Everything you need to know about your first anti-wrinkle injections
At some point, you start noticing lines that no longer disappear when your face is at rest. Your forehead holds tension. The area around your eyes looks tired even when you feel fine. You may feel that your face is telling a story of stress or fatigue that does not match how you actually feel inside.
For most women, considering anti-wrinkle injections is not about changing their face. It is about softening what feels heavy, easing what feels tense, and reconnecting with a version of themselves that feels familiar. You want to look refreshed, not altered. You want subtlety, not drama.
At Herrera MD,
medspa and aesthetic services, every aesthetic journey begins with a thoughtful, physician-led approach. I am Dr. Brenda Herrera, an internal medicine physician with nearly two decades of experience. I help women feel aligned with their reflection again through personalized, medically guided care. You can explore our
injectables and PRP clinic to understand how we blend science, precision, and artistry.
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections are treatments designed to relax specific facial muscles responsible for expression-related lines. These are known as dynamic wrinkles, meaning they form from repeated movement such as frowning, raising the eyebrows, squinting, or smiling.
The active ingredient is a purified protein that temporarily blocks the chemical signals between nerves and targeted muscles. When these muscles relax, the overlying skin smooths and the appearance of wrinkles softens.
Anti-wrinkle injections do not affect untreated muscles. This means your natural expressions remain intact. When performed correctly, the face still moves and emotes, but with less tension and less creasing.
How anti-wrinkle injections work in the skin and muscles
Facial wrinkles caused by movement develop because certain muscles contract repeatedly over time. These contractions fold the skin in the same areas repeatedly, eventually creating lines that remain visible even at rest.
Anti-wrinkle injections work by reducing the strength of these muscle contractions. As the targeted muscles relax, the skin above them can smooth and recover. Over time, this not only softens existing lines but also helps prevent deeper wrinkles from forming.
Because the effect is temporary, muscle movement gradually returns. This is why treatments need to be repeated periodically to maintain results.
What does anti-wrinkle injection treatment involve
Treatment is quick, predictable, and generally very well tolerated. A series of small injections is placed into selected facial muscles using a very fine needle.
The sensation is usually described as quick pinches or stings. Ice or numbing cream may be used to minimize discomfort. The entire procedure typically takes only a few minutes.
There is virtually no downtime. Most patients return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your first appointment begins with a comprehensive consultation and facial assessment. Dr. Herrera evaluates how your muscles move, how your expressions form lines, and how your face rests when relaxed.
This assessment helps us understand your unique anatomy and develop a treatment plan based on balance, symmetry, and your desired outcome. Dosage and placement are carefully tailored so results can be as subtle or as noticeable as you prefer.
This personalized approach ensures that you still look like yourself, just more refreshed and at ease
