Botulinum toxin injections last 4-6 months, although patients should follow some tips to increase longevity. This article explains botox, tips for increasing longevity, and frequently asked questions about botulinum toxin injections.
Botox has gained popularity in the recent world due to its potential benefits. Many clients choose botulinum toxin treatment to reduce signs of aging,such as wrinkles and creases in their faces. Botulinum toxin treatmentsmake facial muscles weak and accountable for dynamic wrinkles. It is not a permanent treatment. Its effects last between four to six months. Although their effects do not last that long, there are tips that patients should follow to increase their longevity. Cosmetic doctors advise clients to care for their treated area for faster healing and longer-lasting effects.
What Is Botox?
According to Brin et al. (2014),botulinum toxin injection is a drug derived from a clostridium botulinum bacterium. It has medical and cosmetic uses when used in small amounts. According to Bach &Simman (2022),botox is used medically to treat migraines, overactive bladder, crossed eyes, excessive sweating, and neck spasms. The study above suggested that it relaxes the facial muscles, reducing the appearance of facial creases and wrinkles.
How to Make Botox Last Longer
Flemban&Elsayed (2018) claimed that botulinum toxin injections last between 4-6 months. Cosmetic doctors provide clients with the guidelines after the procedure for taking care of botulinum toxin treatment to make them last longer. Below are some tips patients should follow after the botulinum toxin treatment
Eating Healthy
Patients should ensure they eat a proper diet since it affects skin appearance. After receiving botulinum toxin injections, patients should change their diet and avoid processed and packaged foods. They should avoid taking foods with a lot of sugar and salt. Chang et al. (2020) discovered that extreme weight loss reduces the longevity and effectiveness of Botox injections, especially in the face. Bjørklund et al. (2022) indicated that consuming Zinc supplements can increase the longevity of botulinum toxin injections. However, there is not enough information to support the safety and efficacy of this measure.
Staying Hydrated
Patients should keep their bodies hydrated by drinking a lot of water, making the skin moisturized. Water helps in flushing out unnoticed contaminants in the body. This helps patients to extend the longevity of their botulinum toxin treatments. Hydration enhances the revitalizing outcome of hyaluronic acid. This is an element found naturally in the skin and other body parts and reduces with aging. Attracts and holds water molecules moistening the skin.
Avoid Stress
Patients should avoid stress after botulinum toxin treatment. According to Santana & Liu (2021),stress is more likely to deteriorate the long-term effects of Botox injection. When patients are highly stressed, stress hormones like cortisol are released. This may cause inflammation and accelerate the aging process. Patients should consider working on several stress relief methods like yoga and meditation to prolong the life of botulinum toxin treatment.
Avoid Sun’s Rays after Botox Treatment
Clients should avoid exposing themselves to excessive sun rays to extend the life of Botox injections. The sun’s rays increase the signs of aging and may trigger reddening by opening the facial blood vessels and increasing the blood flow in the facial muscles. This makes Botox disband more rapidly, devastating the injection by minimizing the absorption of drugs in the nerve endings. Patients can, however, protect themselves from the sun rays by wearing sunscreen or a wide-brimmed hat. These guidelines make botox treatment last longer and protect their skin from the early signs of aging.
Avoid Frequent Botulinum Toxin Treatments
Patients should also avoid receiving botulinum toxin treatments more frequently. While it is crucial to schedule consistent injections, receiving multiple sessions more often is not recommended. This is because it rises the risks of emerging antibodies to the drug. Besides, it makes patients disposed to scarring and muscle or nerve dysfunction, causing facial aging.Chirico et al. (2021) claimed that regular botox injections could disclose the facial muscleswitha drug. When patients find themselves needing more often sessions, it could be an indication of the formation of antibodies and resistance to drugs. Clients should consult their cosmetic doctor immediately when they experience this. Patients should avoid frequent appointments and do touch-ups when appropriate to make the effects last longer.
According to Moin& Irfan (2019), the effects of botulinum toxin injections last longer when used with a good skincare routine. Patients may begin with moisturizing and gentle cleansing twice each day. The first flushes out the contaminants, speeding up the aging process. It improves the protective barrier function and skin glow.
Avoid Vaping and Smoking
Cosmetic doctors advise patients to stop vaping and smoking after anti-wrinkle treatments. Sanan & Most (2018) claimed that vaping and smoking could interfere with the effects of botulinum toxin treatment since this act uses muscles within the lips to form wrinkles and create smoke lines. They release nicotine that narrows the blood vessels. This minimizes the flow of nutrients, oxygen, and water to the skin. This reduction contributes to premature aging, collagen loss, and delayed healing. According to Lephart (2018), some cigarette chemicals can minimize collagen production and speed up skin protein breakdown.
