How Long Does Botox Last?

21 Feb

When you choose to undergo cosmetic procedures such as having Botox injections, you want to be sure that you’re getting what you pay for. You want results that look good and that last to keep you looking and feeling your best for as long as possible. It’s an investment in yourself.

Many women who come to Lucy's Marylebone clinic for Botox Treatments - to soften frown lines and forehead lines (the etched lines of negative emotion) and want to know how long cosmetic Botox injections will last. Not only to keep a consistent look but to get the most out of your investment.

This blog will answer that question. We will also discuss ways to prolong your results and, if necessary, when it might be the right time to consider alternative Botulinum Toxin Type A brands, such as Azzalure.

Botox can help restore a natural-looking balance and softness to your face. Lucy uses it to target specific facial muscles to smooth out, and prevent the further formation of etched lines and wrinkles, whilst providing a gentle lift. A natural looking “airbrush” #nofilters!

Let's explore more about what Botox is, how it works, and how long your results will last.

Botox Basics

Botox is a cosmetic injectable made from botulinum toxin type A and derived from clostridium botulinum. The Botox procedure is simple to receive, as long as you are in safe and experienced hands. Precise botulinum toxin injections are administered into the facial muscles that cause facial wrinkles. The experience comes from knowing which (and what portion) of the muscles to rest, and to what extent, and which to leave. Ultimately you want a naturally airbrushed look, which is in sync. with the face as a whole.

Botox temporarily blocks nerve impulses and signals that cause facial movement. With these impulses blocked, muscle activity is reduced around the injection sites. This allows the skin to rest and regenerate, softening lines such as forehead (glabellar) lines, frown lines, and crow's feet.

When done well, Botox results look natural and give the skin a refreshed and balanced look. The wonderful thing about Botox is that no new lines will develop until the toxin wears off. It is important to stay on top of fresh treatments in order to keep a consistent look.

Botox Injections with Lucy Banks

At her London clinic, in Marylebone, Lucy delivers Botox cosmetic treatments with a focus on enhancing your natural beauty. There are a range of treatments available to address a variety of common aesthetic concerns - from managing lines and wrinkles to lifting the brow.

The best Botox results are usually seen when there is still some preservation of movement - it is important to be able to express yourself while reducing how noticeable any visible lines are. One of the discussion points is how you present to the world. For example, if you are an actor or performer, you often need full expression when performing, helping to dictate the timings of treatment in between. Another example is if you are getting married or having a big event coming up; you want the arch to flow so that you have almost full movement whilst remaining airbrushed at rest.

Lucy takes an easy-does-it approach, ensuring that each treatment is administered with a gentle hand and your individual aesthetic is respected. Each cosmetic Botox treatment is designed to help you boost and maintain your signature look. It is no surprise, then, that Lucy Banks' patients want to preserve their results for as long as possible.

The Botox Therapy Process at Lucy's Marylebone Clinic

No matter which Botox treatment you are undertaking, the start of your aesthetic journey with Lucy will always begin the same way - with a comprehensive consultation. This consultation helps Lucy understand your aesthetic goals and assess the treatment area.

Lucy will begin by talking with you about your beauty goals and expectations. She will then carefully identify the specific muscles in your face that are responsible for the lines or wrinkles.

On your treatment day, Lucy will sterilise your face and then administer Botox to the treatment areas through a series of small injections with a fine needle.

After your treatment, you may see some very minor swelling or bruising around the treated areas and at the injection sites, but this will quickly subside over the next day or so. Your results will appear gradually over the next few weeks, with a follow-up appointment scheduled to help ensure everything looks just right.

How Long Do Botox Treatments Take?

A typical Botox treatment at our Manchester Square clinic usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes - this can vary from procedure to procedure. The procedure is generally quite quick, and you will be able to resume your daily activities almost immediately following your treatment - although patients are advised to stay upright for a few hours following their treatment to ensure optimal results.

How Long Do Botox Results Last?

Focusing on achieving natural-looking enhancements helps to ensure that your Botox results look as good as possible for as long as possible - but the longevity of your results will vary depending on a few individual factors.

Botox typically lasts for around three to four months. However, your results can wear off a little faster in areas with high muscle activity. Some underlying health conditions may also mean that your body breaks down Botox at a slightly faster rate, and stress also has a big impact on how quickly our bodies break down Botox.

People who are very active and regularly partake in strenuous exercise, or indeed people who enjoy visiting the saunas or spas for heat treatments regularly or spend a lot of time in the sun, may also find that their Botox results don't last quite as long.

Some patients may require a second treatment sooner than others if Botox wear is more rapid. It is also important to understand that the more natural result you desire, requires honed expertise and a light hand, but a lower dose, strategically placed. This means that the maintenance is required at more regular intervals. Botox results may last longer with each subsequent treatment, as the muscles “unlearn” their behaviour.

How Can I Help My Botox Results Last Longer?

Over the years, Lucy has developed a few tips and tricks for helping her patients retain their Botox results for as long as possible. These include include:

1.) Injecting higher doses as certain points in the head and neck, ensuring that lift and movement are maintained in the right places, with the ‘bits in the background” holding firm.

2.) Avoid certain activities like strenuous exercise or regular heat treatments. Intense activity and high temperatures can accelerate the breakdown of the toxin thanks to an increase in blood circulation. This leads to the Botox molecules dispersing at a faster rate.

3.) Some patients find that taking zinc supplements before and after their Botox treatments can help them maintain their results.

Azzalure

Although, much like Hoover, everybody knows the injectable wrinkle relaxing treatment as “Botox”, Botox is a brand name. Whilst of the highest quality, with predictable and replicable results, some patients find that they are less susceptible to Botox, meaning that the results break down faster than expected. In these cases, Lucy uses Azzalure as she has found that it will often provide longer-lasting results in these cases. Both are FDA approved Botulinum Toxin Type A products, they are just produced in different ways,

Azzalure is an alternative anti-wrinkle treatment option that is made from the same toxin as Botox. Azzalure is injected in the same way as Botox, but it has a slightly different formulation. This means that it may be more effective than Botox for some people.

If you are finding that your Botox results are consistently fading faster than the average three to four months, Lucy can discuss the potential advantages of switching to Azzalure during your consultation.

The Lucy Banks Beauty Ethos

True beauty is about embracing and celebrating your natural self. Lucy believes in enhancing what you already have rather than transforming your appearance drastically.

Lucy has mastered the art of subtle enhancements through procedures that work gently to refresh your skin. Her philosophy is centred on a "less-is-more" approach that respects your unique features while achieving a balanced, refined look.

Lucy's expertise and dedication ensure that every treatment is executed with precision, and her commitment to ethical practices and patient-centred care helps create a nurturing environment, where patients can maintain their natural beauty and vitality.

Lucy's Final Thoughts

Botox results generally last three to four months, but this can vary from person to person - from their desired aesthetic to their muscle strength and metabolic breakdown. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can give your Botox the boost it needs to last as long as possible. If Botox does not last for the expected amount of time, you can explore alternative injectable Botulinum Toxin treatments, such as Azzalure.

If you’re looking for a way to refresh your appearance and achieve natural-looking results to highlight your beauty, without looking overdone, book a Botox consultation with Lucy Banks.

Botox Longevity FAQs