According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there are approximately 7.4 million Botox injections administered in the United States each year. Botox treatment is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures, giving you a chance to temporarily get rid of wrinkles for a smoother and more youthful appearance.
At Advanced Life Clinic in Huntsville, AL, we offer Botox injections for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles. But what is Botox, and how long does Botox take to work?
What Is Botox?
Botox is a minimally invasive cosmetic injectable made from botulinum toxin. It uses a neurotoxin to temporarily paralyze muscles in the targeted area, interrupting the signals the brain sends to the muscles telling them to contract.
Botulinum toxin treatment helps with dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles form over time in response to muscles contracting when you frown, smile, or make any other expressions.
When you’re young, your body produces a lot of collagen and elastin. These two proteins keep your skin flexible yet firm while also ensuring that it remains hydrated.
As you age, however, the production of these proteins decreases. Your skin no longer bounces back into place as easily as it once did, allowing fine lines and wrinkles to form. Botox injections target those types of wrinkles in many areas of your face, including:
- Around the eyes
- Forehead
- Lips
- Chin
- Eyebrows
- Jawline
- Nose
The best candidates for botulinum toxin treatment are people who are in good overall health, who have realistic expectations, and who are not allergic to the ingredients. If you have a skin disorder or infection at the treatment area, are pregnant or nursing, or have existing muscle weakness at the site, you may not be a good candidate for the procedure. We can help you find an option that suits you better.
Benefits of Botox Injections
Botox injections are quick procedures that do not require much preparation or recovery time. Most people can come in on their lunch break and get treatment. The procedure is also minimally invasive. You don’t have to worry about anesthetics or hospital stays, as you would with facelifts.
In addition, Botox injections can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, which is why more people in their 20s are choosing to get them. Botox teaches the targeted muscles to be naturally softer.
Getting Botox Treatment
When you come to our office for a consultation, we will examine the treatment areas to determine whether you might be a good candidate for these injections. We will ask about your medical history, your skincare routine, and any medications you take.
To help you achieve the best results, we recommend that you avoid blood-thinning supplements and medications for at least a week before the injections. We also ask that you do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
On the day of your Botox appointment, don’t wear makeup or use any lotions or creams on the treatment areas. We will start by cleaning your face before proceeding with the injections.
How many you will need will depend on the results you want, as well as the size of the treatment area. And once we finish with the injections, you are free to get right back to your life.
Recovery and Aftercare
There is no real downtime associated with Botox injections, but there are a few activities to avoid. For instance, don’t drink alcohol for a few days, and avoid blood thinners like aspirin and ibuprofen. You should also make sure not to rub, scratch, or put pressure on the treatment area because doing so can displace Botox.
And to potentially improve results, try sleeping with your head slightly raised for the first night. Furthermore, it’s best that you don’t use saunas and hot tubs or engage in strenuous physical activity for the first 24 hours after treatment.
How Long Does Botox Take to Work?
You can expect to start seeing some results within three to four days after the injections, though the full results may not be visible until a week has passed. The rule of thumb is that the lighter the fine lines are, the faster you will see results.
Treated crow’s feet, for example, can offer results more rapidly than the lines between your eyebrows. The concentration of the product — as well as how the Botox is injected — can also affect how quickly you see the results.
Why does it take a few days? Botox binds immediately to a protein at the connection point between nerves and muscles that sends messages to the muscles and tells them to move, but it can take a few days to stop the protein from functioning.
How Long Does Botox Last?
This is one of the most common questions clients have. Botox usually lasts between three and six months, but where you receive the injections is a major factor in the timeline. Some areas, like around the lips, tend to last shorter lengths of time.
To maintain results for longer, make sure to moisturize your skin, avoid nicotine, and stay out of the sun without wearing sunscreen. You may also choose to forgo high-intensity workouts because they can increase the rate at which you metabolize the Botox injections.
Get a Smoother Look
If you don’t want to see fine lines and wrinkles every time you look in the mirror, Botox injections can help. With a quick and minimally invasive procedure, you can enjoy smoother skin. At Advanced Life Clinic in Huntsville, AL, we offer a variety of injectables to help you achieve the look you want. Contact us today for a consultation.
