In general, you should begin to see results between 24 and 72 hours, but some patients may not see full results for five days or more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Botox binds to receptors on nerve cells to relax muscles, and it is possible that exercise speeds this binding process," Alam explained. "For patients who need quick results, the exercise may be worth the effort.
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.
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.
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.
Answer: After Botox
Staying upright for four hours after Botox treatment is recommended to minimize the risk of the migration of the toxin. Migration is when areas that were not injected are affected resulting in unwanted muscle weakness, the most commonly seen is drooping of the upper eyelid.
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.
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).
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.
Don't lay down for the first 4 hours after having Botox
You might be sore or a little tired after having Botox injected, but you should avoid laying down for the first four hours after the injections. Both bending and laying down could spread the toxin and lead to bruising at the injection site.
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 only person you never need to tip is a doctor, even for aesthetic treatments like Botox (another reason to only get injections from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon). At the end of the day, all of these stylists, aestheticians, and technicians live off their tips, so be sure to help them after they've helped you.
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).
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.
You can wash your face after getting Botox. It is important to keep your face clean, especially around the Botox injection sites, to avoid any irritation or risk of infection. Just be very careful when washing your face. Use gentle cleansers only.
A successful Botox treatment in the forehead should still result in the patient having some ability to move their forehead. However, remember that to prolong the lifespan of your Botox, try your best to minimize movement in the forehead for the next few months.
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.