Even while Botox’s anti-aging benefits are clear, the majority of patients wish that the results would last longer than three to four months, as they do in most cases.
Fortunately, there are methods for extending the duration of your Botox injections so that you may experience smooth skin for up to six months after your procedure.
So, what is the best way to prolong the duration of Botox? What tactics may injectors use in order to get the best possible results?
Botox and dermal fillers are excellent tools for delaying and even reversing the indications of aging skin. However, since these compounds are naturally destroyed by the body, their benefits do eventually wear off eventually. Here are some suggestions to help your Botox treatment last longer.
To Start, What Exactly Is Botox Treatments?
Dynamic wrinkles may be smoothed out using Botox, which is a refined version of the toxin botulinum toxin A.
Botox is a neuromodulator that, when injected into certain facial muscles, prevents the release of acetylcholine and the transmission between neurons and muscles.
It does this by inhibiting muscular contraction and relaxing wrinkles, lines, and creases on the face and body.
Dr. DuPéré’s patients are consistently pleased with the increased lifespan they experience as a result of his anti-aging therapies. Typically, he recommends visiting every 4-6 months for Botox and every 9- 12 months for fillers, depending on their needs and desired results.
Once you begin receiving Botox injections, you can expect to need to repeat your treatments every four to six months in order to preserve your effects. Depending on their skin type, many of our patients have wrinkle-free skin for up to six months, while others just need to visit our clinic once every 12 months to preserve their benefits.
Consequently, the BIG issue is: What can be done to make Botox stay longer? Is it even possible to do so? In our clinic, we are often approached for guidance on this subject. And here’s what we had to say.
In most cases, you will not be able to make Botox last longer, but you may assist in extending the duration of its impact through simple steps.
First and foremost, let’s go through the science behind how Botox works: There are two things you must understand about how Botox works in order to properly use it….
Botox is a neurotoxin that attaches itself to nerve terminals. It works by interfering with the synaptic pathway that connects your nerves to your face muscles. Botox, to put it simply, paralyzes the nerves that control the movement of your face muscles.
When we believe that Botox has “worn off” after a few months, the medicine remains in our bodies for a longer period of time. Rather, it is the muscular paralysis effect that gradually fades off. Neuronal endings that have been paralyzed are replaced by fresh ends that sprout and are able to activate the muscles so that they may move and frown once more.
Botox works by inhibiting muscle contractions. In other words, it is solely effective in softening and preventing dynamic wrinkles. These are often wrinkles around the mouth and eyes that appear as a result of facial emotions such as smiling and laughing. Dermal fillers, such as Profhilo, are intended to cure and fill in wrinkles and creases on the skin. Therefore, many of our patients opt to supplement their routine botulinum toxin treatments by combining them with fillers such as Restylane LYFT and Juvederm ULTRA, as well as Profhilo Skin Boosters injections.
In most cases, Botox benefits are noticeable 7-8 days after your injections and reach their peak around 14 days. Over the course of three to six months, the Botox will progressively lose its potency.
What Causes The Results Of Botox And Dermal Fillers To Disappear?
In spite of the fact that botulinum toxin is a potentially dangerous agent, it is a naturally occurring substance created by bacteria. Neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are developed from botulinum toxin. Dermal fillers also include natural substances like collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are used to restore volume to the skin. These compounds do not remain indefinitely and do not remain distinct from your body; rather, they are reabsorbed by your body. The pace at which this occurs varies from person to person and is dependent on a number of factors, including:
The Injection Site
In parts of the face that are more active, injectables such as toxin or filler are more likely to wear off more rapidly. Neurotoxins do not remain as long in muscles that are very powerful for example, the scowl, forehead, and region around the eyes in certain persons, but they do last longer in muscles that are thinner and less flexible.
When it comes to fillers, the most active areas of your face are around the mouth and lips. Filler put deep in your cheeks or in your tear troughs may typically last longer than filler placed on the surface of the skin because they are placed on bone and underneath muscles. In other words, the length of time that Botox lasts depends on where it is injected; since parts where you grin often move more, the Botox won’t last as long there.
Injection Dosage and Administration
Small dosage injections will evaporate more rapidly than higher dose injections, despite the fact that this may seem like basic sense. Those areas that need many injections that are tightly spaced will also retain the injectables for a longer period of time.
The Neurotoxin or Filler’s Chemical Formulation
Fillers have a variety of qualities and are used to create a variety of results for example, filling fine lines vs replacing volume. As a consequence, they must be formulated differently in order to integrate into the right tissue to accomplish the desired outcome.
Based on the kind of filler used, it will be reabsorbed at a variety of different rates, ranging from four months to two years. Neurotoxins are all the same toxin; however, the proteins around the toxin are different or absent in distinct neurotoxins. Some people metabolize certain types of neurotoxic at a faster rate than others. If this happens, you may wish to experiment with a new brand or mix up your routine on a regular basis.
