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Dermal Fillers

How Long Does Botox Last?

Botulinum toxin treatments are done beneath the skin tissues to eliminate wrinkles. However, the treatment results vary from one patient to the other. This article highlights how long botulinum toxin treatments last, including what botox are, why clients go for them, and factors affecting the longevity of botulinum toxin treatments.

Customers go for botulinum toxin treatments for various reasons. The anti-wrinkle treatment has gained popularity in the cosmetic procedures world. Clients can use botulinum toxin injections to reduce wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscles. The muscle tightens, alleviating wrinkles and fine lines. However, botulinum toxin treatments can also be used for medical purposes, such as reducing chronic migraines and treating cervical dystonia. The results of botulinum toxin treatments vary from one client to the other due to various factors, such as metabolism.

How Long DoBotulinum Toxin Injections Last?

Botulinum toxin injections are done for cosmetic and medical use. However, the duration of the injections’ results in the body varies from one client to the other. Milosheska&Roškar (2022) showed that some customers could metabolize the anti-wrinkle treatment results in 3-4 months, while others can take a lesser period. Various factors, such as age and metabolic rate, can impact botulinum toxin treatments’ longevity. Frequent botox injections can impact the duration in which the results of the treatment last.

Clients should go for top-up treatments when wrinkles form again or after three months of the previous injections. Frequent use of botulinum toxin treatments can make clientsresistant to the injection. The dosage of the botulinum toxin treatment and the injected area can impact the longevity of results.

What Is Botulinum Toxin Injection?

Rizzi et al. (2021) showed that botulinum toxin injections, also known as anti-wrinkle treatment, reduce wrinkles and restore volume to sagging skin by blocking the nerve signals communicating with the muscles. Kim et al. (2021) suggested that anti-wrinkle injection is done beneath the skin’s tissues. When injected, the muscles are tightened and relaxed, eliminating wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin injections can be done for medical purposes. According to Kwon et al. (2019), patients can go for anti-wrinkle treatment to ease conditions such as neck spasms, chronic migraines, and overactive bladder. Botulinum toxin injections should be done by a qualified cosmetic doctor or an aesthetic practitioner. According to Datta Gupta et al. (2019), wrong botulinum toxin injections can cause adverse complications to customers, like blindness. Patients should inform a cosmetic doctor about any allergic reactions. Failure to do so may experience a complication if patients are allergic to the constituents of the injection.

Reasons for Botulinum Toxin Injections

Decates et al. (2022) noted that customers use botulinum toxin injections to eliminate wrinkles. However, the anti-wrinkle treatment can also be used to deal with other medical issues, such as;

Neck Spasm

Neck spasmisa condition wherebypatients experience involuntary neck contractions. A neck painfully twists or turns in an uncomfortable manner.Nicol et al.  (2014) stated that neck spasms, also known as cervical dystonia, can be corrected using botulinum toxin injections. The study above also claimed that the anti-wrinkle treatment could relax the muscles that cause movement.

Chronic Migraine

Diener et al. (2015)stated that a customer might suffer from chronic migraines when experiencing more than 15 headaches in a month.Kępczyńska&Domitrz (2022) claimed that botulinum toxin injections could help reduce the frequency of headaches.

Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder can lead to urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and urgency to pee. Certain medicines and nerve damage can cause these conditions. An overactive bladder can lead to stress, making one unproductive. According to ng to Chen &Kuo(2020), botulinum toxin treatments can alleviate the symptoms of an overactive bladder.

Factors Affecting the Longevity of Botox

The longevity of botulinum toxin treatments varies from one client to the other. Factors affecting the longevity of botulinum toxin injections include;

Exposure to UV Rays

Excessive exposure to UV rays can deteriorate the anti-wrinkle treatment. The UV rays can inhibit the formation of wrinkles, breaking down botulinum toxin injections. Patients should wear SPF or sunscreen when stepping out in the sun.

Smoking

Smoking can break down collagen, leading to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen is a vital protein found naturally in the body,providing support and structure to skin and muscles. When broken down, the skin sags, leading to the formation of wrinkles. Kuo et al. (2018) suggested that alcohol can also minimize the effectiveness of botulinum toxin treatments. Avoiding alcohol can make the anti-wrinkle treatment results last longer.

Strenuous Exercises

Exercises are essential for a healthy lifestyle. However, heavy activities and exercises can impact botulinum toxin treatment. Strenuous activities and exercises can contract the blood vessels, increasing the rate at which the treatment fades off.

Stress

Stress can make patients have various facial expressions, such as frowning. Therefore, botulinum toxin injections done on the forehead can be affectedby stress. Naik (2021) showed that applying pressure to muscles relaxed by botulinum toxin injections can make the results wear off quickly. Also, increased cortisol production can break down the anti-wrinkle treatment, reducing the longevity of the injections. According to Lee et al. (2015), an increase in stress levels triggers cortisol hormones.

