How Soon Will Botox Start Working?

BOTOX is an injectable muscle relaxant that can address many cosmetic and medical concerns caused by muscle hyperactivity. At CAS MEDISPA in Bloomington, IN, we often have people ask about this safe, effective, versatile treatment, and we are most frequently asked about how quickly this injectable starts working. Today, we’re answering this and several other questions we often get about this treatment.

How Soon Will BOTOX Start Working?

BOTOX starts working as soon as it is injected, but you should not anticipate seeing your desired results as soon as your treatment is complete. Rather, you can expect to see an initial improvement in your cosmetic concerns roughly one to four days after we administer the injectable. You can feel pretty confident that you can enjoy your desired results seven to 14 days after your treatment session.

Other Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

To determine if you qualify for BOTOX, you need to attend an initial consultation to discuss your health, concerns, and goals. During your consultation, we will also discuss what preparation and aftercare rules you must follow to qualify, and we will advise you on what results you can realistically expect. Furthermore, we will answer any questions you have.

Generally, you can expect to qualify for this treatment if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding and you are between the ages of 18 and 65. However, there are several contraindications for this treatment, including a history of anaphylaxis, an allergy to bovine protein, and hypertension. You also must have muscle-related cosmetic concerns to be considered a good candidate for this treatment.

What Preparation Guidelines Must Be Followed?

One of the most important preparation guidelines to follow is to not smoke or drink alcohol before your treatment. This is important for several reasons. One of the most significant reasons is that it can increase your blood pressure too much. Another very important rule to follow is to not take any blood-thinning drugs or supplements.

What Should I Expect During My Treatment Session?

You can expect your treatment session to be quick and comfortable. We use a tiny needle to administer the medication, and we can use a topical numbing cream to numb your skin before your treatment if you are wary of needles. Depending on the scope of your treatment, you can generally expect your session to take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete.

Before your injections are administered, we will inspect the targeted areas to confirm that they are free from irritation. Then, we will cleanse the targeted areas with an alcohol-based antiseptic to mitigate the risk of infection. After that, we will use a sterile needle to inject the prescription medication into several strategic locations in your areas of concern. Typically, you will get three to five injections per problem area.

How Long Will the Results of My Treatment Last?

If you have never received BOTOX injections before, your desired results may only last for a couple of months. This is because we use a smaller dose of the injectable during your first treatment session to observe how it affects your muscles. Once you get several treatment sessions, especially when you come in promptly for touch-up sessions, you may be able to enjoy your desired results for up to six months.

We can give you a better idea of how long you can expect your desired results to last during your initial consultation. An evaluation is necessary because there are many factors impacting the durability of this injectable muscle relaxant treatment. For instance, the areas you are targeting for treatment affect the duration of your desired results. The severity of your concerns also plays a role.

What Can I Do to Extend the Longevity of My Results?

To enjoy your desired results for as long as possible, you need to make healthy lifestyle choices. For example, you need to protect your skin from sun damage. You should avoid sunlight as much as possible when the sun’s UV rays are extremely strong. You should also wear SPF35 or more protective sunscreen and reapply ​it roughly every four hours.

Another highly effective step you can take to maintain your ideal results is to stay hydrated. Generally, you should drink ​between eight and 16 cups of hydrating fluids daily. It is also important ​to moisturize once or twice daily.

What Aftercare Guidelines Must Be Followed?

One of the most important aftercare guidelines to follow is to not smoke or drink alcohol. You also may not take any blood-thinning drugs or supplements. You also need to protect your skin from sun damage. Another important aftercare guideline to follow is to keep yourself hydrated and well-nourished. Furthermore, you need to avoid excessive heat and sweating.

You should not engage in vigorous physical activity for 24 hours after your injection session. You also need to avoid anything else that can cause excessive sweating, like sitting in a sauna or steam room. Additionally, it is extremely important that you do not lie down for four hours after your injections are administered. You should also avoid subjecting the areas to too much pressure.

What Areas Can This Injectable Treat?

This injectable muscle relaxant can be administered in virtually any area that is negatively affected by overactive muscles. It is usually used to treat crow’s feet crinkling around the outer corners of the eyes. It is also commonly used to erase nasolabial folds and glabellar lines. During your initial consultation, we will determine the cause of your cosmetic concerns and advise you on the best treatment for your unique needs.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that BOTOX starts working immediately, but it may be between one and four days before you start seeing an improvement in your appearance. However, it may take up to two weeks for your final results to become apparent. To find out if this injectable muscle relaxant is right for you, schedule an initial consultation with us today at CAS MEDISPA in Bloomington, IN.