Restore your natural, youthful look
Restore your natural, youthful look
Repeated facial movement gradually leads to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly across the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. At VL Aesthetics in Carlisle, anti-wrinkle treatments using Botox® are designed to soften these lines while maintaining natural facial expression.
Botox® works by relaxing targeted facial muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles. When administered with precision, the treatment can reduce the appearance of lines while supporting a smoother and more refreshed appearance.
Your consultation is carried out by an experienced practitioner who will assess your facial profile and discuss the most appropriate treatment areas. As a doctor-led, CQC-regulated clinic, VL Aesthetics prioritises safety, clinical standards, and natural-looking results. Book a consultation today to discuss whether Botox® treatment is suitable for you.
Dr. Paulina graduated in 1993 with an MB ChB, and is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. He is an expert Aesthetic Practitioner, with almost a decade of experience behind him. Dr. Paulina’s main interest is non-surgical facial rejuvenation utilising the latest treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, deep fillers, Sculptra®, Silhouette Soft, mesotherapy, PDO thread lifts, and minor surgery. Dr. Paulina is accredited by Allergan®, Mertz®, Sinclair Pharma®, and Esthetique Distribution®, and is still a part-time general practitioner on the NHS with special interest in minor surgery.
Jill obtained Registered General Nurse status in 1981 at South Tyneside Hospital where she worked for many years. She has been a full-time Cosmetic Injector since 2003, training in aesthetic procedures at The Royal College of London and at some of the most prestigious companies in Harley Street, including KT Training where Jill trained doctors, dentists, and nurses in advanced use of botulinum toxin type A, dermal fillers, and mesotherapy for fat loss. An experienced speaker at aesthetic conferences in the UK, Paris, and Spain, Jill has performed over 30,000 safe aesthetic procedures and was awarded “Aesthetic Clinician of the Year” during the 2018 North East Beauty Awards.
There are many different types of cosmetic injectables, and many different brands that use these injectables. For example, Botox® is a trademarked name for a treatment that uses botulinum toxin, and TEOSYAL️® is a trademarked name for a treatment that uses hyaluronic acid. At VL Aesthetics, we only use the top brands for our cosmetic injections.
To activate muscles, motor neurons release a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) into the neuromuscular junction. Botulinum toxin inhibits this release – it breaks down the communication between the motor neurons and the muscle cells. This has the effect of relaxing the muscles, and when applied to specific facial areas, will improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body. It is a sugar-based compound that acts as a powerful humectant - it can carry up to 1000 times its weight in water, giving skin a young and supple appearance. As you get older, your body makes less hyaluronic acid, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. By filling in your fine lines and wrinkles with hyaluronic acid, we can restore a youthful look.
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We tailor make our treatments to suit your aims, objectives, and personal characteristics. Because of this very personal approach, pricing varies from person to person and can only be provided at your Consultation.
We are however, very competitively priced in Cumbria, and our treatments come with a convenient payment plan option that allows you to pay in manageable monthly instalments.
Botox® can effectively treat various facial areas to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Commonly treated areas include:
Forehead: Reduces horizontal lines and prevents new wrinkles from forming.
Frown Lines (Glabellar Lines): Softens vertical lines between the eyebrows, often called "11 lines."
Crow’s Feet: Minimises wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes.
Bunny Lines: Smoothens wrinkles on the sides of the nose.
Lips: Treats vertical lip lines and can create a subtle "lip flip."
Chin: Reduces dimpling for a smoother appearance.
Please examine the image below for more information:
Botox® is made from botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein derived from Clostridium botulinum. In small, controlled doses, it is safe and effective for both medical and cosmetic purposes.
For more information, please read 'Understanding Botox®'.
Botox® is widely regarded as safe, backed by over 20 years of clinical use and extensive peer-reviewed studies. It is FDA-approved for both cosmetic (since 2002) and medical (since 1989) treatments, with regulatory endorsement from bodies like the UK’s MHRA. When administered by licensed professionals, Botox® has a strong safety record supported by rigorous clinical testing.
Temporary side effects, such as mild bruising, swelling, or headaches, are rare and typically resolve within days. However, complications are more likely if treatment is performed by unqualified practitioners, emphasising the importance of choosing a reputable clinic with certified injectors.
