WHAT ARE ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS?

Anti-wrinkle injections use botulinum toxin type A (commonly known as Botox) to smooth lines, prevent wrinkles, and treat various medical and aesthetic concerns. At Sebastian Rose Medical Aesthetics in Cardiff, we offer premium anti-wrinkle treatments across South Wales using the most advanced formulations available.

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WHAT BRANDS DO YOU USE IN CARDIFF?

We use Azzalure and Alluzience in our Cardiff clinic - both premium botulinum toxin type A formulations manufactured by Galderma and fully licensed by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Azzalure - Delivers natural, precise results lasting 3-4 months with excellent diffusion properties for smooth, even outcomes.

Alluzience - Our extended-duration option, clinically proven to last up to 6 months or more, perfect for clients seeking fewer appointments and longer-lasting results.

We've chosen these brands because our extensive clinical experience has shown they consistently deliver superior results compared to other market options including Botox (Allergan), Bocouture (Merz), and Letybo (Croma).

For antibody concerns: Bocouture (Merz) is free of 'non-accessory proteins' and may be recommended if you've developed antibodies to other botulinum toxin formulations. We also offer this if needed, or requested.

On request, we can also offer all other MHRA licensed brands of botulinum toxin.

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BOTOX BRANDS: WHAT'S LEGAL & WHAT'S NOT IN THE UK

MHRA-LICENSED BOTULINUM TOXIN BRANDS FOR AESTHETIC USE IN THE UK

Injectable botulinum toxin type products currently licensed in the UK for aesthetic procedures include Alluzience, Azzalure, Bocouture, Botox, Letybo, Nuceiva and Relfydess. 

These are the ONLY seven botulinum toxin formulations legally licensed by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) specifically for cosmetic/aesthetic use. They meet rigorous safety, quality and efficacy standards and must be obtained through secure, regulated pharmaceutical supply chains.

Complete List of MHRA-Licensed Brands for Aesthetic Use:

1. Alluzience (Galderma) - Used at Sebastian Rose ✓

2. Azzalure (Galderma/Ipsen) - Used at Sebastian Rose ✓

3. Bocouture (Merz Aesthetics) - Used at Sebastian Rose ✓ (if needed / on request)

4. Botox (Allergan/AbbVie) - Used at Sebastian Rose ✓ (if needed / on request)

5. Letybo (Croma/Hugel) - Not used at Sebastian Rose

6. Nuceiva (Evolus) - Not used at Sebastian Rose

7. Relfydess (Galderma) - Not used at Sebastian Rose. Relfydess was licensed in January 2025 and remains under additional MHRA monitoring as the newest botulinum toxin on the UK market. As a recently approved product, real-world data beyond phase 3 clinical trials is still limited. Real-life patient outcomes effectively constitute phase 4 data, which takes time to accumulate. At Sebastian Rose, we've reviewed Galderma's clinical data provided to medical professionals and found the demonstrated efficacy does not yet justify introducing a newly-launched product when we have established, proven alternatives with extensive safety profiles. We prefer to monitor post-market surveillance data before offering Relfydess to our Cardiff patients, ensuring we only provide treatments with robust real-world evidence. Read more about our position on new aesthetic products in [our blog post].

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IMPORTANT: Dysport and Xeomin are NOT licensed for aesthetic/cosmetic use in the UK.

Certainly before 2022, the main approved Botulinum Toxin brands for use in the UK for cosmetic purposes were Botox (produced by Allergan), Azzalure (aka Dysport/, produced by Galderma), and Bocouture (aka Xeomin, produced by Merz). 

• Dysport = Licensed for therapeutic/medical use only (spasticity, hyperhidrosis, etc.) 

• Xeomin = Licensed for therapeutic/medical use only - NOT for cosmetic use

• Azzalure = The cosmetic-licensed version of Dysport

• Bocouture = The cosmetic-licensed version of Xeomin

 

WHY WE USE AZZALURE & ALLUZIENCE AT SEBASTIAN ROSE

While all seven MHRA-licensed aesthetic brands are legal and safe, we've chosen Azzalure and Alluzience because our extensive clinical experience demonstrates they consistently deliver superior, longer-lasting results for our Cardiff patients.

