You probably already know that Botox is an effective way to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but you may still have questions about this treatment. At Radiant Reflections Weightloss Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS we’ve got answers. One of the most important things new patients want to know is how long the effects last.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The short answer is that most people enjoy their results for three to six months, but there’s plenty more worth knowing about this amazing treatment. If you are thinking about trying Botox for the first time, you’re in good company. In the United States, over one million Botox treatments are done every year.
Botox is an injectable that we use to treat all kinds of wrinkles. It uses the neurotoxic protein botulinum toxin to relax away the signs of aging. It can also be used to control excessive sweating and stop muscle spasms from a variety of conditions. The FDA first approved this treatment for wrinkles and lines in 2002, but it was used long before then to stop eyelid spasms. It created a lot of excitement when it was released for cosmetic use because it allows patients to treat the signs of aging effectively without getting surgical procedures. Since then, it has been booming in popularity.
FAQ About Botox
1. How Does It Work?
Botulinum toxin addresses the cause of your wrinkles, which is repetitive muscle contractions. When you make a facial expression such as a smile or a frown, your skin folds in certain places. Over time, the repeated folding and unfolding create fine lines that eventually become wrinkles. Getting rid of your wrinkles is as simple as identifying which muscles cause the specific lines that bother you and inhibiting them from contracting. That’s exactly what this treatment does.
Botulinum toxin temporarily relaxes those muscles so that they no longer produce wrinkles. As a result, your skin will smooth out. People can use this treatment to address fine lines and wrinkles they already have or to prevent new ones from forming.
2. Why Don’t Young People Get Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Everyone makes facial expressions, so why don’t young people get fine lines and wrinkles? The answer is that young skin is rich in a protein called collagen. Collagen maintains the elasticity of the skin and helps maintain its tight appearance. After a young person makes a facial expression, collagen allows the skin to return to its original position without creasing.
Collagen production slows sometime in our late 20s or early 30s. After age 30, we produce 1% to 2% less of it every year. Around this time, we start to see fine lines appear. As we continue to go about our lives making facial expressions, the fine lines become more noticeable. Eventually, they turn into wrinkles. The good news is that botulinum toxin can help you avoid the signs of aging even if your collagen production has declined.
3. How Can You Maintain Results?
Is Botox a lasting solution and is it worth the investment? Most patients report that the treatment is effective at least three months and often up to six months. If you want to maintain the results of this treatment, it’s as easy as scheduling another appointment when you start to see them fade.
By doing so, you can enjoy the effects for as long as you want. Since it takes between three and six months for them to diminish, you will only have to come in for injections two to four times per year.
4. Can I Modify How the Treatment Is Done?
The good thing about the fact that this treatment is temporary is that you can ask us to adjust it as we go along. If you decide you want more or less product after your initial injections, we can make that change the next time you come in. We can also target additional areas if you decide you want to address more of your fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Will This Treatment Make My Face Look Frozen?
This is a common fear of people who consider this treatment, but it is not something that you need to worry about. Our providers are medically licensed professionals with extensive aesthetic training. We are able to do these injections in a way that targets only the specific muscles that cause the lines. We will not freeze any part of your face. In fact, one of the reasons people love this treatment is that it delivers natural-looking results.
6. How Long Do the Injections Take?
The injections themselves are very quick. Most people are done in under ten minutes.
7. What Kinds of Lines Can This Treatment Improve?
Injectables are a versatile solution for most areas of your face. They can improve almost any lines that are caused by repetitive muscle contractions. These include brow lines and the two vertical lines that form between your eyes. Other popular areas to treat are the sides of your eyes, which develop crows feet from squinting. Glabellar lines, which form around the mouth, also respond especially well to this treatment. These are sometimes referred to as marionette lines.
8. How Much of the Injectable Will I Need?
This treatment is measured and priced in units. The amount you will need depends on your skin condition and what lines you want to address. Crows feet typically require only 5 to 10 units, whereas the lines between your eyes might take 20 or 30.