Avoid Abrasive Products
Patients are advised to stop using abrasive products after receiving botulinum toxin treatment. Some clients use abrasive products together with injections. However, cosmetic doctors suggest that patients refrain from facial toners, scrubs, masks, and cleansers for a week after the treatment. Bussadori et al. (2020) claimed that abrasive products could not make botulinum toxin treatments degrade. It may not function appropriately on the facial muscles. Patients should avoid abrasive products to make Botox last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
Can You Accidentally Move Botox?
Patients may be tempted to massage, rub or apply makeup on the injected site. This can trigger the migration of botulinum toxin injections to the surrounding muscles. This leads to undesired results and may cause complications. Cosmetic doctors advise clients to avoid applying pressure on the treated area before it fully settles.
Can I Sleep on My Face After Receiving Botox?
Cosmetic doctors advise clients to avoid sleeping on their faces immediately after receiving the injection. They can, however, sleep on their back after the treatment. This is because it can make botulinum toxin injections migrate to surrounding facial muscles leading to uneven results. It also increases swelling and bruising in the treated area.
Conclusion
Botox is not permanent; they last four to six months. Patients can increase their longevity by taking care of the treatment. They should hydrate to facilitate the healing process and make them last longer. Eating healthy, avoiding stress, vaping, smoking, and abrasive products may make botulinum toxin treatments last longer. However, when looking for a cosmetic doctor to perform the treatment, patients should look for one who is skilled, experienced, and qualified. The cosmetic doctor also contributes to how long the botulinum toxin injections will last.
References
Bach, K., &Simman, R. (2022). The Multispecialty Toxin: A Literature Review Of Botulinum Toxin. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 10(4).
Bjørklund, G., Shanaida, M., Lysiuk, R., Butnariu, M., Peana, M., Sarac, I., … & Chirumbolo, S. (2022). Natural Compounds And Products From An Anti-Aging Perspective. Molecules, 27(20), 7084.
Brin, M. F., James, C., &Maltman, J. (2014). Botulinum Toxin Type A Products Are Not Interchangeable: A Review Of The Evidence. Biologics: Targets & Therapy, 8, 227.
Bussadori, S. K., Motta, L. J., Horliana, A. C. R. T., Santos, E. M., &Martimbianco, A. L. C. (2020). The Current Trend In Management Of Bruxism And Chronic Pain: An Overview Of Systematic Reviews. Journal Of Pain Research, 13, 2413.
Chang, P. C., Jhou, H. J., Chen, P. H., Huang, C. K., Chiang, H. H., Chen, K. H., & Chang, T. W. (2020). Intragastric Botulinum Toxin A Injection Is An Effective Obesity Therapy For Patients With BMI> 40 Kg/M2: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Obesity Surgery, 30(10), 4081-4090.
Chirico, F., Colella, G., Cortese, A., Bove, P., Fragola, R., Rugge, L., … &Tartaro, G. (2021). Non-Surgical Touch-Up With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Following Facial Reconstructive Surgery. Applied Sciences, 11(16), 7507.
Lephart, E. D. (2018). Equol’s Anti-Ageing Effects Protect Against Environmental Assaults By Increasing Skin Antioxidant Defense And ECM Proteins While Decreasing Oxidative Stress And Inflammation. Cosmetics, 5(1), 16.
Moin, M., & Irfan, A. (2019). Efficacy Of EMLA Cream In Pain Reduction During Botulinum Toxin Injections For Facial Dystonias. Pakistan Journal Of Ophthalmology, 34(2).
Sanan, A., & Most, S. P. (2018). Rhytidectomy (Face-Lift Surgery). JAMA, 320(22), 2387-2387.
Santana, L., & Liu, C. (2021). Experience Of Botulinum Toxin A Injections For Chronic Migraine Headaches In A Pediatric Chronic Pain Clinic. The Journal Of Pediatric Pharmacology And Therapeutics, 26(2), 151-156.
Yadav, S., Chand, S., Majumdar, R., & Sud, A. (2020). Effect Of Botulinum Toxin Type-A In Spasticity And Functional Outcome Of Upper Limbs In Cerebral Palsy. Journal Of Clinical OrthopaedicsAnd Trauma, 11(2), 208-212.
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