Botox® is not suitable for everyone, including pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with neuromuscular disorders or specific allergies. At VL Aesthetics, your safety comes first - Dr. Awfa, a highly skilled Aesthetic Practitioner with nearly a decade of experience, performs a thorough medical assessment before every treatment to determine your suitability and deliver expert, personalised care for optimal results.
To learn more, please read 'Is Botox® Safe'.
Botox® may not be suitable for:
Always consult with a qualified professional to determine if Botox® is right for you. At VL Aesthetics, Dr. Awfa conducts an in-depth assessment to confirm your suitability for treatment and to provide safe, personalised care for the best possible results.
The injections themselves are relatively painless. However, the most common side effects are tenderness and mild bruising around the injected areas.
Should you have any concerns after your treatment, Dr. Awfa will be happy to conduct a telephone consultation with you.
The most common minor side effects are tenderness and mild bruising around the injected areas. Very rarely some patients may experience headaches, drooping eyelids, or muscle weakness. These reactions usually disappear after 72 hours.
To learn more, please read 'Is Botox® Safe'.
No, Botox® does not cause permanent damage. Its effects are temporary, lasting 3–6 months, after which the treated muscles regain their normal function. Any side effects are usually short-lived.
For more information, please read 'Botox® for Beginners'.
When administered by an experienced professional, Botox® provides natural-looking results. Overuse or improper technique can lead to an unnatural or "frozen" appearance, which is why choosing a skilled practitioner is essential.
To learn more, please read 'Debunking Botox® Myths'.
In general, it takes 7-10 days for the treatment to take full effect, and the results last 3-6 months.
How long the results last for depends on the number of previous treatments, the treatment areas, and your individual characteristics.
To learn more, please read: 'The Botox® Timeline'.
Botox® is a versatile treatment approved by the FDA for managing various medical conditions, including:
Additionally, Botox® is often used off-label to address other concerns such as teeth grinding (bruxism), Raynaud’s disease, and symptoms of depression.
To learn more, please read 'Surprising Uses for Botox®'.
Botox® is a safe option for medical treatments when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. It has undergone extensive research and is approved for treating various conditions. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, including slight bruising, swelling, or discomfort at the injection site.
For more information, please read 'Surprising Uses for Botox®'.
Botox® works by blocking nerve signals that trigger muscle contractions or gland activity. This interruption allows Botox® to relax overactive muscles, alleviate pain, or reduce glandular activity, such as excessive sweating.
For more information, please read 'Surprising Uses for Botox®'.
There is no specific age at which you should start the treatments – All people age differently and feel differently about how they look. In general, we find that people start the treatments for the following reasons:
20s – To prevent wrinkles and fine lines from occurring.
30s – To prolong the youthful look as wrinkles and fine lines start to appear.
40s – To tackle wrinkles and fine lines before they are deeply imprinted.
50+ – To improve the appearance of deeper wrinkles and fine lines.
No, Botox® is not physically addictive. However, patients often return for repeat treatments because they enjoy the results and the confidence boost it provides.
To learn more, please read 'Debunking Botox® Myths'.
Before your treatment begins, our expert injector will discuss your aims and objectives, explain the various therapeutic options, and will determine if you are a suitable candidate.
If Botox® is right for you, then Dr. Awfa will begin by cleansing your face and marking out the treatment areas.
A fine needle is used to deliver the solution directly into the target areas, avoiding facial veins to prevent bruising.
Depending on which areas are being treated, the session can last between 30-60 minutes. The treatment is done on a walk-in walk-out basis with no time required for recovery.
For more information, please read 'Botox® for Beginners'.
In the first 24 hours post-procedure, please try to adhere to the following guidelines:
For more information, please read 'Botox® for Beginners'.
No, stopping Botox® will not make your wrinkles worse. Over time, your treated muscles will regain their natural function, and wrinkles will return to their pre-treatment state.
Yes. At your Consultation we can organise a payment plan that suits you.
For over 15 years we’ve been helping people in Cumbria to change the way they look and feel. Here’s why 1000s of people have chosen VL Aesthetics:
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Located just outside of Carlisle's city centre on Kingmoor Road, we are very easy to get to and have lots of free parking space – We’re on the left past Austin Friars School heading towards Rockliffe, or if you’re coming of the bypass on Kingmoor Road (East) roundabout follow the sign for Etterby under the low bridge and we’re ¼ of a mile on the right.