9. Is This Better Than Topical Creams?
There is not a lot of regulation when it comes to the advertising claims of many products that say they can improve your wrinkles. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of them aren’t very effective. Most contain a minimal amount of the active ingredient. While some can nourish your skin and keep it moisturized, few can have a truly noticeable impact on fine lines or wrinkles.
The Half Face Test
To get the truth behind the false claims, some people do a half face test. They use the product in question on one half of their face for however long it says it will take to work. During that time, they don’t apply the product to the other half of their face. All other aspects of their skincare routines are the same for both sides.
After the specified amount of time has passed, they look in the mirror to see if they can tell the difference. Sometimes, they ask friends to try to identify which side received the product. Doing this test reveals that many topical treatments don’t have a very big effect on the appearance of our skin. It’s usually better to save money on the creams and invest in botulinum toxin instead. This treatment will give you results that you can actually see.
10. Does It Work Quickly?
The answer to this question is also yes, especially when you compare it to over-the-counter creams and serums. These products can take up to six weeks to achieve minimal effects. By contrast, this treatment can give you real results that you will start to see just a few days after your injections. Over the next few weeks, your skin will continue to show improvements until the treatment reaches its optimal level of effectiveness.
11. Is This Treatment Safe?
Absolutely. The FDA approved this treatment almost 20 years ago and millions have been administered since. The injections are non-surgical and have very little chance of causing an adverse reaction. They are safe for people of all skin types.
12. What Should I Do After the Injections?
You can go about your normal routine immediately after your appointment is finished. The only kinds of activities you should avoid are strenuous exercises. The only reason to hold off on these is that they can cause the product to move out of the injected areas. You can resume your exercise routine 24 hours after your appointment.
13. What Is the Right Age to Start Getting This Treatment?
That depends entirely on your preference. This treatment can be done in patients starting at age 18, but chances are you won’t have to begin that early. A great time to get your first injections is when you notice fine lines start to appear. This usually happens in the 20s or early 30s. This treatment is becoming increasingly popular among people who want to stop wrinkles from appearing in the first place.
By starting early, you can address fine lines before they turn into wrinkles, thereby preventing new creases from forming. That said, if you already have fine lines and wrinkles, it is never too late to take control of them. This treatment is very popular for people in their 40s. Patients in their 50s or 60s can benefit, too.
14. Can This Treatment Be Used in Combination With Dermal Fillers and Other Treatments?
Yes, and doing so can have excellent results. Dermal fillers are used to treat deeper wrinkles and to add volume to certain areas of the face. You can use the fillers on areas of your face that show more advanced signs of aging while getting botulinum toxin in places that have more fine lines.
Botulinum toxin can also be used before or after a vampire facelift. If you choose to do this, it is best to leave a few weeks between the facelift and the injections.
15. How Can I Optimize My Results?
To keep your skin looking great in every respect, you should follow a healthy skincare routine. This includes cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating at home. You should also wear an SPF every day and get plenty of sleep. Combined with botulinum toxin, this approach can take years off of your appearance.
Schedule a Consultation
Do you still have questions about this treatment? The best way to learn more about it is by seeing our practice in person. When you schedule a consultation, we can tell you all about the different skin-rejuvenating options we offer. We can do an assessment of your skin and talk to you about your aesthetic goals. If you decide on Botox and want to go for it right away, we can usually do the injections right after the consultation. Contact Radiant Reflections Weightloss Clinic
Get Lasting Results
With this treatment, you will enjoy three to six months of smoother, rejuvenated skin every time you come in for an appointment. Most patients love the results and maintain them by coming back consistently. With this approach, you can benefit from skin that always looks fresh and creaseless.Â
Your skin is beautiful, and this treatment can help you maintain it for life. Contact Radiant Reflections Weightloss Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS for more information on injectables. We look forward to giving you smooth skin that lasts.
