How Long Does Botox Take To Work?

Botulinum or Botox as it is more commonly known is a potent neurotoxin used to fight the signs of ageing and smooth wrinkles.

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Cher and Simon Cowell all admit to being fans of the worlds most popular non-surgical treatment. It is most commonly used on the forehead and around the eyes with other popular areas such around the lips, on the chin and neck areas.

Botox actually has many other uses besides cosmetology.  It is also widely used to treat excessive sweating and has been known to help in treating migraines and intense cramping.

Botox works by relaxing the muscles and preventing them from working at their full capacity by blocking muscle nerve transmissions to the brain.  As a result of this the brain can not respond and the muscles within the injected areas cannot move.

But how long does it take Botox to work?

Is it Permanent?

How long does Botox last for?

We will answer all these questions and more below.

How Long Does It Take Botox To Work?

Understandably, any patient having Botox for the first time eagerly anticipate seeing their results.

While most patients will notice a change within the first five days after having the injections, it may take up to two weeks for the results to become fully visible.  This delay is due to the fact that it takes time for the body to to start reacting to the  botulinum toxin.

If the wrinkles on your skin are particularly deep, it may take up to a year of botox treatments before the area starts to relax and look smoother.  In this case a dermal filler can also be used to help plump up the deep corrugations in the skin.

As many first time botox patients often undergo treatment to look their best for a big event such as their wedding it is advisable to plan your treatment at least two weeks before the special occasion so you can enjoy optimal results.

How Long Does Botox Last?

Botox is a temporary treatment and how long it lasts varies from patient to patient.

The effects of the botulinum toxin usually begin to wear off after 4 – 6 months.

Results tend to last longer after several treatments, this is due to the fact that the skin has more time to regenerate the collagen it needs to fill in the lines and wrinkles.

Certain elements which can also determine how long botox last post injection include:

• Dosage – Botox is typically injected by the unit. The more units used to relax the muscle, the longer the botox lasts.  First time users should avoid heavy dosages.
• Dilution – Botox must be diluted with saline prior to injections. Proper dilution will result in a safe and easy treatment with optimal results. If over diluted the effects wear off more quickly meaning that the patient does not receive the full benefit of the botox treatment.
• Muscle strength and size – Patients with strong facial muscles often fight against the botulinum toxin. Their effects may not be as long lasting as those with weak muscles and they are advised to have a follow up treatment in less than two months. Bulky muscles also metabolise the botox quicker than smaller muscles do. Botox injected into areas with larger muscles, such as the forehead tend to last shorter than areas such as crows feet. They tend to last around 3 months with the latter lasting around 4 or 5.
• Length of usage – If a patient has continually been using botox for a while their results will be longer lasting than those who has just had their first treatment. Many long-term patients can go as long as 9 months without needing a follow-up.
• Technicians experience – Going to an inexperienced technician can have severe consequence. For this reason it is always best to go an experienced practitioner such as Dr Awad at Pour Moi Cosmetic Clinic.
• Freshness of the Botox – Botox comes in a powder form and is then mixed with saline prior to treatment. Botox is at its most potent 24 hours after mixing.  Patients get the best results by going to practices where botox is used on a daily basis and when the botulinium solution hasn’t been left sitting. However the solution can be used for two weeks after the solution has been made.
• Your Metabolism – very fit people such as athletes and sports people metabolise botox at a faster rate therefore eliminating it from the body quicker.
• Your Age – Older patients with deeper wrinkling in their skins due to have less elasticity and collagen will often notice the botox wearing off quicker than those with younger skin.
• Medical Conditions – If botox is being used to treat excessive sweating or migraines it may need to be administered more regularly. Your technician or physician will determine a schedule depending on the condition you are treating.

How Will I Feel When The Botox Starts To Work

You should feel no discomfort or abnormal sensations once the botox begins to take effect.

However if too much botox has been injected into an area you may feel a slight heaviness at the site.

This is most common in the forehead due to the paralyzation of the frontalis muscle which runs along the forehead and is responsible for raising the eyebrows.

How Can I Make My Botox Last Longer?

There are a number of techniques said to increase the longevity of your botox treatments. These include:

• Zinc Supplements – The botulinum toxin belongs to a group of enzymes that are zinc dependent. A zinc and phytase called Zytase is said to increase optimal, long lasting results if taken for a number of days before the treatment.
• Retin – A wrinkle treatments – when used in conjunction with botox a topical retinoid cream can help decrease the need the need for top up treatments and can help minimise the need for additional units needed at your next treatment.
• Avoiding exercise immediately after treatment – Exercising directly after a botox injection means your body will metabolize the product before it has had adequate time to take effect. It is best to wait at least 24 hours after treatment so as the product has had time to affect the muscle and diffuse.
• Regular Treatments – Regular treatments yield longer lasting results. When you first have a botox treatment your muscles are at their strongest.Over time and with regular treatments your muscles will become weaker which will eventually lead to needing less units and less frequent visits.

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