Botox treatmentsare done mainly to get rid of wrinkles. This article discusses how long it takes after injection for Botox to start working, factors affecting Botox longevity and how the body feels when Botox starts working.
Botox is a drug used to relax facial muscles temporarily. This helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles on the areas being injected. Botox is often used together with dermal fillers to speed up the appearance of results. What areas can Botox treat? This is a common question among people who have never taken this type of treatment before. The face is the main area where Botox treatment is done. The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face becomes your potential area of injection. The smaller the wrinkles, the faster you will likely see the results.
When Does Botox Start Working?
The results of botulinum toxin injections are not immediate. You will feel a plumping effect, but this is an optical illusion because the fluid affects the nerve endings. Botox results are noticeable 2 to 3 days after injection. At this time, you will notice a slight softening of wrinkles on the injected area. You will notice the full effect 2 to 3 weeks after injection. Avoid massaging and rubbing your face for three days. Also, avoid vigorous exercises and high temperatures that may worsen possible swelling. Your aesthetic practitioner should advise you more about what you should or should not do after injection.
While results vary depending on the area treated and the injection frequency, you will enjoy the full effect of Botox for 3 to 12 months(Leyden, Moss &MacMathuna, 2014). If you get Botox injections again, wait for at least three months. This is because Botox might stop working if you have it too often. The dose administered also affects how long the effect lasts on the muscles. High doses have a longer impact than low doses. You should discuss the treatment with your aesthetic practitioner to set realistic expectations. Results are also affected by the nature of the injected area. The result takes longer to appear in areas with deep wrinkles than in shallow ones. The concentration of the Botox injected and how it is injected into the muscles also determines how long it will give an effect. Always wait at least 4 hours to resume your normal activities after injection.
Factors That Affect How Long Botox Treatment Works
The duration of botulinum toxin takes to work differs from one client to the other. The following factors affect how long the Botox effect last in the treated area:
Dilution of Dosage
Botulinum toxin is usually diluted with a saline solution. According to Satriyasa (2019), the effectiveness of the anti-wrinkle treatment depends on theconcentration, the more its effect in the treated area. If it is diluted more, the benefits of Botox are reduced; hence, the result would not last long.
Your Body’s Metabolic Rate
The body’s metabolic rate has an impact on botulinum toxin injections. Therefore, its effect lasts shorter than the body with a shorter metabolism rate.
The Area of Injection
The bigger the muscle, the shorter the effect of Botox injected. Treatment of large muscles like the frontalis muscle tends to experience a shorter effect of Botox.
Dosage
The shorter the dose, the faster the breakdown of Botox injected; therefore, its effect will last a short time. First-time patients are mostly injected with a smaller amount so their doctor can know how their bodies react to Botox. From this, adjustments are made when other injections are administered in future to create the effect last longer.
The Patients Age
Febbi (2022) stated that our body’s ability to produce collagen reduces as we age. This results in lines and wrinkles on our faces, like on the forehead. Continued ageing causes the wrinkles to become deeper. Botox injected to eliminate these types of wrinkles wears out faster than on younger people.
When Botox Start Working, How Does It Feel Like?
Immediately after injection, you may notice slight swelling in the injected area, which disappears after a few days. If you bruise, it will be minimal and take a few days to disappear completely. Some aesthetic practitioners wipe the injected area with certain gels to reduce the chances of bruising. You may experience a headache after injection even though it rarely happens, and if it does, it does not last long. As the healing process progresses, you may experience feelings of tightness and how your face responds after lifting your eyebrows. According to Mukherjee (2015), some complications may occur, such as blurred or double vision when the injections are done in areas around the eyes or breathing difficulties if injections are done in the neck area. However, these side effects are not common.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
Why Does It Take Botox Time to Work?
Botox must reach the cellular level of muscle to block neutral transmitters in the nerves and relax the muscles.
Will My Face Look Over Done After Injection?
If a qualified aesthetic practitioner carries out the procedure, your result will appear natural. Always choose a competent aesthetic practitioner to avoid side effects, complications and overcorrection.
Does Botox Hurt?
Botox injections do not hurt. Some patients describe the feeling as a slight discomfort and others as a pinch sensation. The needles used are tiny; hence the possibility of feeling any significant pain is minimal.
Conclusion
Taking Botox injections should not be taken lightly. The procedure might seem simple, but the level of competence required to perform it should be high. Unqualified aesthetic practitioners may cause side effects depending on how they carry out the procedure. Therefore, ensure you choose the best aesthetic practitioner. Knowing the risks ahead of time, proper dosage and good administration techniques are the benefits you get from choosing a good aesthetic practitioner. You should report any side effects to your doctor if they occur. Always observe all the after-injection tips given to you by your doctor to facilitate the healing process.
References
Febbi, M. (2022). Collagen, injury prevention and increased performance.
Leyden, J. E., Moss, A. C., &MacMathuna, P. (2014). Endoscopic pneumatic dilation versus botulinum toxin injection in the management of primary achalasia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12). Saroğlu, S. Clinical and Cosmetic Applications of Botulinum Toxin.
Mukherjee, S. (2015). Botulinum toxin and its clinical aspects. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP), 9(1), 01-07.
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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