As unfortunate as it sounds, good things don’t always last forever. This is true when it comes to eating a delicious ice cream cone, a great discount sale, and yes, the results of some cosmetic procedures. BOTOX® Cosmetic, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed, is used to reduce the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet. It also has other uses outside of reducing wrinkles, including treating muscle spasms and reducing excessive sweating. Although it produces great results, its effects don’t last forever.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is made up of a toxin called Clostridium Botulinum. When injected in small amounts, BOTOX® Cosmetic is used to paralyze nerves and muscles in the face temporarily, which prevents patients from making common facial expressions that cause wrinkles and fine lines. In addition, BOTOX® can be used to temporarily paralyze sweat glands under the arms to prevent perspiration. Once the BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected, results are usually noticed about 3 days afterwards, with the full results taking up to 2 weeks. However, the results will slowly begin to wear off over time.
One cannot determine exactly how long the BOTOX® Cosmetic results will last since every person is different. In general, the effects usually last about four months. However, there are several factors that could possibly make the effects wear off faster. This includes health, age, weight, heredity, location of treatment, etc. Other factors that play into the longevity of Botox are the location in which the BOTOX® Cosmetic solution is stored at your doctor’s office, how your doctor injects the solution into your skin and muscles and the dosing he/she uses.
Since many factors that affect the longevity of your BOTOX® Cosmetic results are unavoidable, there is no way of determining how long you will see results. Nevertheless, BOTOX® Cosmetic is not just a one-time-shot solution; you can continue to receive injections once the results have worn off (about every 3-4 months) to maintain your desired results. Be sure to ask about the number of units used in each location since this can help to determine if you need a higher or lower dose the next time.
If you are interested in BOTOX® Cosmeticand live in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills area, please contact Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. Pasadena cosmetic surgeon Dr. Martin O’Toole can evaluate you individually to help you decide if BOTOX® Cosmetic is a great option for you.