For patients in South Africa
Anti-wrinkle injections in Turkey from South Africa: what to expect
Anti-wrinkle injections soften the lines that form when you frown, raise your eyebrows or smile. They are a prescription treatment given by a doctor after an assessment, and they relax the muscles beneath the skin for a few months. This page explains how they work, what they cannot do, and what South African patients should think about before including them in a trip to İzmir.
In short: Anti-wrinkle injections use botulinum toxin type A to relax targeted facial muscles for about three to four months. The appointment takes 10 to 20 minutes, there is no hospital stay, and most people resume normal activities the same day. Because the effect is temporary and needs repeating, a trip from South Africa only for injections rarely makes sense.
Last updated: October 2026
How the injections work
Lines that appear when the face moves are called dynamic wrinkles. A small amount of botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein, is injected into specific muscles and temporarily reduces the nerve signals that make them contract. The skin above folds less, so the lines soften. As nerve function recovers, movement gradually returns.
The injections are prescription medicines. They are given by a doctor after assessing your face and medical history, never as a walk-in treatment.
Areas commonly treated
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet at the sides of the eyes
- Lines on the bridge of the nose
- Downturned corners of the mouth
- Dimpling of the chin
- Neck bands, in selected cases
These injections do not add volume. Lines visible at rest, loose skin and hollows need other approaches, such as dermal fillers or, for loose skin, the options in our facial surgery guide.
Who they suit
Adults in good general health with visible expression lines and realistic expectations. Treatment is not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with certain neuromuscular conditions, with an allergy to any ingredient, or with an infection at the injection site. The doctor asks you to make different expressions, reviews your medicines and explains the likely result and risks before marking the injection points.
What happens afterwards
- Mild redness, swelling or small bumps at the injection points are common and temporary
- Stay upright for several hours and do not rub or massage the treated areas
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- The effect starts within three to five days and is fully developed by 10 to 14 days
- Results usually last three to four months
Most patients can fly the same day unless the doctor advises otherwise. Because the full effect takes up to two weeks, ask how a review will happen if you are already home; photographs and a video call are usually the practical route.
From Johannesburg or Cape Town it is around ten hours to Istanbul direct, then a short flight to İzmir; South Africans need an e-Visa, and Turkey is one hour ahead. Honestly, that journey only for anti-wrinkle injections is hard to justify. It makes more sense alongside another treatment you were already planning in İzmir.
Risks
Common side effects are temporary redness, bruising, mild headache and discomfort at the injection site. Less commonly, an eyelid or eyebrow can droop, the face can look uneven, the eyes may feel dry or water more, or you may feel briefly flu-like. Most of these wear off on their own as the effect fades.
Results vary from person to person, and this is not a substitute for medical care.
Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications from treatment for one year, treated in İzmir at no charge (flights and accommodation are your own cost). It does not cover preferring a different look within what was discussed beforehand. See our complaints page and clinic facts.
Cost and cover
The cost of anti-wrinkle injections depends on the areas treated, the product, the number of sessions and what your package includes, all set out in your written plan. Medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic treatment abroad and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment, so check both.
What we will not do
We will not treat without a doctor’s assessment, we will not aim for a frozen look, and we will not encourage more frequent treatment than you need. Other options are in our skin treatments guide for South African patients and on the anti-ageing treatments page; the UK anti-wrinkle treatments page has further detail.
Frequently asked questions
How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?
Usually three to four months. Movement returns gradually, and repeat treatment is needed to keep the effect.
Will my face look frozen?
When the dose and injection points are chosen carefully, the aim is to soften lines while keeping natural expression. Tell the doctor how much movement you want to keep.
Can I fly back to South Africa straight after treatment?
Most patients can travel the same day unless the doctor advises otherwise. The full effect takes up to two weeks, so agree how you will be reviewed from home.
Do anti-wrinkle injections fill hollows or lift loose skin?
No. They relax muscles to soften expression lines. Volume loss and loose skin need other treatments, which the doctor can discuss.
Is it worth travelling from South Africa just for anti-wrinkle injections?
Rarely. The appointment is short and the effect is temporary, so they make most sense alongside another treatment you were already planning in Turkey.
Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.