Anti-wrinkle injections

Anti-wrinkle injections in Rotterdam

Anti-wrinkle injections with a muscle relaxant, commonly known as ‘botox’, temporarily relax the muscles that cause forehead lines, frown lines and crow's feet. At Zalat Clinics in Rotterdam-Zuid, every treatment is carried out personally by Dr. Pravesh Gadjradj, a BIG-registered doctor. Our aim is a fresh, natural look in which you keep your facial expressions.

Treatment time
15–20 minutes
Results visible
after 3–5 days, full effect after about 2 weeks
Results last
on average 3–4 months
Downtime
none; sometimes small bumps or redness for a few hours
Price
from €95

How does a muscle relaxant work on wrinkles?

Lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and beside the eyes are largely caused by repeated muscle movement: frowning, raising the eyebrows and smiling. These are called dynamic wrinkles. A muscle relaxant is a prescription medicine that is injected in small amounts into the relevant muscles using a very fine needle. The muscle then contracts less strongly, so the skin above it becomes smoother and existing lines soften.

Deep lines that are visible at rest usually do not disappear completely after one treatment, but they often become shallower. With regular treatment they have less chance to deepen further. We deliberately dose conservatively: we prefer a subtle result that can be fine-tuned at your check-up over a stiff or ‘frozen’ face.

Which areas do we treat: frown lines, crow's feet and forehead

During the free consultation the doctor looks at your face at rest and in motion, and together you decide which areas make sense. If the treatment does not suit your wishes or your face, we will tell you honestly. The treatment is suitable from age 18 and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Frown lines: the vertical lines between the eyebrows are caused by a group of small muscles that pull the brows together and down. Frown lines can make you look cross, worried or tired, even when you do not feel that way. After treatment the area between the brows usually looks calmer and more open; this is often the area people start with.

Crow's feet: the smile lines beside the eyes are caused by the ring muscle around the eye. The doctor treats only the outer part, so your smile stays natural and your eyes still smile with you. The aim is softer lines, not tight eye corners.

Forehead: the horizontal lines when you raise your eyebrows. Because the forehead muscle also lifts your brows, this area calls for careful, often lower dosing and is usually treated together with the frown lines. You can read more about forehead lines, avoiding heavy brows and the baby forehead treatment on our separate forehead lines page.

  • Baby or mini treatment: a lower dose in one area, for those who want to start preventively or extra subtly
  • Smaller areas such as a lip flip, gummy smile, bunny lines, downturned mouth corners and the chin muscle each have their own page and can be added in the same appointment
  • Muscle relaxants are also used for teeth grinding or a broad jaw, excessive underarm sweating and a tense neck or shoulders; each of these treatments has its own page too

What happens during the treatment?

  1. 01

    Free consultation

    We discuss your wishes, medical history and any medication. The doctor explains what is realistic and you receive a fixed price in advance. You decide whether and when to go ahead.

  2. 02

    Treatment

    The skin is cleansed and the injection points are marked. A few small injections are given with a fine needle. It feels like brief pinpricks; numbing is usually not needed. The treatment takes about 15–20 minutes.

  3. 03

    Effect

    After 3–5 days you notice the muscles contract less. The full result is visible after about two weeks.

  4. 04

    Free check-up after two weeks

    At the check-up the doctor assesses the result. If a small correction is needed to balance things out, we discuss it straight away.

Aftercare and possible side effects

Most people can return to work immediately. Small bumps at the injection points usually fade within an hour. A bruise or mild headache occasionally occurs. Rarely, an eyebrow or eyelid droops slightly for a while; this resolves on its own as the effect wears off. If you have questions or concerns, you can reach the doctor via WhatsApp.

  • Do not lie flat for the first 4 hours and do not rub or massage the treated areas
  • Avoid strenuous exercise, sauna and sunbeds for 24 hours; a gentle walk is fine
  • Preferably avoid alcohol on the day of treatment

How much do anti-wrinkle injections cost?

A baby or mini treatment of one area is available from €95. One full area costs €120, two areas €170 and three areas (forehead, frown lines and crow's feet) €229. The final price is agreed during the consultation, before any treatment takes place. The consultation and the two-week check-up are free.

