“Studies have shown that it can take 4 to 5 years for the antibodies responsible for resistance to drop after patients become resistant,” Dr Corduff says.
Because Botox is a form of a toxin produced by a bacteria, the body can sometimes develop an immune response to the injections. This will cause the body to break down the Botox injections quickly so that they are no longer effective.
“The normal amount of time it takes the body to metabolize Botox® ranges from two to four months,” Dr. Layke says.
The body begins to form antibodies against the product. Eventually the antibodies will block Botox® from working, and the facial muscles will recover very rapidly. At that point, there is little point in getting further injections of Botox®. This resistance process typically takes months or years to complete.
The short answer to how long you should wait between Botox treatments is anywhere from three to four months for the best results. We recommend scheduling around this time frame, which is when most people begin to notice that their results begin to dissipate.
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.
According to the latest research, zinc levels directly contribute to Botox efficiency and keep deep facial lines at bay for longer periods. A study conducted in 2012 shows that Botox duration increases by 30% in Botox patients who took 50mg of zinc daily.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain antibiotics (including aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, polymyxin), anticoagulants (such as warfarin), Alzheimer's disease drugs (such as galantamine, rivastigmine, tacrine), myasthenia gravis drugs (such as ambenonium, pyridostigmine), quinidine.
Many people worry that if they stop getting BOTOX injections, their wrinkles will come back faster and worse than before. However, this is not the case. If you stop BOTOX injections, your wrinkles will slowly start to come back, but slower than if you had never used BOTOX to begin with.
- Avoid the use of Aspirin, NSAIDS, Ginko Biloba, Garlic Supplements, Green Tea, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamins A and E, and essential fatty acids for up to 1 week pre and post injection as they will increase your risk of bruising.
Common supplements to avoid before treatment include vitamin E, St. John's Wort, garlic, turmeric, chia seeds, Ginkgo biloba, and flaxseed oil (and other oils high in omega-3 fatty acids). It's best to talk to your doctor before stopping any regular medications.
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.
The use of these anti-aging products (yes, sunscreen is anti-aging) will aid in your skin's natural ability to produce new elastin and collagen. The more collagen you produce, the longer your Botox (and even temporary dermal fillers) will last!
“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.
“It's customary to provide an 18 to 20 percent gratuity for any spa service, no matter if it's sugaring or a Biologique Recherche facial,” Angela Rosen, owner of Penelope & The Beauty Bar in Seattle and Daphne in New York City, tells Allure.
Can I do too much Botox? Theoretically, yes. If you continue to receive treatments every 2-3 months for years on end, the muscle will continue to get weaker and flatter. This may give the appearance that the skin can appear thin and lose.
Treat skin with care
Be extra gentle when applying skincare products and steer clear of retinol, glycolic acid, and exfoliating agents for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment to minimize the risk of irritation, says Dr. Goldberg.
To minimize the risk of becoming resistant, patients should be given the lowest possible effective dose (which is a good idea for safety's sake anyway). There are also studies that are looking at how age and frequency of treatment may affect a person's ability to develop Botox resistance.
Medical professionals do not use the same amount of Dysport® for every treatment. Larger treatments may last longer than a treatment that used a relatively small amount of Dysport®. Additionally, Dysport® may degrade over time or if exposed to heat.
No interactions were found between Botox and Vitamin D3.
No interactions were found between Botox and Vitamin B12. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Answer: Use of retinol and vitamin C post injections
Gently putting on your skin products after 4 hours post botox or juvaderm is safe. Both retinol and vitamin C will not interfere with either products.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your treatment. (All of these factors may increase risk of bruising and swelling).