Australia has new, stricter rules for Botox (Botulinum Toxin) and other cosmetic injectables, implemented by AHPRA, focusing on practitioner training, patient safety (including psych screening), & banning influencer ads, with prescriptions only after real-time consultations (video/in-person) for all patients, especially those under 18 who have a 7-day wait. Key changes include mandatory detailed assessments, clear informed consent, banning misleading ads, and ensuring continuity of care, treating these like medical procedures, not beauty treatments.
The new regulations will require high-risk procedures to be performed only by qualified healthcare professionals in CQC-registered facilities. Lower-risk treatments like Botox will face stricter oversight through local authority licensing. Practitioners must meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards.
Usually, this is a medical practitioner, dentist or nurse practitioner1. Before the procedure can go ahead, they must consult with you, take your full history and ensure the procedure is safe for you. They must also explain the possible risks and seek your informed consent. Make sure you discuss your expectations.
The "Botox 4-hour rule" means you should stay upright and avoid pressure or lying down for at least four hours after injections to prevent the neurotoxin from migrating from the treated muscles to unintended areas, which can cause side effects like drooping or uneven results. This helps the Botox settle precisely where it's needed for optimal wrinkle-smoothing effects, so avoid bending, rubbing, or strenuous activity during this critical period.
In January 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) issued new prescribing rules to its members, stating that Botox could only be prescribed following a face-to-face consultation with a prescribing nurse.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Botox for Older Adults
Some rare but potential risks for patients over the age of 65 include: Reactions At the Injection Site—Bruising, pain, and swelling around the injection site are the most common side effects of a Botox treatment.
If it's right for you, The Look of 3® is an opportunity to be treated in 3 areas, with 64 units, at least 3 times a year. For moderate to severe forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet in adults. *Treatments should be spaced 90 days apart.
1) Forehead
When too much Botox is used in the forehead, it can overly relax the muscles, leading to a lack of natural movement and expression. In severe cases, excessive Botox in the forehead can increase the heaviness of the upper eyelids, causing them to become hooded.
Tips to Speed up Your Botox Recovery Process
Below are 7 common mistakes you should avoid in order to get the best results.
The short answer is that both Dysport and Botox typically last about the same amount of time – approximately 3 to 4 months for most patients. However, individual experiences can vary significantly, and some patients do report differences in how long each product maintains its effectiveness.
Botox injections are relatively safe. Still, you shouldn't get this treatment if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have: Neuromuscular disease. Drooping eyelids (ptosis).
3. Later-Life Softening (60s and Beyond) There is no “age limit” for Botox®. In fact, many patients in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s experience transformative improvements when Botox® is incorporated into their non-surgical facial rejuvenation plans.
Botulinum toxin injections aren't the only Botox alternatives. You can also consider treatments such as retinoids, chemical peels, microneedling, and more. Dermal fillers are another alternative. This injectable treatment typically works immediately and lasts longer than Botox.
Gen Z is saying "no" or "not yet" to Botox due to a desire for natural beauty, individuality, and healthy aging, rejecting the overdone "Instagram Face," fearing irreversible damage, and prioritizing serious skincare and non-toxic alternatives over the costly, repetitive nature of injectables, despite social media pressure to do them. They're focused on "skinimalism," collagen support, and avoiding the potential for unnatural or frozen looks often seen online, opting for treatments that enhance rather than mask their natural features.
The "Botox 4-hour rule" means you should stay upright and avoid pressure or lying down for at least four hours after injections to prevent the neurotoxin from migrating from the treated muscles to unintended areas, which can cause side effects like drooping or uneven results. This helps the Botox settle precisely where it's needed for optimal wrinkle-smoothing effects, so avoid bending, rubbing, or strenuous activity during this critical period.
Some people are discouraged by the idea of getting injections because they think the effects do not last very long. But, studies have shown that taking zinc supplements will prolong Botox results! Keep reading to learn about what Botox is and how zinc supplements can make a difference in the injection results.
Stay Hydrated & Eat Well
It's essential to stay hydrated after Botox treatments, as dehydration can lead to a speedier return of fine lines. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is also a good rule of thumb to lengthen the time between Botox treatments.
The riskiest areas for Botox involve locations with crucial blood vessels and delicate muscles, primarily the glabella (between eyebrows) due to arteries that can cause blindness if blocked, the forehead/brow area risking eyelid droop (ptosis) or unnatural brow shapes, and the perioral region (mouth area), where poor placement can affect speech, smiles, or cause puckering. The masseter muscle (jaw) and neck (platysmal bands) are also sensitive, potentially causing chewing difficulty or swallowing issues with improper technique, requiring expertise to avoid complications like necrosis or paralysis.
Avoid Having Treatment the Day of a Big Event
It takes a few days for the results to become visible, and you might have minor bruising. If it is your first time having Botox, give yourself a buffer of about a week. If you have it regularly, give yourself three to four days.
If Botox isn't injected into the right place, depending on the face of the patient, it can cause eyebrows to wrinkle. In some cases, facial asymmetry is the main reason behind this. Having heavy foreheads because of excessive Botox can also cause wrinkles.
A good price to pay for Botox typically ranges from $10 to $20 per unit, but the total cost depends on how many units you need. Most people require 20 to 60 units for common treatment areas like forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines.
From 2025, following a landmark decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), new regulations for aesthetic injectables will ban nurses from prescribing botulinum toxin remotely face-to-face consultations will be mandatory before treatment.
You may need repeat treatments every 3-4 months to maintain your best results. We don't recommend treatments spaced more frequently than three months, or you could develop a resistance to the Botox's effects.