Botox is a drug injected into the skin tissues to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. This article explains what Botox is, how long does Botox last, tips to make Botox last longer and frequently asked questions.
Botox has become very popular in the world today. Most patients have been looking for ways to reduce creases and wrinkles on their faces as a sign of ageing or sun exposure. Botox has been used as a solution to these problems. Botulinum toxin is temporary, and it lasts four to six months. Patients should look for a cosmetic doctor to conduct the procedure for them. They should also take care of their treated area to make their effects last longer.
What Is Botox?
According to Satriyasa (2019), Botox is a cosmetic drug used by doctors to minimize facial creases and wrinkles. It is derived from clostridium botulinum bacteria. It weakens the muscles by blocking the signal nerves, reducing the creases and wrinkles. It is used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. When much toxin is used in the body, it may bring harm. A licenced cosmetic doctor will be able to determine the right units right for the patients.
How Long Does Botox Last?
Botox is temporary, and it can last between four to six months. However, this varies from patient to patient. Botulinum toxin may be used for medical purposes to reduce neck spasms or to treat migraines. When Botox is used for medical reasons, it works for a shorter time. It may last for 2 to 3 months. How long Botox lasts for cosmetic purposes depends on the number of Botox units injected and the location of the treatment. The depth of the wrinkle, the elasticity of the skin and the age also affect how long Botox lasts. When the effects wear off, patients are advised to go for an additional injection if they want to continue enhancing their effects. Regular use of Botox makes the effects last longer.Patients are advised to avoid taking frequent injections before the three months. They should wait until the Botox injection fades completely, that is, after six months, to avert the growth of resistance to Botox.
What Affects How Long Botox Will Last
Some factors affect how long Botox lasts and varies from patient to patient. According to Hok et al. (2021), the patient’s metabolism affects how long Botox lasts. Every patient’s body chemistry will metabolize botulinum toxin on its timeframe. However, for most patients, the effects last four to six months. According to Bukhari et al. (2018), wrinkles’ size and depth also affect how long the Botox lasts. Patients having fine lines, their effects last longer than those having bulky muscles or thick scowls. Patients who exercise daily observe that their botulinum toxin fades more rapidly. The area treated also determines how long Botox will last. For instance, the area between the eyebrows and forehead usually lasts the longest.
Tips to Make Botox Last Longer
There are tips that cosmetic doctors advise patients to practise to make their Botox last longer and enjoy a more youthful appearance.
When looking for a cosmetic doctor to conduct the treatment, patients should look for a well-skilled, experienced and qualified cosmetic doctor. How the treatment was conducted determines how long Botox lasts. A licenced doctor conducts the treatment correctly and uses a suitable number of Botox units for effective results. Too much Botox will result in complications and undesirable results. Patients should be very careful when selecting a cosmetic doctor. An unprofessional cosmetic doctor may inject Botox into the wrong place, leading to complications. The complications cannot make Botox long. However,patients will be forced to seek a cosmetic doctor for correction or another treatment.
Cosmetic doctors advise patients to stop exposing themselves to excessive sun rays. It results in premature ageing by disintegrating collagen production and destroying the skin cells. Botulinum toxin is unsuccessful against the lines and wrinkles triggered by sun damage since they don’t involve the movements of muscles. Patients should always put sun protection on their faces, hands and neck daily. They should also use superior broad-spectrum sunscreen and stop exposing themselves to harsh weather to uphold their results for longer.
Patients should also avoid excessive heat and active exercises for the first twenty-four hours. The exercises like yoga involve a lot of head movements. The movements may make Botox migrate and settle on the unintended region leading to drooping eyelids or uneven results. The exercises also result in high body temperatures, which makes patients sweat. Sweat increases the chances of infection since the bacteria can easily penetrate the treated area. Active activities also increase blood flow, worsening swelling in the treated area.
Patients should try to reduce their stress levels. Stress damagingly affects the body in several ways. It increases the signs of ageing and hastens the ageing process. Patients should lessen unnecessary stress to prolong the effects of their injection. A high-stress level speeds up the ageing process and breaks down Botox more rapidly. Theyshould avoid vaping, smoking and anything that comprise nicotine. It is because they facilitate collagen breakdown, destroy the skin cells and minimize the Botox treatment’s efficiency, making the toxin last for a short period. Vaping and smoking cause wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and mouth that upcoming injections cannot fix. Patients should avoid smoking to make their Botox last for a longer period.
According to Popescu et al. (2022), zinc supplements can help prolong the effects of Botox in the body. After Botox injection, patients are advised to take a zinc supplement to extend the anti-ageing effects.Patients should also eat well after the Botox injection. The diet patients take affects the health and appearance of the skin. They should avoid consuming packaged and processed foods and limit the quantity of salt and sugar in their diet. Patients should uphold a stable, healthy weight.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
What Should You Not Do After Botox?
There are some things that patients should stop doing after Botox injection. They should not massage, rub or wear makeup onthe injected region. The pressure applied on the treated area may cause the toxin to migrate and increase swelling and bruising. Patients should try to sleep on their backs and avoid taking alcohol for the next 24 hours.
How Long Can You Keep Having Botox?
Botulinum injections block the nerve signals that relax muscles to smooth out wrinkles and lines. It is temporary, and it lasts between 4 to 6 months. After this, patients can go for another treatment if they want to continue enjoying the effects of Botox.
Conclusion
Botox injection is not permanent as it lasts 4 to 6 months. The good thing is that patients can get additional treatment when the previous one wears off. Patients should look for a well-skilled, experienced and qualified cosmetic doctor. They should also take care of their Botox to make them stay longer and obtain optimal results. Patients should eat healthily, avoid exercise, avoid smoking and massage the treated area after the injection.
References
Bukhari, S. N. A., Roswandi, N. L., Waqas, M., Habib, H., Hussain, F., Khan, S., … & Hussain, Z. (2018). Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects. International journal of biological macromolecules, 120, 1682-1695.
Hok, P., Veverka, T., Hluštík, P., Nevrlý, M., & Kaňovský, P. (2021). The central effects of botulinum toxin in dystonia and spasticity. Toxins, 13(2), 155.
Popescu, M. N., Berteanu, M., Beiu, C., Popa, L. G., Mihai, M. M., Iliescu, M. G., … & Ionescu, A. M. (2022). Complementary Strategies to Promote Hair Regrowth in Post-COVID-19 Telogen Effluvium. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 15, 735.
Satriyasa, B. K. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 12, 223.
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