Bocouture (Xeomin's cosmetic formulation) is protein-free and may be recommended in rare cases where clients have developed antibodies to other formulations.

 

UNLICENSED & ILLEGAL BOTOX IN THE UK

Despite clear MHRA regulations, numerous unlicensed botulinum toxin products are being illegally imported and administered across the UK. Between 4 June and 6 August 2025, 41 confirmed cases of botulism were reported across several regions in England, with investigations showing that the majority of individuals received products that are unlicensed for use in the UK.

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Common unlicensed brands circulating illegally in the UK include:

• Botulax (South Korea) - Almost all of the seized products originated in South Korea, including brands such as Botulax, reNTox, Innotox, and Toxpia, which are not authorised for sale in the UK.

• Meditoxin (South Korea)

• Nabota (South Korea)

• Rentox / reNTox (South Korea)

• Innotox (South Korea - liquid formulation)

• Neuronox (South Korea)

• Toxpia (South Korea)

• Coretox (South Korea)

• Relatox (South Korea)

• Reotox (South Korea)

• Cunox (China)

• BTXA (China)

• Dysport when used for cosmetic purposes (only licensed for medical/therapeutic use)

• Xeomin when used for cosmetic purposes (only licensed for medical/therapeutic use)

• Various counterfeit, unbranded, or misbranded products

WHY THIS MATTERS - THE DANGERS OF BLACK MARKET BOTOX

❌ Not MHRA-approved for cosmetic use - These products have either not been approved at all in the UK, or are only licensed for medical (not aesthetic) purposes

❌ Insecure supply chains - Unlicensed products are sourced outside legitimate pharmaceutical distribution, often through unregulated channels where storage, handling and authenticity cannot be verified

❌ Counterfeit & contamination risk - Black market botox may be counterfeit, diluted, contaminated, expired, or improperly stored (botulinum toxin requires strict 2-8°C refrigeration)

❌ No UK traceability - Licensed products have full batch traceability and MHRA Yellow Card adverse event reporting. Unlicensed products do not

❌ Illegal prescribing - Only UK-registered prescribers (doctors, dentists, independent prescriber nurses, pharmacist prescribers) can legally prescribe botulinum toxin. Many practitioners offering cheap botox operate outside their scope or aren't qualified prescribers

❌ Unlicensed pharmacies - Licensed botox must be sourced from GPhC-registered UK pharmacies. Black market products bypass this entirely

❌ No product liability insurance - If complications arise, practitioners may not be insured, leaving patients with no recourse

❌ Criminal offense - Anyone caught selling or supplying unlicensed botulinum toxin faces up to two years in prison and unlimited fines under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 GOV.UK

❌ Life-threatening complications - 41 individuals left seriously ill between June and August 2025, with 8 patients requiring intensive care treatment after suspected unlicensed botulinum toxin use GOV.UK

 

RED FLAGS: HOW TO SPOT ILLEGAL BOTOX

Be extremely wary if:

• Prices significantly cheaper than established medical clinics

• Practitioner won't specify which MHRA-licensed brand they use

• They mention Korean brands, Chinese brands, or "pharmaceutical grade from abroad"

• Treatment in non-clinical settings (homes, hotels, salons, mobile services)

• Practitioner is not a GMC/NMC/GDC/GPhC-registered medical professional

• No face-to-face consultation or medical history taken

• Brand name not on the seven MHRA-licensed aesthetic list

• Told "it's the same as Botox" or "it's what they use in Korea"

• No prescription issued (botulinum toxin is POM - prescription-only medicine)

• Social media offers with "DM for prices" or cash-only

• Cannot provide batch numbers, expiry dates, or pharmacy source

• Practitioner mentions using "Dysport" or "Xeomin" for wrinkles (these are only licensed for medical use in UK, not cosmetic)

