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If you are like most people who get Botox and love the results, a common question you may ask yourself is how often do I need to get botox to keep up my results? Read along to find out our answer as well as some of our favorite tips + tricks to get the most out of your treatments!
How does Botox actually work?
Before we dig into the answer – I think it is important for our patients to understand the basics of how neuromodulators (aka Botox, xeomin, etc.) work. Put quite simply, toxins are injected superficially into the muscles and tell the nerves to stop sending signals to the muscles. This over time causes the muscles to weaken and stop contracting.
It takes approximately 14 days, or two full weeks for Botox to reach its full effect, although some people may start to notice results within just a few days. At two weeks though, this is where we feel that patients should have their “end result” and if they need a small tweak to get things perfect, this is the best time to come in.
Does the length between treatments matter?
Now, time to answer the question you came here for! Once your toxin has reached its full potential, you can expect your results to last on average anywhere between 3-4 months. An easy way we tell patients to think of this is to come in for their Botox appointments quarterly. It is important to try and stay on a schedule if possible so that you can keep the muscles from regaining their strength back. Staying on a 3-4 month routine will not only help you get the best and most consistent results, but it will also help keep the muscles weakened. Keeping these muscles weak may help you save $$ in the long run. It will also help keep static wrinkles from worsening or even forming at all!
What if my Botox wears off quicker than 3-4 months?
Now, in a perfect world everyone would have little to no movement at the end of 4 months, however, this is an average and there are many components that play into how long each person’s results will last. While some people may have little to no movement for most of their treatment duration, a realistic goal is to have a positive improvement from your baseline prior to treatment for 3-4 months.
Some of the factors that may affect Botox longevity we cannot change (ie metabolism, genetics, etc.), but there are some things you can do to get the most out of your treatment! One of the most important things we recommend is to be on a good, consistent, medical-grade skincare routine! Other things you can do to help get the most out of your treatment include facials, Microneedling, chemical peels, and facial lasering.
Stay wrinkle free out there.
Xoxo,
Claire @ Arabella
