Botox is one of the world’s most commonly performed cosmetic procedures, used by millions every year to soften lines, ease tension and subtly refresh the face. It’s become shorthand for “a tweak” and it’s commonly seen as the easy, lunchtime lift that helps people look a little more rested.
What’s more, booking rates for Botox are 35% to 45% higher than average during the days leading up to Christmas, with some of the year’s busiest days occurring in late autumn and winter. And yet, despite its ubiquity, Botox remains the ‘most misunderstood’ treatment in aesthetics, with one fear echoed across every demographic: what if I look frozen?
Miss Jonquille Chantrey, surgeon, founder of øne Aesthetics Studio and one of the most globally influential authorities on injectables, says this is the number one concern patients bring to her clinic when it comes to anti-wrinkle injections.
“When done correctly, Botox isn’t about erasing. It’s about enhancing what makes you, you. There are far too many myths propagated about this treatment.”
Having performed tens of thousands of Botox procedures over 20 years, Chantrey developed an early reputation for creating results that were undetectable, elegant and natural. This was shaped by her work treating performers and public figures who could not afford to lose their facial movement.
“Early on in my career I developed a more natural and less detectable method of using Botox that was necessary for these high profile patients. I’ve used this method with all my patients over the years – delivering a precise, patient-centered approach to Botox that prioritises your individuality and respects your femininity, masculinity or gender.”
But Chantrey is equally clear that Botox is more than a cosmetic tool. As a global key opinion leader for Allergan Aesthetics, she has been at the forefront of research into Botox’s broader medical applications.
“Botox is more than a cosmetic treatment. It’s FDA-approved for medical conditions like migraines, providing life-changing relief for chronic pain sufferers. It can also ease jaw tension and teeth grinding, reducing headaches and consequently improving sleep. For those struggling with excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, Botox offers up to six months of restored confidence in both personal and professional settings.”
Botox’s safety profile is also one of the strongest of any aesthetic treatment available today.
“Botox is one of the most researched drugs in the world, with millions of treatments performed each year. Its proven safety record extends beyond cosmetic use to high-dose medical treatments for conditions like muscle disorders in children.”
Plastic surgeons Mr Dan Marsh and Mr Mo Akhavani of The Plastic Surgery Group leverage Botox in their clinic, too. Botox is a perennial favourite non-surgical treatment which increases in demand year on year, and this trajectory is set to continue in 2026.
Botox works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that transmits nerve signals to certain muscles, telling them to contract. Botox interrupts this communication and causes a temporary relaxation of the muscles, reducing their ability to contract and therefore preventing the formation of dynamic wrinkles.
Botox is commonly used on a number of facial muscles including; the frontalis muscle on the forehead, this is the muscle responsible for raising the eyebrows and causing horizontal wrinkles, the corrugator Supercilii muscle, this is situated near the inner end of the eyebrow and draws the eyebrows together, creating what is commonly known as the 11’s line, and the orbicularis oculi muscle, which allows for squinting and can lead to ‘crow’s feet’ at the outer corner of the eyes.
It typically starts to work within a few days and has an effect on the muscle for three to six months.
Another reason for its popularity is that it can be used in combination with other treatments, such as polynucleotides, in order to achieve comprehensive skin rejuvenation.
So, what are the risks – and how real are they?
In reality, the drug is extremely safe but only in medically trained, experienced hands.
The real risks include:
> Poor aesthetic outcomes
This includes heaviness, uneven brows, a flat or “mask-like” expression, almost always the result of incorrect technique rather than the product itself.
> Asymmetry
Temporary and usually correctable, often due to muscle imbalance.
> Eyelid or brow ptosis (droop)
Rare, but can occur if toxin diffuses into unintended muscles. This risk is significantly reduced through correct medical mapping, precise dosing and advanced technique.
> Headaches or mild flu-like symptoms
Experienced by a small minority and typically short-lived.
> Infection or allergic reaction
Extremely rare due to the sterile, purified nature of the drug.
“Like any medical procedure, Botox does carry risks, but these are largely technique-dependent rather than due to the product itself,” explains Miss Jonquille Chantrey.
“The most common issues I see in incorrectly treated patients are heaviness, asymmetry or a ‘mask-like’ appearance, and these almost always come from poor placement, incorrect dosing or a lack of understanding of facial anatomy. Very rarely, there can be a risk of temporary eyelid or brow drooping, mild headaches or flu-like symptoms, but these are uncommon and typically short-lived.”
And, should you be scared of looking frozen?
According to Chantrey, absolutely not.
“When done correctly, Botox isn’t about erasing anything at all. It’s about enhancing what makes you, you.”
