Botox treatment is FDA approved to temporarily improve the appearance of dynamic facial wrinkles and fine lines, such as glabellar vertical lines, horizontal forehead lines. When botox is injected to the targeted facial muscles and blocks signals, thus causing them to relax. Ultimately, this reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, leaving a smooth, youthful appearance. However, there are several factors that can affect botox result, such as how effective the treatment will be and how long it will last.
Contents
How Long Can Botox Last?
In general, Botox lasts 3-6 months.
There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter period, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long and effects wear out faster initially, but may last longer after the second treatment.
Onset of full effects may take one to two weeks.
Everyone has a unique experience and results may vary.
Factors affecting the efficacy of botox injection
Your muscle characteristics
Most patients with particularly thick facial muscles will require more botox treatments to achieve desired effect. This is because thicker muscles are more difficult to affect with injections. More injections are administered to ensure that the same safety standards are met.
Botox and other neuromodulators wear off fastest in the muscles that are used most frequently. Also, the bigger the muscle, the faster you will see the effects diminish.
Your lifestyle
The amount of physical activity you participate can affect botox results. Athletes may notice that their results from botox treatments last only limited time. This is because an athlete’s metabolism runs at a much higher rate than more sedentary people. Physically active bodies tend to heal faster and will eliminate botox from their body faster.
Age
Older patients, in most cases, will notice a shorter duration of results (two to three months) than younger ones. The quality of the skin plays a part. Less collagen and elasticity, as well as prominent or deeper lines (which are common in older patient) translate to a faster reappearance of lines and wrinkles, such as frown lines and forehead lines.
Frequency of Treatments
It is common for patient to experience better or longer botox result after undergoing multiple injections. A second or third session may also result in a better response to the treatment and a longer duration of results. Your aesthetic doctor will discuss with you how frequent you can receive clostridium botulinum safely.
Dosage
Longer results are expected with higher doses of botox than a lesser amount. This is also why it is common for patient to notice longer effects with multiple botox injections. Many doctors, however, inject conservative amount among first-timers. The dosage may be increased over time, as the injector learns more about the amount of botulinum toxin the patient can tolerate.
7 Tips for Botox Injection To Last Longer
1. Use skin moisturizers
Moisturizers containing collagen and hyaluronic acid can keep your skin plumper and healthy and reducing how quickly it breaks down the botox within your facial muscle.
2. Manage stress levels
Stress negatively affects your body in many ways, accelerates the aging process and rapidly enhances common signs of aging. To extend the benefits of botox injections, try to reduce unnecessary stress-inducers from your life while incorporating stress relief techniques like meditation or yoga.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water is good for your skin. Water helps to flush out those unseen impurities that the environment creates in your body. Excellent long-term botox results are only possible when you have healthy skin.
4. Avoid Vigorous Workouts
High intensity workouts are designed to boost your metabolism in order to burn calories and build muscle faster. By raising your metabolic rate, your body may metabolize botox faster so it breaks down sooner than expected.
This does not mean you should not exercise or do intensive workouts, just integrate lower to moderate training into your workouts.
5. Avoid direct sun exposure
Sun damage lead to premature aging by breaking down collagen and damaging skin cells deep within the dermal layers. Botox is ineffective against wrinkles and fine lines caused by sun damage as they aren’t caused by muscle movements. On top of this, sun damage causes an inflammatory response within the cells which can also break down botox, reducing its effectiveness and minimizing its lifespan.
6. Avoid Smoking
Smoking, vaping, anything with nicotine causes break down of collagen, damages skin cells, and reduces the effectiveness of botulinum toxin. This causes the original dynamic wrinkles appear faster.
7. Take Zinc Supplements
Some studies have shown that the effects of botox are linked to Zinc levels within the body. Many individuals tend to have a slight zinc deficiency. Take zinc supplement regularly after botox treatment might help to prolong the anti-aging effects.
Do continuous use of botox injections affect duration?
If doing botox injections regularly, the effects last for longer periods of time with each use. Botox paralyzes the muscles so you can’t use them. If they are used less, they slowly lose their muscle memory. This means that you may need fewer botox treatments over time to get the same effect.
Conclusion
Botox last about three to five months for most people, but is the best to schedule your next appointment to receive botox on the early end to catch those nerves before they’re able to refire their muscle-contacting signals.
Always discuss with your doctor during consultation and botox injections to avoid complications and maximize the results. Botox is minimally invasive solutions and safe for cosmetic purposes. Botox does not result in any adverse side effects from clinical trials and peer reviewed studies. Side effects are mainly minor and rarely occur in most clients, such as mild swelling, mild pinkish of the skin and pink prick needle mark on the skin.
