How long does it take for Botox® to work?

Botox is a common procedure used to enhance your overall look, rejuvenate your skin, or tackle some common health problems. Botox can smooth frown lines and other wrinkles, reduce the size of strong masseter muscles, treat TMJ, and eliminate excessive sweating. Botox injections use a botulinum toxin to paralyze or relax the muscles temporarily. The injection blocks the nerve signals to the muscles, preventing them from contracting.

Some people may see Botox results a few days after their first treatment, while others may see the full result after two weeks. Botox results can last several months, and can be maintained by getting regular injections.

Before getting Botox treatments, it’s essential to do your research and ensure you know enough about how the process works, how long it lasts, and how you can ensure you get the desired Botox results.

How does Botox work?

Botox is a simple and quick cosmetic procedure that injects botulinum toxins into your body. The toxins block certain nerve signals that make your muscles contract. When your facial muscles relax, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and smoothes your complexion, giving you a more rejuvenated look. These injections can also selectively turn off sweat glands, which can help with excessive sweating.

There are several areas on your body where you can get Botox injections:

• Neck
• Forehead lines
• Frown lines
• Crow’s feet
• Jaw
• The side of the nose
• Scalp
• Armpits

What should I expect when I get Botox treatment?

Botox is a relatively safe and quick cosmetic procedure that many people seek. It’s becoming more common for cosmetic and medical reasons, and the process is virtually painless, depending on your sensitivity to needles.

The process starts with a consultation with your Nurse Injector. They will go over the entire process with you and understand what you want to achieve. They will also provide instructions with pre- and post-care as well. During the Botox procedure, your Nurse will inject the toxin into your facial muscles.

How long does it take to see results from Botox?

Some people start to see the Botox results a few days after their first treatment, while others may have to wait a week or two. It all depends on how your body reacts. You can expect the results to last around three months before you go in for another appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you avoid after Botox?

There are certain activities you should avoid after getting Botox injections. Your Nurse will go through proper post-care instructions for you to follow. Here is a common list of activities you should not do after getting Botox:

• Do not rub the injection site
• Avoid putting on make-up on or near the injection site if possible
• Avoid consuming a lot of alcohol for the first 24 hours after treatment
• Do not take part in any strenuous physical activities right after getting Botox
• Don’t take blood thinners
• Avoid the heat and sun where possible or use extra sun protection

Your doctor might give you additional or more detailed instructions about what you should not do after getting Botox treatment. It’s essential to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the injection site heals well and you get the best results.

What vitamin makes Botox last longer?

There are a few vitamins that may help prolong your Botox results. Some studies show zinc can extend the effects of botulinum toxin. Botox directly reacts with the levels of zinc in your body. It cannot give the best results unless there is enough zinc present. You can take zinc supplements a few days before going for your treatment to prolong the effects.

Topical antioxidants like Vitamin C can protect your skin from free radicals like UV rays and pollution. Free radicals damage your skin and the botulinum toxin injected within it. Adding an antioxidant serum to your sunscreen routine can add layer of protection against UV rays than SPF alone.

What does Botox feel like when it starts to work?

If this is your first treatment with Botox injections, you may experience a bit of tightness and residual stinging from the injection site. You might also notice some tiny bumps and redness. It is normal to have these reactions as Botox uses needles, but they should fade quickly. If your face is sensitive, you may still experience some slight redness around the injection site. Your face should eventually look nearly identical to what it looked like before treatment. Botox results appear gradually on your face and body, which takes days or weeks.

How can you ensure your Botox procedure lasts longer?

There are several precautions and things you can do or avoid doing to make your Botox results last longer. Apart from following the directions from your doctor and post-treatment care and using vitamins like Zinc and Vitamin C to protect your skin, you can also:

• Stay hydrated to maintain your injections by drinking water and applying topical treatments like hyaluronic acid and moisturizer.
• Take care of your skin and keep it healthy with a proper skincare routine.
• Reduce your consumption of processed and packaged food, which can cause increased inflammation.

You can schedule touch-up appointments if you want regular Botox treatments. We generally recommend these follow-up appointments every three to six months, depending on how much your first treatment fades and how enhanced you want your Botox to look.

Should you sleep on your side 24 hours after Botox?

It’s important to avoid touching and irritating the injection site after Botox treatment. For example, if you have Botox injections in your facial muscles, we recommend avoiding sleeping on your side or your face for 24 hours after getting Botox. Although the swelling and redness may go away before you’ve reached 24 hours post-treatment, it’s important to let the Botox settle into your muscles. Sleeping on your side or face can increase the chances of the Botox injections moving away from the targeted areas.

Should you massage your facial muscles after a Botox procedure?

No, you should not massage or rub your facial muscles after a Botox procedure for 24 hours after injection. It helps against spreading the botulinum toxins to undesired areas like the eyes. You should not use your hands or tools like jade rollers, gua sha, or other face-sculpting tools until the Botox settles into the muscles. Not only does it defeat the purpose of getting Botox, but it can also cause irreparable damage.