Myths and Truths:
How Long Does Botox Last?
Botox injections may be the most well-known procedure to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For many people, this quick and simple treatment is the key to keeping their skin youthful looking for longer.
Botox was first approved by the FDA for therapeutic use in the late 1980s, then for cosmetic use in the early 2000s—so it’s been around a while. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem to be going out of style, even with the constant development of new anti-aging technologies.
Reports like this one by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicate that Botox is the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the US, with over 4.4 million applications performed in 2020 (and even more in non-pandemic years). The use of Botox among 20 to 29-year-olds, known as preventative Botox, also increased throughout the last decade.
In this post, we’ll go over some Botox basics for newbies and, of course, answer the question that anyone considering getting Botox has: how long does Botox actually last?
What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable medication that blocks the nerve signals that cause your muscles to contract. It’s derived from botulinum toxin type-A. The small, targeted doses used in cosmetic applications have been considered safe for many years now, and side effects resulting from cosmetic Botox injections are very rare.
Where can Botox be used?
Botox can be used to reduce the appearance of any wrinkles or fine lines on your face which are the result of your facial expressions—that includes forehead creases, frown lines between the eyebrows and “crow’s feet.” Since it works by relaxing your muscles, Botox is not an effective remedy for wrinkles caused by sun damage (there are other treatments for those).
How Long Does Botox Last?
We’d love to be able to tell you that all you need is one Botox injection to look young forever, but beauty requires maintenance. The effects of Botox generally last between three and four months. In the next section, we’ll go over the different factors that affect how long Botox lasts.
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Age:
It’s worth noting that the science is not yet clear on how, exactly, a person’s age might affect the duration of the effects of a Botox injection. But there does seem to be consensus around the fact that mature skin is at least slightly more likely to lose the benefit of Botox within a shorter time frame. -
Previous Botox use:
Here’s some good news: scientific studies such as this one indicate that Botox application may actually help extend the duration of the effects of subsequent doses. So, if you got Botox once and were disappointed to notice those fine lines coming back after only three months, you might find that your skin stays smoother for longer if you decide to give it another try. -
Application precision:
Another factor that can influence how long Botox lasts has to do with the skill and experience of the medical professional that administers it. The drug needs to reach the nerves that trigger the muscle contractions that are causing the wrinkle. If the practitioner doesn’t inject the precise spot, the efficacy and the duration of the treatment will be negatively affected.
How to make Botox last longer
As we explained, some factors affecting the duration of the effects of Botox are out of one’s control (and not entirely understood). But there are some things you can do to help get the most out of an injection.
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Wait to work out:
If you get a Botox injection, your practitioner will probably recommend that you hold off on strenuous activities for 24 hours, or maybe even longer. While getting your heart rate up is normally a healthy thing to do, the increased blood flow can actually cause Botox to metabolize too quickly or migrate to other parts of your body. -
Get enough zinc in your diet:
Some studies, such as this one, suggest that dietary zinc may play an important role in extending the effects of Botox. However, you should always consult with your practitioner before starting a supplement regimen.
After getting a Botox injection, your medical provider should give you detailed instructions for aftercare, which will probably also include avoiding hats, laying down within a four hour timeframe and not applying constant pressure to the treated area.
At Complexion Med Spa & Aesthetics, we believe that Botox injections are a powerful treatment to have in your anti-aging toolkit. To ensure the efficacy and—more importantly, safety—of the procedure, it should always be performed by experienced medical professionals, like the ones who make up our team.
If you want to schedule an appointment or just have some unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our webpage. You can also email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (252) 773-0841.
