How Often Should You Get Botox®?

Have you noticed vertical creases between your brows that form when you frown or wrinkles at the corners of your eyes when you smile? At first, these lines only appear when your facial expressions crease your skin. Over time, though, they can become deeper and remain even when your face relaxes. Botox® calms the muscle activity that creates expression lines, letting you look refreshed and energized. 

What is Botox® (Botulinum Toxin)?

Whether you have just started to notice your expression lines or have found them getting deeper and more visible, Botox® offers an effective solution. This anti-aging treatment treats fine lines and wrinkles caused by facial muscle movements. It uses a compound called botulinum toxin that interferes with the communication between the targeted facial nerve and the muscles it controls. As a result, the muscles stop pulling your skin, relaxing the creases and wrinkles. 

*Individual Results May Vary

How Does Botox® Work?

The active ingredient in Botox®, botulinum toxin, is known as a neurotoxin or neuromodulator. Calling it a neurotoxin can give the wrong impression about how it works because it is not toxic to your facial nerves or muscles. When injected, it attaches to the targeted nerves and prevents them from releasing a neurotransmitter that tells muscles when to contract. 

The muscles that create your facial wrinkles need signals from your nerves to contract. Without those signals, they allow the skin to relax. You will notice your wrinkles become less noticeable and that they no longer deepen into creases with each facial expression. Since Botox® only targets the facial nerves where it was injected, the rest of your face continues to move as it always would. In the hands of a skilled injector like Dr. Cobbinah and her team at Essential Med Aesthetics, the results look so naturally rejuvenated that no one needs to know you had treatment unless you want them to. 

How Often Should I Get Botox®?

Because Botox® does not harm facial nerves, it will eventually wear off, allowing activity to return to normal. While results vary depending on the individual, Botox® results will develop over about a week. They will last three to four months for most people, although they may last a bit longer for those who have been getting Botox® for a while.

It may take you a few rounds of Botox® to determine how long you can go between treatments while remaining happy with your results. Then, you can schedule your sessions on a timeline that keeps you looking youthful and relaxed. For many people, it becomes a regular part of their skincare routine and a way always to look their best. 

Some people wonder what will happen if they decide to stop getting Botox®. During the time your facial muscles have stayed relaxed, your skin has had a break from being pulled and creased. When the neurotoxin wears off, the muscles become active again. Your lines and wrinkles will, in effect, resume where you paused them when you began treatment, so you will look younger than you would have without it. 

Does Getting Botox® Hurt?

Botox® appointments usually take 15 to 20 minutes. Your injector will apply an ice pack to your skin, a technique that makes the area slightly numb and prevents swelling. The needles used for the injections are tiny, and most people feel no more than a minor pinch. Our expert injectors make your treatment so quick and comfortable that you will barely know you received injections at all. 

What Does Botox® Treat?

When used cosmetically, Botox® is used to treat lines and wrinkles caused by facial muscle activity, especially:

• Crow’s feet (smile lines)
• Glabellar lines (vertical lines between the brows, also called frown lines or the 11s)
• Horizontal forehead lines

Botox® also has many medical uses, indicating its safety and the many possible ways it can help people. It is used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating), migraines, and many types of muscle spasms, even eye muscles. With several decades of research and millions of people enjoying the benefits, Botox® has widely proven its safety and efficacy. Several new variations of botulinum toxin have become available in recent years, but the original remains the most extensively researched. 

Botox® is not effective for treating wrinkles caused by skin laxity. If you have concerns about these types of wrinkles, we may recommend a different treatment, such as microneedling, to tighten your skin with increased collagen. Many people benefit from a combination of treatments to address different signs and causes of aging. 

Is There Any Downtime After Botox®?

One reason people love injectable treatments like Botox® is the ability to squeeze a session into your lunch break and return to work without missing a beat. You may notice minor swelling, bruising, or redness in the treatment area, but no downtime is required, and these effects will fade within a few days. 

Avoid rubbing your face for several hours after your injections, and wait till the following day to resume your exercise routine. Botulinum toxin takes a few hours to reach its destination, and it is important not to disturb it during that time. Once established, it will not move or spread out. Follow any aftercare instructions given by your injector. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®?

Many factors determine whether Botox® is the best option for smoothing your lines and wrinkles. However, most healthy adults are good candidates for this treatment. People interested in Botox® should have realistic expectations, and their wrinkles of concern should be the type that it can treat. 

You can have Botox® at almost any age, with some people starting as early as their 30s. The advantage of starting treatment at the first sign of wrinkles is that it will prevent them from getting worse. Even if you choose to stop having Botox® later, you will look younger due to all that time without muscle contractions. On the other hand, individuals in their 60s and beyond can still see visible improvements in their appearance. 

Botox® is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. You should not have injections in an area where you have an infection, active skin condition, or other irritation. If you are not a good candidate for Botox®, you have many other options for improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about Botox®, please call us at (210) 568-7555 or complete our online contact form, and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you. Essential Med Aesthetics is located in San Antonio, Texas.