Metabolic Rate

Clients have varying metabolic rates, impacting botulinum toxin treatments’ longevity. Bertossi et al. (2019) noted that patients metabolize the anti-wrinkle treatment in 3-4 months. Picelli et al. (2019) discovered that an increased metabolic rate could quickly break down the botulinum toxin injections.

Dosage

The dosage administered during the anti-wrinkle treatment can impact the longevity of the injection. A low dosage of botulinum toxin injection can lead to a shorter treatment period on the skin. High dosage may lead to a longer period of the injections’ results.

Frequently Asked Questions about Botulinum Toxin Injections

Is Botulinum Toxin Treatment Safe?

Botulinum toxin treatments are safe. The procedure is non-surgical. Patients should seek treatment from a qualified aesthetic practitioner to avoid adverse side effects, such as swelling. Patients should follow the aftercare guidelines given by a cosmetic doctor.

Does Botox Hurt?

Botulinum toxin treatments do not hurt. Before the procedure, an aesthetic practitioner applies a numbing cream or nerve block. Clients can feel some discomfort during the procedure.

Conclusion

Botulinum toxin injections are safe procedures done beneath the skin’s tissues to eliminate wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscles. However, it can be used for medical purposes, such as treating neck spasms. Botulinum toxin treatment results vary from one client to the other, depending on various factors, such as metabolic rate and exposure to UV rays. Clients are advised to follow the aftercare guidelines given by their cosmetic doctors to prolong the longevity of the treatments.

References

Bertossi, D., Giampaoli, G., Lucchese, A., Manuelli, M., Albanese, M., Nocini, R., &Nocini, P. F. (2019). The Skin Rejuvenation Associated Treatment—Fraxel Laser, Microbotox, And Low G Prime Hyaluronic Acid: Preliminary Results. Lasers In Medical Science, 34(7), 1449-1455.

Chen, J. L., &Kuo, H. C. (2020). Clinical Application Of Intravesical Botulinum Toxin Type A For Overactive Bladder And Interstitial Cystitis. Investigative And Clinical Urology, 61(Suppl 1), S33-S42.

Decates, T. S., Domingues, C. T., Mozafari, N. A., &Velthuis, P. J. (2022). Negative Emotional Impact Following Botulinum Toxin Treatment For Crow’s Feet Lines. JEADV Clinical Practice, 1(3), 268-270.

Diener, H. C., Solbach, K., Holle, D., & Gaul, C. (2015). Integrated Care For Chronic Migraine Patients: Epidemiology, Burden, Diagnosis And Treatment Options. Clinical Medicine, 15(4), 344.

Kępczyńska, K., &Domitrz, I. (2022). Botulinum Toxin—A Current Place In The Treatment Of Chronic Migraine And Other Primary Headaches. Toxins, 14(9), 619.

Kim, M. J., Kim, J. H., Cheon, H. I., Hur, M. S., Han, S. H., Lee, Y. W., … &Ahn, K. J. (2019). Assessment Of Skin Physiology Change And Safety After Intradermal Injections With Botulinum Toxin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Split-Face Pilot Study In Rosacea Patients With Facial Erythema. Dermatologic Surgery, 45(9), 1155-1162.

Kuo, C. L., & Hu, G. C. (2018). Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Review Of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, And Treatments. International Journal Of Gerontology, 12(4), 280-284.

Kwon, K. H., Shin, K. S., Yeon, S. H., & Kwon, D. G. (2019). Application Of Botulinum Toxin In Maxillofacial Field: Part I. Bruxism And Square Jaw. Maxillofacial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, 41(1), 1-13.

Lee, D. Y., Kim, E., & Choi, M. H. (2015). Technical And Clinical Aspects Of Cortisol As A Biochemical Marker Of Chronic Stress. BMB Reports, 48(4), 209-216.

Naik, P. P. (2021). Utilities Of Botulinum Toxins In Dermatology And Cosmetology. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 14, 1319.

Nicol, A. L., Wu, I. I., & Ferrante, F. M. (2014). Botulinum Toxin Types A Injections For Cervical And Shoulder Girdle Myofascial Pain Using An Enriched Protocol Design. Anesthesia And Analgesia, 118(6), 1326.

Picelli, A., Santamato, A., Chemello, E., Cinone, N., Cisari, C., Gandolfi, M., … &Baricich, A. (2019). Adjuvant Treatments Associated With Botulinum Toxin Injection For Managing Spasticity: An Overview Of The Literature. Annals Of Physical And Rehabilitation Medicine, 62(4), 291-296.

Charlotte Cremers
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