Your Physical and Psychological Environment
Examples of external influences that shorten the duration of outcomes include ultraviolet light and air pollution. Skin damage caused by free radicals may accelerate the aging process and reduce the effectiveness of Botox and fillers. The products that you apply to the injection sites might also have a significant impact on the longevity of your Botox treatment.
Your One-of-a-Kind Body
Proteins are processed differently by each individual. The pace at which your injectables disperse will be influenced by genetic variables, as well as your overall age. People who are very active and athletic will often metabolize both toxins and fillers more rapidly; nevertheless, this should not be used as an excuse to quit exercising!
How To Extend The Life Of Your Botox Treatments
Use Of Abrasive Products Should Be Completely Avoided
Many patients have shared with us throughout the years their experiences with the many sorts of products they’ve tried to combat the indications of aging. Obviously, many of them would prefer to utilize these items in conjunction with Botox in order to get the best possible outcomes. We do, however, urge that you refrain from using abrasive face cleansers, masks, scrubs, or toners for at least a week after your Botox treatment..
Botox and fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane will not stay longer if you use abrasive facial products on your face. As a matter of fact, it has been shown to prevent Botox from functioning properly in your face entirely. Fillers must be able to settle into the regions where the injections were made in order to be effective. The use of harsh chemicals may cause fillers to migrate to other places of the body, resulting in unexpected outcomes.
Choose A Botox Professional
Make use of a medical aesthetic practitioner with extensive expertise and certification. Botox injections must be administered at the exact and adequate dose and at precise injection locations in order to be as effective as possible.
Avoid Harsh Environments
Excessive heat and hard exertion should be avoided during the first 24 hours. Saunas, hot yoga, strenuous exercise (moderate exercise is acceptable), and vigorous facial massages all have the potential to cause Botox to migrate to parts of your face where it is not intended to be placed. The consequences of this might include transient facial paralysis, eyelid drooping, and other unfavorable side effects. For the first night after your injection, it may be beneficial to sleep on your back in a slightly raised posture.
Stay Away From The Sun And Sunbeds
Premature wrinkles are caused by sun damage. Due to the fact that they do not engage the underlying muscles, Botox is ineffective against these skin-damaged wrinkles. Every day, be sure to apply sunscreen to your face, neck, and hands. Using a high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoiding exposure to the sun during peak UV hours can help you maintain your effects for longer.
Skin Care
If you take good care of your skin, the effects of Botox and fillers will stay for a longer period of time. The ability of hyaluronic-based fillers to absorb water will be enhanced in patients who moisturize in the morning and at night and keep themselves hydrated by drinking lots of water. This helps to keep the treated areas looking lush and wrinkle-free for longer.
The Importance Of Proper Diet
Your diet has an impact on both the look and health of your skin. Avoid processed and packaged foods as much as possible, and keep the quantity of sugar in your diet to a minimum. Attempt to maintain a consistent healthy weight. Weight reduction that is extreme, particularly on your face, can diminish the efficacy and duration of your anti-aging injections.
Reduced Stress
Stress has a detrimental impact on your body in a variety of ways, including speeding up the aging process and exacerbating the appearance of classic indicators of age. In order to maximize the effects of your injections, aim to eliminate stress-inducing situations from your life while also adding stress-relieving activities such as meditation or yoga into your routine.
Zinc Supplements
According to some research, the effects of Botox are connected to the amount of zinc in the body. Many people have a small zinc deficiency, which may be dangerous. Taking a zinc supplement on a regular basis after your Botox treatment may assist to extend the anti-aging benefits of the therapy.
Exercise
Sadly, a small number of patients who are enthusiastic runners and work-out enthusiasts discover that their Botox and Fillers effects do not last as long as they had hoped. Do not cease to remain active since there is no “cure” for this problem. Running and exercise help you feel good and keep you healthy. Simply avoid squinting your eyes while you’re working out to avoid this. When you’re out in the sun, be sure to wear a baseball hat and sunglasses to keep your eyes from squinting.
Reduce Or Eliminate Your Use Of Tobacco Products
Smoking ages your skin and lessens the chance of your Botox lasting it’s full life cycle.
Maintenance Treatments
Working with your doctor to develop a maintenance treatment regimen is the most effective approach to ensure that your Botox benefits last as long as possible. Make your visits as soon as you can once your effects have worn off. Botox treatments on a regular basis are particularly beneficial since they will actually teach the targeted muscles to react to the neurotoxin for extended lengths of time over time. The glabellar frown lines are a good illustration of this. Be patient and put your faith in your doctor. Don’t go overboard with that. If you have too many Botox treatments too soon, your muscles may become resistant to the therapy or respond in other harmful ways.
Want to learn more about Dr. DuPéré’s technique for extending the life of Botox injections? Please contact our medical spa to book a complete consultation with one of our experts and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the treatment.
