Aging is a beautiful process, it brings wisdom and experience to you but sadly aging also brings unwanted lines and wrinkles. That’s when the decision of taking botox happens, and now you become a bandwagon of your friends taking botox.
How long does Botox last? This question arises in everybody’s mind before taking botox. Before moving to answer, let’s first know what botox is.
Botox cosmetic is a popular non-invasive cosmetic treatment across the globe. It primarily reduces facial wrinkles to maintain a youthful appearance.
In 2022 over 7.4 million people in the U.S. took botox, and the number goes even higher globally. The global market for botox cosmetics is more than 5.7 billion.
1. What is Botox?
Botox is the term you generally hear, but botox (deriving from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum) is the name of the first brand to introduce injectable Bolulin toxin.
The bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) found in nature produces neurotoxin -Botulinum toxin-type A bacteria, this neurotoxin is deadly. If this bacteria is correctly harvested it can be used in cosmetics and medicine.
Though the term neurotoxin sounds scary, it is completely safe. Botox is FDA-approved and used for several cosmetic purposes.
However, Botulinum toxin in small doses is used to treat other health issues like chronic migraine, overactive bladder, over-sweating, muscle stiffness/spasms, and treating eye disorders.
2. How does Botox Work?
The facial wrinkles appear due to repeated contraction of facial muscles, over time it gives rise to muscle atrophy (weaker muscles) or muscle plates. Botox cosmetic is temporarily used to reduce wrinkles on facial skin.
Botulinum toxin when injected blocks the nerve impulses that control muscle contractions, which denervates or paralyzes local muscle movement. Muscle relaxation gives you a more relaxed youthful appearance.
3. How Long does Botox Last?
I wish the botox magic lasted indefinitely, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Research suggests that the botox cosmetic effect lasts for four to six months for most patients. However, the effect of botox injections for first-timers lasts for two to three months.
It is usual for first-timers to last the effect for a shorter period, as the muscle shrinks after every treatment, and so the period of effectiveness increases after the second time. Also botox injections in the same place multiple times give long-lasting results.
This means you will need fewer botox treatments to get the desired outcome.
The botulinum toxin blocks signals from the nerve as soon it is injected into your skin. Usually, the onset of botox cosmetics starts 2 days after injection. In some cases, it may take 1 week or 1 month to see the results.
It takes one to two weeks to obtain desired results. So, if you wish to take botox treatment for a particular occasion it is recommended to take it two weeks before the event.
4. Why do we Need Regular Botox Treatment?
The injected botulinum toxins wear off gradually, and neurotransmitters in charge of muscle contraction regain the signals, thus contracting the muscles again. And unfortunately, it results in bringing back the old lines and wrinkles.
5. Factors Affecting the Longevity of Botox Treatment
How long does Botox last? well, it depends from person to person. Here are key parameters affecting the longevity of botox treatments –
- Age
- Muscle mass
- Dilution of botulin
- Volume of injections
- Positioning of injection
- Wrinkle depth
- Person Metabolism
6. How Frequently Should You Take Botox
The duration between the two sessions should not be too long or too short. Doctors expect the effect to last for 3-4 months.
Book the follow-up appointment within this time frame. Remember muscle recovery takes time so no need to rush.
However, too frequent sessions make facial muscles resistant to the drug, and hence botox becomes less effective.
Also, a longer duration between the two sessions let’s say more than 6 months, causes muscles to contract to bring back the old wrinkles again.
7. Tips to Increase the Botox Results to Last Longer
The period of botox lasting is not in our hands, but increasing the longevity of botox is in our hands. Below steps help to increase botox longevity.
7.1. Avoid Intense/Stressful Exercise
Don’t do strenuous exercise 48 hours after you receive botox, such activities flush your skin altering the production of botulinum within the nerves.
7.2. Reduce Stress Levels
The stress alone can strain the muscles that were targeted to relax by botox. It causes the effects of botox injection to wear off more quickly, stress also leads to cellular-level damage.
7.3. Zinc Supplement
Zinc is known to boost botox. According to the study the people who took oral dietary zinc supplements 4 days before botulinum toxin injections showed increased effectiveness of botox treatment in 93 percent of patients tested at The Methodist Hospital in Houston.
7.4. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure or Tanning Beds
Like exercise, UV rays also cause skin flushing, increasing facial blood circulation. This enables the drug molecules to spread at a faster rate and run away from the targetted area.
So, avoid the sun and make sunscreens your best friend, you can also use hats and scarves for sun protection.
7.5. Follow the Skincare Routine
Skincare routine for example regular moisturizing will help you with fine lines and improve skin appearance. For antiaging use moisturizer containing collagen and retinol.
7.6. Healthy Diet
To make your botox last for longer periods doctor recommends having a healthy diet. Eat antioxidant-rich food like Kale, spinach, blueberries, and beetroot for longer-lasting botox results.
8. Most Common Botox Treatment Area
The most common area of the face includes the area around the eyes (crow’s feet), the area between the eyebrows, and the forehead. Generally, finer lines show faster results.
For instance, the area around the eyes shows faster results than the area between the eyebrows.
Moreover, deep wrinkles, which include horizontal forehead lines take a longer duration to see results.
How long does Botox last? the answer also depends upon the concentration of botulinum toxin.
The larger muscles (forehead wrinkles) receiving fewer botox units take longer periods than the smaller muscles (weak muscles) with more botox units to see results.
9. Side Effects-
Botox treatment is safe, the side effects are very rare. Some temporary side effects may occur, but they will go away.
Visit the doctor if the side- effects don’t go. Note some common side effects of botox-
- Headaches
- Stomach upsets
- Flu-like symptoms
- Neck pain
- Temporary Droppy eyes
- Eye irritation
Final Note
The results of botox treatment ordinarily last for four to six months.
The effects of botox treatment for first-timers may last for two months. You require fewer botox treatments after 2nd botox injection.
It usually takes 2 days to see the result of botox cosmetics. For long-lasting results follow these tips-
- Take zinc supplement
- Avoid sun exposure
- Skincare routine
- Reduce stress levels
- Avoid intense physical workouts for 24 hours after botox injections.
FAQ’s
1. Is botox injection harmful in the long term?
Botox does not have any life-threatening effect on the body, studying medical history, the right dosage, and technique can reduce the possible complexities.
2. Who should take a botox injection?
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and patients with neuromuscular and neurological disorders should not take botox.
3. At what age should I do Botox?
Later 20s and early 30s is the right age for botox to preventive botox treatments.
