If you just got Botox and are wondering how long this amazing feeling will last or are considering getting Botox, this article is for you.
When we invest time, money and hope into something, we expect the outcome to be great – and that it lasts. With Botox, it’s no different. Many patients wonder how long the results will last and, maybe, more importantly, how to make them last longer.
Botox is a neuromodulator injection that changes the way muscles move (or don’t move). It is called Botox because of its active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A, a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. And, since it is a protein, the body has the ability to break it down. How quickly that happens depends on different factors, both internal and external. For instance, the area where Botox was injected, the dosage, and the way your own body works.
It takes 1-2 weeks for Botox treatment to show visible results and they can last anywhere between 3 to 5 months. However, doctors have stated that thinner areas of the face or the ones that you use the muscles more often will wear off faster, such as the lines around the eyes and lips. The same thing will happen to smaller doses. Also, things such UV radiation and pollution can also speed up the process.
All things considered, here are a few tips on how to make Botox last longer:
Table Of Contents
1. Protect Your Skin from the Light
UVA and UVB lights can cause a huge damage to the skin. As we should always care for our skin and protect it from the sun, we should take double care when having Botox applied, because UV exposure can cause inflammation at a cellular level, damaging your collagen, elastin, and skin cells, and the duration of Botox. It’s also important to add that you should always protect your skin from blue light as well (the type of light that radiates from screens) because it can cause low-level skin inflammation and make your Botox wear off faster.
2. Apply Collagen-Stimulating Skincare Products
Wrinkles, usually, develop because of muscles contracting and folding due to skin weakness. To give your skin a strength boost, making your Botox last longer, add collagen-boosting products in your skincare routine, like retinol or peptides.
3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated
We all know that maintaining skin hydration is important. But it’s also an essential step to make sure your Botox lasts longer.
For that, it’s a good idea to use products to hydrate and moisturize the skin, and Hyaluronic acid to lower the risk of inflammation. That is because bringing down inflammation is directly connected to how fast your body breaks down proteins.
4. Use Antioxidant Serums
Damage caused by free radicals can sabotage both your skin and your Botox. So make sure to use an antioxidant serum every day, like vitamin C to protect your skin from the sun.
5. Watch out for Your Stress Levels
High levels of stress can lead to breakouts and skin damage in general. We all have been there. But what most people don’t know is that it can also make your Botox wear off quicker. That happens because high levels of stress pressures the same muscles you’re trying to get relaxed with Botox injections. To avoid that, a great way to relax is to practice Yoga, meditation or moderate exercise!
6. Avoid Nicotine
Nicotine causes collagen to break down and damages the skin cells, harming the effectiveness and lifespan of your Botox. Smoking makes wrinkles appear sooner and quicker, causing fine lines on the face that future injections will not be able to fix.
7. Take Zinc Supplementation
Researchers found that people who injected Botox and took zinc supplementation saw a significant change in the duration of their Botox results. So talk to your doctor to make sure it’s a healthy option for you, your body and your skin.
Well, as a short answer, make sure you are taking proper care of your skin, keeping it hydrated and protected from light and pollution. Also, don’t forget to see a dermatologist and ask about antioxidant serums and Zinc supplementation. In conclusion, the best way to make Botox last longer is to take good care of your skin. It’s time to put these tips into work and make your Botox last longer!