Botox: what it does, what it costs and what to ask before you book
Botox is one of the most effective treatments Dr Leah offers, and one of the most misunderstood. Whether it is worth it depends on which lines you have, where your brows sit and what you expect it to do.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah rates ten separate uses of Botox out of 10 and explains what Dr Leah does when a result disappoints. This page covers what any patient should know before booking.What Botox is
Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin type A, a prescription-only medicine that temporarily relaxes the muscles it is injected into. In cosmetic use it softens the lines made by expression: forehead lines, frown lines between the brows and crow’s feet. Other UK-licensed brands include Bocouture, Azzalure and Relfydess; their units are not interchangeable.
It was first approved for medical use in 1989 and for cosmetic treatment of frown lines in 2002. Botulinum toxin has been the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedure worldwide for more than a decade. Beyond the upper face it is also used for a lip flip, a gummy smile, downturned mouth corners, a dimpled chin, neck bands, jaw clenching and slimming, and excessive underarm sweating.
Generally used for
- Lines that appear on expression: forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet
- People who want a short appointment and little or no downtime
- Maintenance every few months rather than a one-off change
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Who Dr Leah would say no to, and why
- Why a result disappoints: heavy brows, rainbow lines, a peaked brow, lines that stay
- What Dr Leah does when Botox stops lasting, or stops working at all
- Dr Leah’s rating out of 10 for each of the ten uses
What to expect
| Results | Begin within a few days and are usually assessed at a review around two weeks after treatment. |
|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Typically three to four months, with individual variation. |
| Appointment and downtime | A brief appointment. Most people return to normal activities immediately. |
| What can go wrong | Temporary redness, swelling, bruising or headache are common. Brow heaviness, asymmetry, a peaked brow or eyelid droop can occur and wear off as the toxin does. Serious reactions are uncommon. Rarely, a patient stops responding to treatment. |
| Cost | Because Botox is a prescription-only medicine, UK clinics may not advertise its price and it can only be prescribed after a face-to-face assessment. Treatment is typically repeated three or four times a year, so the annual cost matters more than the single appointment. |
Five things to ask before you book
- Who is treating me, and are they GMC, NMC or GDC registered? Botox must be prescribed after a face-to-face assessment by a qualified prescriber.
- Which brand are you using? Botox, Bocouture, Azzalure and Relfydess are all UK-licensed type A toxins; units are not interchangeable between brands.
- Will you assess my brow position and eyelid hooding before planning the dose?
- What happens at the two-week review if one brow peaks or the result is uneven?
- If my lines are visible at rest, is Botox alone the right treatment?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 1 of The Ageless Blueprint rates ten uses of Botox out of 10 on results, cost, effort and risk, in Dr Leah’s own words. It explains which uses Dr Leah considers excellent value and which Dr Leah would steer most patients away from, what a good injector assesses before planning a dose, and what Dr Leah does when a result disappoints or Botox stops working. Eighteen pages, with illustrations.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
No. Botox relaxes muscle so expression lines soften; dermal filler adds volume or structure. They are often used for different problems and sometimes together. The guide rates both, in separate chapters.
The effect typically lasts three to four months, with individual variation, so most people who continue treatment have it three or four times a year.
It is a prescription-only medicine, so it must be prescribed after a face-to-face consultation with a qualified prescriber: a doctor registered with the GMC, a nurse prescriber with the NMC or a dentist with the GDC. Ask to see the registration.