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.
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.
Exposing the body to high heat or activities which increase blood flow may disrupt this process and/or cause the Botulinum Toxin to migrate to other areas, affecting the overall results. Once the Botulinum Toxin has fully settled, being in the sun or in hot environments should not impact your results.
Botox starts to work immediately, but it does not reveal its results immediately. You can generally expect to start seeing the results of your treatment 48 to 96 hours after the medication is administered.
Another way to help your Botox or dermal filler last longer is to exercise your facial muscles. You can do that by making various facial expressions, such as smiling, grinning or frowning. In addition, not only will your injectables last longer, but they may also show up sooner.
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.
Research shows that taking zinc supplements may help extend the results of Botox. In a 2012 study, patients who took a supplement of 50mg zinc and an enzyme known as phytase experienced a 30 percent increase in Botox duration.
You will not see a change straight away. It takes about 2 or 3 days to start working, and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect. Do not massage or rub your face for 3 days.
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.
“If you're starting with skin that's healthy, your Botox and fillers will last longer,” contends Dr. Peredo. Her medicine-cabinet recommendations include products that contain retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants. “Having good skin care will also help extend your results.
Zinc is known as a “Botox booster” based on a few studies. Zinc has been found to be effective in extending the effects of botulinum toxin injections up to 30 percent.
Here's why: Working out causes circulation in the face to increase. This can result in the absorption of BOTOX in other areas that were not intended to be treated. Also, rigorous physical activity and sweating may cause some Dallas patients to metabolize the wrinkle-reducing medication more quickly.
BOTOX works by binding with neuroreceptors to forcibly relax or “freeze” the muscle. This process takes several days, with the majority of patients starting to notice their BOTOX results about 3 – 4 days after treatment. In some cases, it can take up to a full week for the full effects of BOTOX to be seen.
Why Does It Take Botox Time To Work? Botox takes time to work because it must reach the cellular level of the muscle in order to block the neurotransmitters in the nerve, eventually causing the paralyzation of the muscle.
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.
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'.
Drinking after Botox can lead to a number of issues that may prolong your recovery. Alcohol has blood-thinning properties and is a vasodilator. This means that it causes more blood flow, and this can cause bruising and swelling at the injection site.
Consistently high-stress levels can cause the body to break down Botox more quickly while speeding the aging process. Taking part in meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities can help you maximize the life span of your Botox while reducing any stress-related aging.
Between 10 to 50 Units of botox
A forehead botox injection can require between 10 to 50 units needed in the forehead depending on the severity of your wrinkles. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox suggests the amount of units that's recommended in the “five” sites of the forehead is 4 units.
Don't lie down for at least 3 hours after receiving Botox. Don't go into any saunas, hot tubs, or tanning booths for at least 4 hours. This helps to prevent bruising, because heat can raise your blood pressure. Otherwise, you can resume your regular activities right after getting Botox.
Drink Coffee
You should also avoid coffee before Botox. This is because coffee contains caffeine, which may trigger your blood pressure and increase the likelihood of bruising during the procedure. For this reason, you should avoid coffee and other beverages containing caffeine at least 24 hours before the treatment.
A study conducted in 2012 shows that Botox duration increases by 30% in Botox patients who took 50mg of zinc daily. This might be due to the fact that the botulinum toxin is a member of a class of enzymes that requires zinc. So, taking zinc regularly after your Botox treatment can extend the anti-aging effects.
Botox and fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are not affected by retinols or AHAs. These products, along with sunscreen, will keep your skin healthy and young-looking.