 

WHY WE ONLY USE MHRA-LICENSED BRANDS AT SEBASTIAN ROSE CARDIFF

Patient safety is non-negotiable. We exclusively use Azzalure and Alluzience - both:

✓ Fully MHRA-licensed for UK aesthetic use
✓ Sourced only from GPhC-registered UK pharmacies
✓ Prescribed by GMC/NMC-registered medical professionals
✓ Delivered through secure pharmaceutical supply chains
✓ Fully traceable with batch numbers and expiry dates
✓ Covered by comprehensive clinical indemnity insurance
✓ Subject to rigorous quality control and cold chain management

You deserve to know exactly what's being injected, where it came from, who prescribed it, and that it meets the highest UK safety and legal standards. We will never compromise on quality, legality, or your wellbeing.

Your face. Your safety. Always legal. Always MHRA-licensed. Always traceable. Always Sebastian Rose.

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WHAT ARE ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS USED FOR IN CARDIFF?

Anti-wrinkle injections treat fine, moderate and severe facial lines, plus a wide range of medical and advanced aesthetic concerns including migraines, excessive sweating, teeth grinding, and more.

Standard Anti-Wrinkle Areas:

• Frown lines (11's between eyebrows)

• Forehead lines

• Crow's feet (eye wrinkles)

Advanced Botox Treatments Cardiff:

• Microtox / Skin Botox - Glass skin treatment for pore reduction, oil control, skin texture refinement

• TrapTox (Barbie Botox) - Trapezius slimming for elegant shoulder contour

• Masseter reduction - Jaw slimming for V-shaped face

• Nefertiti lift - Neck tightening and jawline definition

• Gummy smile correction

• Lip flip

• Brow lift

• Nose tip lift and nose slimming

• Bunny lines (nose wrinkles)

• Smoker's lines (perioral lines)

• Under-eye lines (jelly rolls)

• Orange-peel/dimpled chin

• Downturned mouth corners

• Facial asymmetry correction

Medical & Therapeutic Botox Cardiff:

• Chronic migraines

• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

• Blepharospasm (eyelid spasms)

• Facial tics and twitches

• Dystonia

• Hemifacial spasm

Not everyone is suitable for every treatment. During your consultation and clinical assessment, we'll advise whether you're suitable for your desired treatment and suggest alternatives if needed.

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WHAT IS MICROTOX / SKIN BOTOX?

Microtox (also called Skin Botox or Glass Skin Botox) is a specialized technique using diluted botulinum toxin injected superficially into the skin - not the muscles. This Korean-inspired treatment:

• Reduces pore size

• Controls oil production and shine

• Improves skin texture and luminosity

• Creates "glass skin" effect

• Refines skin quality without freezing facial expression

Perfect for oily skin, large pores, or achieving that coveted Korean glass skin aesthetic in Cardiff.

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HOW DO ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS WORK?

Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks nerve signals to targeted muscles, reducing movement that causes wrinkles. For Microtox, superficial injection targets oil glands and pores rather than deep muscles, improving skin quality without affecting expression.

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HOW SOON WILL I SEE RESULTS FROM BOTOX IN CARDIFF?

Anti-wrinkle injections typically start working within 3-10 days, with full results visible at 14-21 days. Microtox/Skin Botox results may appear slightly faster, often within 7-10 days.

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HOW LONG DO ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS LAST?

Azzalure: 3-4 months
Alluzience Longer: Up to 6 months or more
Microtox/Skin Botox: 3-4 months

Regular treatments help improve muscle and skin tone over time, meaning many clients can extend time between appointments as they continue treatment.

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HOW LONG DOES BOTOX TREATMENT TAKE IN CARDIFF?

Standard anti-wrinkle treatments take 5-10 minutes. Advanced treatments like Microtox, TrapTox or masseter reduction may take 15-20 minutes depending on treatment area.

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IS BOTOX PAINFUL?

