Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet or neck lines: For those who suffer excessively from natural skin aging, a treatment with Botox is often the remedy of choice. How long does the active ingredient actually last? What else should patients know before opting for a Botox treatment?
Many of my patients come to my office with a set of preconceived notions about Botox. Often, it requires a thorough explanation in order to understand how the substance works and its possibilities for visual skin rejuvenation.
Basically, the active ingredient Botox can be used both aesthetically and medically. While medical use is aimed at treating conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating, bladder dysfunction or chronic migraines, the aesthetic use of Botox is often aimed at treating wrinkles and fine lines, especially in the face.
Typical applications include forehead wrinkles: Here, Botox is used to smooth forehead wrinkles and reduce the appearance of worry lines. Botox treatment is also popular for frown lines, which are vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows. Other use cases include crow’s feet, which are fine lines and wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes, and neck lines, where Botox is used to tighten the neck area.
How and when does Botox work?
By means of targeted injections into the muscles responsible for the formation of wrinkles, Botox temporarily relaxes the muscles, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The full effect of Botox is not visible immediately after the injection. The muscles relax gradually and the improvements set in gradually.
Usually, Botox starts working within a few days to a week after the injection. The exact time span varies slightly from person to person. Factors that affect this include both the body part being treated, but also the amount of dosage, muscle activity as well as preparation and aftercare. Aside from that, everyone reacts differently to Botox, and its effects can be noticed more quickly in some people than in others.
Botox has a temporary effect: treatments must be repeated
It is also important to know that the effect of Botox is only temporary. So, the treatment must be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the results.
How long does Botox last?
In average, a Botox treatment usually has a duration of effectiveness of about 3 to 6 months. After this time, the muscles begin to move again, and the small lines and wrinkles may gradually return. Therefore, it is important to repeat the treatment at regular intervals for best results.
The duration of the effect also varies depending on which area is being treated. For example, some areas of the face have a longer duration of effect than others. I will advise you about this in detail in my practice before a potential Botox treatment.
How often can I undergo a Botox treatment?
In order for the aesthetic result to remain as desired, it is essential to have a booster treatment in time. As a doctor, I will help you determine the best time for your next Botox injection and set up a long-term treatment plan.
The frequency with which you may undergo Botox treatment depends on several factors: both your individual needs and aesthetic goals, but also your own reaction to the treatment.
Is Botox really safe?
Many of my patients are concerned about whether Botox is really safe and harmless with respect to their health. From my years of experience as an aesthetic surgeon, I can say that Botox is generally safe when properly administered by qualified and experienced medical professionals.
Of course, as with any medical treatment, side effects such as headaches or redness or swelling at the injection site can sometimes occur. These are usually temporary and disappear after a short time.
Contraindications to Botox treatment are pregnancy and breastfeeding: so if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, I advise against treatment; likewise people with certain neuromuscular diseases.
Comprehensive consultation in my practice
If you would like to know more about the treatment options with Botox and how Botox can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, I will give you thorough and comprehensive advice on this in my practice.
Once the decision to undergo Botox treatment has been made, I will also provide you with detailed tips and instructions on how to prepare for the Botox injection as well as aftercare, as proper preparation and care after treatment can affect the quality of the results.
