Botox is used to improve the appearance of the face and neck by reducing frow lines and wrinkles. Some people use Botox for ‘special occasions’ and it is therefore important that they know exactly how long it will take to work. People often wrongly assume that Botox works immediately but this is not the case.
Does Botox always work?
The simple answer to this question is yes and this is one of the reasons it is so popular. It does however have certain limitations and cannot treat every cosmetic problem you may have. For example, it can treat wrinkles to a certain extent but it cannot treat excessive sagging skin.
During a consultation with your Botox practitioner, you will be informed as to the realistic results you can expect.
Does Botox work immediately?
Botox never works immediately for anyone regardless of how many times you have had the procedure. It normally takes around 4 – 5 days for Botox to have the desired effects. After this point, you should notice a considerable improvement in your appearance and for some people, it can be quite dramatic. The effects will then continue to increase, reaching a peak at around 2 weeks following your first injection. You need to understand however that the results are not permanent and Botox normally lasts for around 4 months. Botox can last longer for some people and this is more likely if you are having a repeat treatment of the same area.
Factors that affect how quickly Botox works:
There are a few factors that may affect how long it takes Botox to work and they are as follows:
- Physiological differences: For reasons not fully understood, some people will find the effects of Botox take longer to materialise than they do for others. If you do not see any improvement in your appearance after 2 weeks then this may mean that you have antibodies in your body that work against the Botox toxin and therefore the effects are lessened. If this is the case you are likely to need additional higher concentration Botox injections.
- Location of injection: Some people may find that the results work faster in certain areas compared to others. People often find that the Botox will work quicker in the neck than compared with the face.
- How many times you have been treated: If it is your first treatment your practitioner may not know what the optimum concentration of Botox is to give you. This may mean that the effects take longer to work and they may wear off quicker.
- Repeat treatment: Some people will find that the effects of Botox appear sooner if they are having the procedure repeated.
In summary, although there is some variation between individuals, most people will start noticing the effects of Botox after around 4 days but the maximum results will not be experienced until around 2 weeks. The procedure will normally last around 4 months after which time it is recommended to have re-treatment if you want to maintain the same results.
Following Botox, you may experience mild redness and a bruised feeling at the site of the injections but you will be able to return to work/normal activities pretty much straight away. Botox side effects are extremely rare and these should be discussed with your practitioner before you undergo your treatment.
