Why Doesn’t My Botox Last as Long or “Freeze” Me Anymore?
So you’ve been keeping up your Botox treatments 3 to 4 times per year for a while, and you’re delighted with the results: your skin is smooth, your wrinkles never last longer than a smile, and strangers can’t guess your age. Mission accomplished!
But over time, you may notice that your treatments don’t last quite as long. A visit that used to keep your forehead wrinkle-free for 3 months is now lasting only 2 or so.
So, what happened?
The short answer is: nothing happened. Your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to!
It is natural for Botox to taper off in its effectiveness, because the neuromodulators used for the treatment are temporary—and that’s a good thing. You wouldn’t want to be injecting your facial muscles with something that relaxes them permanently!
So, instead, Botox is designed to be administered at doses that are safe – AKA not permanent – but still last as long as possible. That range can be anywhere from 2 to 4 months, if injected with appropriate dosage. Remember that dosage equals longevity.
The general guidelines for Botox timelines are:
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Start with the dose recommended by your provider, then assess how your unique muscles respond to Botox. Everyone has different muscle masses and will metabolize the drug at different rates, so sometimes at your next treatment the dose can be increased. Also, wait at least two weeks to see whether you’d like to touch up your initial treatment—it takes a full 14 days for the product to settle.
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Remember that everybody is different! The average dosage of 64 units for forehead, 11’s, and crows feet and average longevity of 3 months are just that: averages! Some people will need fewer or more units, and some people will experience shorter or longer treatment effects.
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Once you’ve established a dosage that works for you, return every 3-4 months or when you notice wrinkles returning. It is important not to return before 3 months, because that’s an easy way to develop a resistance to Botox—which would mean your muscles no longer respond to the treatment as well.
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If you’ve been using Botox for a long time and are experiencing waning results, consider fillers and collagen induction treatments. It may just be that age is reducing the elastin, collagen, or fat volume in your face, and Botox won’t affect the wrinkles resulting from those changes.
So, Minted Beauty, whatever your Botox experience these days—you’re doing nothing wrong. Simply communicating with your provider and listening to your body are all you need to do to make sure you’re having a healthy, safe, effective Botox experience.
And if reading this has reminded you that you’re due for a treatment—book an appointment and come on in to our Middletown, DE, or Lewes, DE, offices.
