Botox is easily one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Many men and women around the world get Botox, a treatment that can smooth out those pesky fine lines and wrinkles with just a few quick injections.
Since Botox is fairly well-known, people are often familiar with how it works and what it can do. However, we’ve found that many people are unsure about how often you need to get Botox to maintain its results. Botox is a temporary treatment, so maintenance treatments are necessary if you want long-term results. So, how often should you get Botox? Below, we’re answering this frequently asked question.
How Often Should You Get Botox Treatments
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that’s excellent for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This non-invasive cosmetic procedure can be used to smooth out forehead lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, marionette lines, and more. It can also be used as a preventative treatment to help stop dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions) from forming in the first place.
But while Botox is an excellent treatment for reducing and preventing wrinkles, it’s not a permanent one. Botox works through the application of a neurotoxin that blocks nerve communication and relaxes the muscles. When the muscles are relaxed and cannot move, the skin over these muscles will smooth, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, over time, the body starts to create new nerve endings that were not affected by Botox. When these new nerve endings connect to the muscles, muscle movement resumes and the effects of Botox injections start to wear off at the injection site.
Generally, the effects of Botox Cosmetic will last for around 3 to 4 months. How long Botox lasts can vary from person to person, since everyone’s unique body is different. How long Botox lasts can also vary depending on how many units of Botox you received. If a smaller number of units were used, the effects of treatment will wear off more quickly. This is why you always want to go to an experienced doctor when you get Botox, whether you’re looking to get preventative Botox or Botox for existing wrinkles. An experienced doctor will be able to recommend an appropriate amount of units for your unique face, your aesthetic goals, and the area you want to treat.
Though Botox is not permanent, the results of Botox can be maintained with follow up treatments. Most people who choose to maintain their Botox get new injections around every 3 to 4 months, once their last treatment is starting to wear off. However, many patients who use Botox regularly find that, after a while, they need follow up appointments less frequently, which we’ll talk more about in the next section.
Long-Term Botox Maintenance Strategies
When a person starts getting Botox injections, it tends to wear off every 3 to 4 months. But, after regular long-term Botox use, the facial muscles can sometimes start to train themselves to contract less. Some patients find that after around 2 years of getting Botox regularly, they can start to extend the time in between their treatments, going up to 6 months in between treatments.
If you want to use Botox long-term, it’s important to consult with an expert doctor, such as our own Dr. Zadeh. Dr. Zadeh is a board-certified plastic surgeon who can create a customized treatment plan for you that can help you maintain your Botox results over time. If you’re interested in using Botox long-term, make a consultation appointment at our office today. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Zadeh will examine your skin, learn more about your aesthetic goals, and work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to help you reach those goals.
Interested in learning more about the other cosmetic procedures we offer at the Z Center for Cosmetic Health? Browse Our Services to learn more about the non-surgical treatments we offer at our medical spa. We offer treatments such as body sculpting, laser hair removal, dermal fillers (including Juvederm and Restylane), Dysport for wrinkle treatment, non-surgical face lift and neck lifts, advanced skin care facials, chemical peels, hand rejuvenation, laser skin resurfacing, and more.