Not at all. We use ultra-fine specialized needles and expert technique to ensure virtually painless injections. Many clients who've experienced discomfort elsewhere report our treatments are significantly more comfortable.

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ARE RESULTS INSTANT?

No. Anti-wrinkle injections take 3-10 days to start working, with full effects at up to 21 days.

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WHERE DO YOU PROVIDE BOTOX TREATMENTS?

We provide all anti-wrinkle injections at our Cardiff clinic, serving clients across South Wales including Penarth, Barry, Newport, Pontypridd, Caerphilly, RCT, Monmouthshire, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Lllanelli, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

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HOW MANY 'AREAS' DO I NEED? WHAT IS AN 'AREA'?

Standard areas include:

• Frown lines (glabella) - 1 area

• Forehead lines - 1 area

• Crow's feet - 1 area (both eyes)

Most clients treat all three areas together for balanced, natural results.

Important: Forehead cannot be treated without also treating frown lines, as this would create an unbalanced "angry" appearance by removing the elevator muscle function without balancing the depressor muscles.

Advanced treatments like Microtox, TrapTox, masseter reduction, and medical applications are priced separately based on treatment area and complexity.

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WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE MY BOTOX APPOINTMENT IN CARDIFF?

• Avoid alcohol 24 hours before treatment (reduces bruising risk)

• Avoid ibuprofen/aspirin 24 hours before (reduces bruising risk)

• Arrive fresh-faced without makeup

• Ensure 48-hour consultation gap for first-time patients (prescription requirement)

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER BOTOX TREATMENT?

Immediately after injection, treated areas may be slightly pink or show tiny bumps for up to 1 hour - this is completely normal and resolves quickly. Then simply wait for results to develop over 7-14 days.

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AFTERCARE: WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER BOTOX?

DO:

• Keep moving treated muscles normally for 1 hour post-treatment

• Follow all verbal and written aftercare instructions provided

• Stay upright for 4 hours after treatment

DON'T:

• Touch or massage injected areas

• Wear makeup for 6 hours

• Exercise vigorously for 24 hours

• Lie flat for 4 hours

• Have facial treatments for 2 weeks

Anti-wrinkle injections are true lunchtime treatments - return to normal activities immediately with zero downtime.

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WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF BOTOX IN CARDIFF?

When administered by experienced medical professionals (we've performed thousands of treatments and train other medical practitioners), anti-wrinkle injections are extremely safe.

Minor, temporary side effects:

• Pinprick redness (resolves during treatment)

• Pinprick bleeding (resolves during treatment)

• Small bumps (resolve within 5-10 minutes)

• Minor bruising (rare, resolves within days)

Rare complications when treated by skilled professionals:

• Eyebrow ptosis (drooping)

• Eyelid ptosis

• Eyebrow elevation asymmetry

These risks are minimised through expert technique, anatomical knowledge, and conservative dosing.

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WHO CANNOT HAVE ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS?

You cannot have Botox if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Are under 18 years old

• Are taking certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides)

• Have chronic muscle/nerve conditions (myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, ALS)

• Have sensitivity to product excipients (human albumin, lactose monohydrate)

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AM I SUITABLE FOR BOTOX FOR MIGRAINES IN CARDIFF?

Botox for chronic migraines requires a written letter from your GP confirming migraine diagnosis before treatment can proceed.

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PRESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTOX IN CARDIFF

Anti-wrinkle injections are prescription-only medications. First-time patients must:

1. Complete medical consultation at least 48 hours before treatment

2. Fill out comprehensive medical history form

3. Receive clinical assessment for suitability

Consultations must be conducted face-to-face in our Cardiff clinic.

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BOOK ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS IN CARDIFF

Experience premium Botox, Microtox, and advanced anti-wrinkle treatments at Sebastian Rose Medical Aesthetics, Cardiff. Serving South Wales with expert medical practitioners, cutting-edge techniques, and natural-looking results.

Book your consultation and treatment today.