In general, you can see the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days after an injection. Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says most patients will see results within 10 to 14 days but should wait the full 14 days to see the maximum results.
This article found that typically patients who used Botox to treat forehead lines and wrinkles were able to see maximum results in just two days. “Improvement in glabellar frown lines at maximum frown was observed in 85.4% of subjects 2 days after administration.
Botox injections do not work instantly, but you can expect to see positive results quickly from your treatment. Most patients observe significant improvements in the appearance of their skin after just 3–4 days. Patients can expect to see the full effect around 14 days after their botox injection.
Answer: Botox migration
The botox can migrate either at the time of injection or for a little while afterwards. The effect may only come on after days to 2 weeks later as the botox starts to work. The greater the volume injected the greater the risk of migration.
The reason for this delay is due to the time it takes for the body to start reacting to the Botox after it's been injected. Because of this, we like to have our patients come back after two weeks to check on their progress.
You may start to see results in as little as 24 hours, although the average time is three days. However, some patients may not see results for as long as five days. The maximum results of Botox can be seen within two weeks. One Botox injection can last up to four months.
The first “true” results will be noticeable within 24 to 48 hours – when you'll see a softening of wrinkles. Why does Botox need a couple days to start working? Botox freezes your muscles by stopping the release of acetylcholine. It takes awhile for your body to “use up” the acetylcholine that's already circulating.
It can take up to one week for the Botox to show full effect. I would recommend giving it some time. Following up with your provider would be the next best step if you still do not see a result after a week.
Patients should always avoid laying down on their faces after BOTOX.
After Botox is injected it is important not to rub or massage the area, this can cause the product to migrate. However, touching the area one time by accident should not cause any issues.
When someone is receiving too much treatment with anti-wrinkle injections, the skin can become extremely smooth and the light bounces off in a uniform way. So, the skin appears shiny, which is why it can look 'frozen'.
What does Botox feel like when it starts to work? Immediately following your Botox injections, you may feel slight residual stinging from the injection. You may also notice a small bump at the injection site, a bit like a mosquito bite. No worries, these bumps will fade quickly.
The first thing you'll notice immediately after Botox injections are little bumps and dots of blood that look just like mosquito bites. These go away in 20 minutes to half an hour. But you won't notice the skin-smoothing effects between three to five days (and up to two weeks).
Avoid rubbing or touching your face for 24 hours after the injections. In about 48 to 72 hours, you'll start to notice smoother, firmer skin. BOTOX injections will last for up to four months. As the injection formula starts to wear off, you'll need to undergo maintenance injections to maintain your youthful appearance.
What to expect: 48 hours after the procedure you may still experience some mild swelling and bruising at the site of the injections. You are unlikely to see any results just yet. What to do: You can resume your regular exercise routine. You can now fly without the results of your Botox being affected.
Simple facial exercises shortly after injection get quicker results by one day. Summary: For people who can't wait the three or four days for the wrinkle smoothing effects of botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to kick in, a new study shows facial exercise after the injections speeds the change in appearance by one day.
It's highly recommended that you move your face around a lot after getting Botox. This includes smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows. It's similar to facial exercises, minus the touching. Facial movement may look — and feel — silly, but it actually helps the Botox work better.
After Cosmetic Botox, Be Sure to Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping on your stomach or side can cause Botox to migrate to other areas of your face. This can result in uneven results or even bruising. Sleeping on your back, however, minimizes the risk of it migrating and ensures it stays where it is supposed to.
The most common reason that Botox does not work is that not enough was given. Botox is not a one size fits all treatment and the same dosage does not work for everyone. Some individuals may need additional Botox to reach an effective level of muscle weakness. The Botox may also be old, overdiluted, or fake.
It is a muscle-relaxer that temporarily restricts the movement of certain muscles to make forehead or brow lines, Crow's feet around the eyes, or creases around the mouth area less noticeable. However, BOTOX results are day by day, as it takes a few days to settle into place.
After getting Botox, it's typical to have redness, tenderness, and swelling. These side effects usually disappear in 1 day. Bruising is also common. You can apply a pack of ice for relief.
The three most common reasons Botox does not work are: too few units applied, the dosage was not increased in follow up treatments, and Botox can treat only muscular movement lines not resting lines. The most common cause of ineffective Botox results is that you did not get enough.
The results of BOTOX typically begin to appear within a few days after the injection. However, the full results may not be visible for about 1 – 2 weeks, so it is important to wait an adequate amount of time before seeking a touch-up treatment.
You should begin to see Botox treatments starting to work with a couple days. The effects will become stronger over the ensuing 7 to 10 days. The complete effect is generally seen two weeks after the injection.