Main image courtesy of All About Vision.
If you’re concerned that you may be starting to develop wrinkles, not to worry, there are options for you. As we age, our skin starts to lose its natural collagen and elasticity, resulting in skin that’s less firm. In order to combat wrinkles and lines, many people choose to take collagen supplements, create a better skincare routine, or get botox injections. You might even consider doing a combination of all three!
But what are botox injections, and how long do they take to work? Will you notice the effects immediately? Glad you asked, because in this article we’re going to delve a little deeper into:
- What botox injections are and why you might consider them
- How long does it take for botox to work?
- Why does it take time to work?
- How long can you expect the effects to last?
What is Botox and Why Would You Consider It?
Why should you consider getting botox?
Botox injections are a great way to smooth out wrinkles and look younger. Image courtesy of McCarthy Dentistry.
If you’ve ever considered doing something about your facial wrinkles, chances are you’ve stumbled on botox injections. These injections of the neurotoxin Clostridium botulinum are done to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines in the facial skin. When you get botox injections, they are administered directly at the site where you wish to lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Typically this is:
- Between your eyebrows
- The corner of your eyes (crow’s feet)
- Your smile lines
- Chin
- Jaw
- Forehead
When botox is injected, it works to stop the muscle below the surface of your skin from contracting. By blocking the chemical signals from your nerves, botox relaxes the facial muscles. The result is a smoothing out–or even disappearance–of wrinkles.
Many people choose to get this procedure because it is a fast, convenient, and easy way to look years younger. There is no set age when you should start to get botox, if you decide to get it. Speak to your botox provider in more detail to learn how this procedure may be able to get you the results you’re looking for.
How Long Does it Take for Botox to Work?
How long can you expect to wait for botox to work?
Will you start to notice the results of your botox injections immediately? Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Getting botox injections is a very straightforward procedure. It can be administered right in your doctor’s or dentist’s office. Once you decide where you would like your botox injections, your provider will then clean the area and might even administer a topical anesthesia to help with any discomfort. They will then inject the botox to the sites where you’d like to see less wrinkles.
That’s it! Afterwards you can continue with your normal activities for the rest of the day. However, your doctor or dentist will recommend that you listen to the following suggestions after your procedure for the best possible results:
- Stay in an upright position for the rest of the day
- Don’t rub or massage your treated areas
- Avoid strenuous exercise or activities
If you want to know how long it takes for botox to work, most healthcare providers give a range, because everyone responds to treatments differently. The earliest you may see results could be in three to four days. However, it’s recommended that you wait the full 14 days after your injections to see results.
The amount of time it takes for you to see the results also depends on how often you’ve gotten botox, what area you had treated, as well as the size of the dosage of botox. Some people find that after their first dose it takes a little longer to see results. When they go back for subsequent doses, they notice that the time it takes for botox to work is shorter.
Everyone responds a little differently, so while one person might notice results in a few days, for other people it may take more like 7-10 days. Just be patient and if after the full 14 days you’re still not noticing the results you want, contact your botox provider and they may be able to assist you with a touch up.
Why Does it Take Time to Work?
Why are the results of botox not immediate?
When you get botox injections, you may be wondering why it takes at the least a few days to notice results–and at the most two weeks. Why is this? When botox is administered under the skin, it binds at a certain point with muscles and nerves. From there it interferes with the nerve messages telling the muscles to move. This process can take several days to turn off and prevent the muscle from moving.
Once the botox has successfully prevented the muscle from moving, you notice the wrinkles and lines starting to smooth out.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
How long will your botox injections last?
Although botox can take a few days to work, the results are worth it. Image courtesy of NBC News.
While it may take a few days and up to two weeks to see the full results of your botox injections, the good news is that they can last for months! However, nothing lasts forever and you can expect to see the movement of your muscles returning by month three or four. Typically the range for botox lasting is around four to six months, but how long you see the results can depend on:
- Your age
- Gender
- The elasticity of your skin
- The intensity of your wrinkles
While you may have to wait a few days to see the full results of your botox injections, chances are you’re going to enjoy them for months afterwards. If you’re interested in learning more about botox, consider contacting Dr. Elizabeth Wakim today!