Where does the treatment take place and who treats you?

Zalat Clinics is at Middelharnisstraat 121A in Pendrecht, Rotterdam-Zuid (3086 GH Rotterdam). Paid street parking is available; Slinge metro station (lines D and E) is a 5–10 minute walk. The clinic is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00. You can book a free consultation online or via WhatsApp.

Every treatment is carried out by Dr. Pravesh Gadjradj, a doctor with BIG registration number 39924163701. You can check this number yourself in the public BIG register. A muscle relaxant is a prescription medicine: the doctor reviews your health and medication beforehand, and we only use products registered in the Netherlands.

We do not publish client stories or before-and-after photos on this website. If you would like to know how others experienced their treatment, take a look at our Google Business Profile, where clients can leave their own review. During the consultation the doctor can show you examples.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Pravesh Gadjradj, BIG 39924163701.

Frequently asked questions

Is a muscle relaxant the same as botox?

Yes, a muscle relaxant is commonly called ‘botox’. In the Netherlands, prescription medicines may not be promoted by brand name, so we refer to it as a muscle relaxant or anti-wrinkle injections. The way it works is the same.

How long does the result last?

On average 3–4 months. After that the effect gradually wears off and muscle movement returns. With repeated treatments some people find the effect lasts a little longer. A repeat treatment is usually possible after 3–4 months; we do not treat more often than once every three months.

How long should I avoid exercise after anti-wrinkle injections (botox)?

The usual advice is no strenuous exercise, such as running, gym training or swimming, for 24 hours. A gentle walk after the treatment is fine. Strenuous effort, heat and a lot of bending increase blood flow, so we prefer you to wait a day before training hard again.

Can I have my full face treated in one session?

Yes, several areas can be treated in one session. A popular combination is forehead, frown lines and crow's feet; three areas together cost €229. Small areas such as bunny lines or a lip flip can be added in the same appointment. The doctor discusses in advance which areas make sense, so the result stays natural.

Will I look unnatural or ‘frozen’?

That is not our aim. The doctor doses per area and per person so you keep your expressions. When in doubt we choose less, with the option to top up at the free check-up.

Does it hurt?

Most people find the pinpricks very tolerable. A very fine needle is used and the treatment is short. Numbing is usually not needed.

When should I not be treated?

Not during pregnancy or breastfeeding, not under 18, and not with certain muscle or nerve conditions. An active skin infection in the area is also a reason to postpone. The doctor will go through this during the consultation.

Are anti-wrinkle injections safe?

When dosed carefully by a qualified doctor, this is a widely used and well-researched treatment. The medicine only works locally and temporarily; after a few months the effect has worn off completely. A bruise, a mild headache or, rarely, a temporarily drooping eyelid can occur. The doctor discusses this with you beforehand and can be reached via WhatsApp after the treatment.

From what age can I start, and does it work preventively?

Treatment is possible from age 18, but there is no fixed ideal age. For early lines that mainly show when you move, a low dose (a baby or mini treatment) can help prevent them from deepening. The doctor will tell you honestly during the consultation whether this makes sense for you; sometimes the advice is to wait.

Can lines that are visible at rest be treated with filler or a skin booster?

Sometimes. A muscle relaxant works on lines caused by movement. Deep lines that remain visible at rest, or thinner, less firm skin, may benefit from a small amount of filler or a skin booster such as Profhilo. The doctor will discuss during the consultation whether a combination makes sense for you.

Related treatments

Forehead lines

Soften horizontal forehead lines with a low, evenly spread dose of muscle relaxant, so your eyebrows stay light and expressive.

from€95

Lip flip

A low dose of muscle relaxant above the upper lip lets the lip roll out slightly, showing more of the red part without adding volume.

from€75

Gummy smile

Show less gum when you smile: a small dose of muscle relaxant makes the upper lip lift less high, while your smile stays natural.

from€75

Ready for the first step?

Book a no-obligation consultation. We take time for your questions, and you know exactly what to expect before anything is done.