How Long Does Botox Last?
Botox and related wrinkle relaxers are injectable substances that inhibits muscle movement. It can help treat certain health issues, however, it is primarily used as a cosmetic treatment to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Botox injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure nationwide. In 2016, over 7 million people had Botox treatments.
In this article, we describe what to expect during your Botox appointment, provide information about the effects and what you can expect, as well as other important considerations.
What Is Botox?
Botox and related wrinkle relaxers are injectable substances that inhibit muscle movement and are used cosmetically to treat wrinkles and lines. To be more precise, Botox is a purified form of clostridium botulinum bacteria. In far higher doses, botulinum toxin causes botulism. But in small doses, the neurotoxin targets the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction, effectively causing the muscles injected to weaken inducing temporary muscle paralysis.
In order for any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to contract or shorten.
Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting. In this way, the toxin helps the muscles to become less stiff.
There are actually several different brand-name injectable neuromodulators on the market including:
Botox® ()nabotulinumtoxin A).
Dysport® (Abobotulinumtoxin A).
Xeomin® (Incobotulinumtoxin A).
Jeauveau® (Prabotulinumtoxin A).
Daxxify® (Daxibotulinumtoxin A-lanm).
People casually use the term “Botox” to describe all of these products, though Botox is a registered trademark that one company owns.
People typically request the injections in the following areas of the face:
• wrinkles between the eyebrows, called frown lines, glabellar lines, or elevens
• wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow’s feet
• horizontal creases in the forehead
• lines at the corners of the mouth
• “cobblestone” skin on the chin
People typically use Botox to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, it is also used to treat certain health issues, such as:
• eyelid spasms
• drooping eyelids
• excessive drooling
• excessive sweating
• a weakened bladder
• cervical dystonia
• diabetic neuropathy
• chronic migraine
How Long Botox Last?
Botox treatments typically last 3–12 months. However, this may vary, depending on:
• the person’s age
• their sex
• their muscle mass
• the injection technique
• the dilution of the toxin
• the volume of the solution
• the positioning of the injection
• Some research indicates that having multiple Botox injections in the same area may increase the duration of the effects.
For a person hoping to make the effects of Botox last as long as possible, it is important to:
• Receive the injections from an experienced and certified medical practitioner who is well-versed in the most effective techniques.
• Follow aftercare guidance carefully.
When Does Botox Start Working?
Some people see results as little as 12 hours after the injection treatment is performed, however, the full effects will take at least 14 days.
A person may see the effects sooner if they practice certain facial exercises.
What To Expect During Your Botox Treatment
The Botox Treatment process as follows:
- First, a person attends a consultation to discuss your concerns, the treatment, the treatment options (including which wrinkle relaxer/s is/are right for you, to allow the provider to review your skin, and to let the provider know about any health issues or current medications.
- At the next appointment, the provider injects Botox into the desired sites, usually with a very thin needle.
- The number of injections depends on the desired results and the area involved.
- In most cases, the procedure is very quick.
- Some providers offer a follow-up appointment to check that the area is healing well.
The provider should recommend aftercare techniques, which may include:
- not lying down for 4 hours after the treatment
- not massaging or applying heat to the area for 24 hours
- avoiding heavy exercise for 24 hours
- avoiding alcohol consumption for 24 hours
The aim of these strategies is to prevent the Botox from spreading to other areas and to keep it from thinning the blood.
Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers may seem similar at first glance, but they are actually completely different.
Again, Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily blocks specific chemical signals from nerves that cause muscle contractions, effectively causing the muscles injected to weaken thereby effectively relaxing wrinkles.
On the other hand, dermal fillers are effectively liquid implants that are injected into your skin (not your muscles) to plump and smooth your facial features. Different brands of fillers use different synthetic materials, from hyaluronic acid to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). How long the filler lasts depends on what material your provider uses.
When to Get Botox and When to Get Filler?
Botox and facial fillers are designed to do two different things, to understand the difference, you should know that there are two main types of facial wrinkles:
- Dynamic wrinkles are caused by muscle activity seen with motion (think crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes or the lines on your forehead when you raise your eyebrows). These types of wrinkles are from facial movement.
- Static wrinkles are lines or folds that can be seen when the face is relaxed (think laugh lines). These types of wrinkles are from the skin losing elasticity and collagen as we age.
Dynamic wrinkles are best treated with Botox or other neuromodulators. The three most common treatment areas are in the upper face around the eyes, between the brows, and the forehead.
Static wrinkles are often treated with both Botox and other neuromodulators, as well as dermal fillers. In these cases, neuromodulators like Botox treat the underlying muscle, while the fillers treat the lines at rest.
Dermal fillers are also used to treat volume loss in the lower face (like cheeks and smile lines). They can also be used to add fullness, like in sunken cheek bones or to plump up the lips.
In Summary
In summary, Botox is the trade name of Botulinum toxin. People typically use it for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles but it can also help treat certain health issues.
The effects of cosmetic Botox usually last 3–12 months, though a range of factors can influence this, including the person’s age, the location of the injection, and the injection technique.
PLEIJ Salon + Spa offers a range of injectable and facial filler services to address the complete range of skin-related concerns. We invite you to schedule a skin analysis and consultation appointment. During this service we will assess your skin’s precise condition, taking note of lifestyle factors to help us create a customized treatment program for your personal skin care needs.
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