When it comes to anti-aging cosmetic treatments, botox tops the list, because it tackles those annoying lines across the forehead and around the eyes. One of the questions most frequently asked by people considering botox treatment is – How long does botox last. Knowing the answer to this question helps clients understand how often they need to get botox.
How botox works to reduce wrinkles
Botox, also known as botulinum toxin type A, is made from the clostridium botulinum bacterium. Botox is a safe, effective injectable treatment that is used for reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles occur as a result of the repetitive muscle movement related to expressions such as frowning and squinting, and include frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
Botox is a neuromodulator that works by temporarily interrupting the normal communication between the nerves and the muscles. It prevents the nerves from sending out signals, so the muscles are unable to contract and therefore stay relaxed. As a result, existing wrinkles become smoother within a few days, and new wrinkles don’t develop.
Only a tiny amount of botox is injected into the specific area being treated, and botox starts to take effect about 3-5 days after treatment. Consequently, treated areas such as frown lines and crow’s feet appear more relaxed. Full results can be seen within 12-14 days. Botox is a quick procedure that takes less than 10 minutes to complete, but the time may vary depending on the number of areas being targeted.
How long does botox last?
Botox lasts 3-4 months on average. However, first time uses may find that botox wears off even faster, as it may sometimes last for less than 3 months. On the other hand, patients notice that after continued use the effects of botox take longer to wear off. It seems that the muscle-relaxing effects last longer when botox is used for several years, so fewer treatments are needed in the long term.
Most patients notice that the lines and wrinkles that were treated with botox gradually become visible once again after about 3 months. However, there are several factors that can either extend or shorten the longevity of botox, including the following:
- Technique used: In order to achieve optimal results with botox, the drug must be injected using the right technique, and must be placed in the correct location. If botox is not administered using the prescribed method, the results are not likely to last as long as anticipated.
- Botox units: Specific units of botox are recommended for each facial area being treated. When these guidelines are followed patients will get optimal results, and botox should last for the expected time. However, if patients don’t receive the recommended number of units the muscles won’t relax as expected, so the results will wear off a lot quicker.
- Muscle strength. People that have strong muscles and heavy frown lines in the brow area typically find that the effects of botox lasts for a short period. In addition, there are patients that seem to break down botox a lot faster, so their results may start to wane within 2 months. These patients will need to have treatments more often.
How often should you do botox?
How often you should get botox really depends on your aesthetic goals. If you would like to keep your face wrinkle-free, you should book your next botox session as soon as you sense muscle movement returning to the treated areas. Once muscle movement restarts, it’s only a matter of time before the wrinkles reappear.
Patients should also be aware that with regular botox treatment dynamic wrinkles become less prominent, so fewer treatments may be needed in the long run.
In order to achieve optimal results with botox, patients are advised to consult with a highly experienced injector, preferably a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. An experienced injector will administer the correct number of units in the targeted areas, and this will ensure that the results look natural and last for the expected amount of time.
If you live in the Nashville, TN area, contact Image Surgical Arts for more information on botox.
Call 615-499-4224 today to arrange a consultation.