How Long Does Botox Last?

by Andy Cheng Director

In 2016, Allergen, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Botox, generated about US$2.3 billion in revenue with Botox alone. To put things in perspective, Botox is consistently ranked among the top 3 aesthetic treatments globally, with more than 6 million Botox treatments administered globally each year.

As a medical aesthetic doctor in Singapore, Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, Medical Director of Radium Medical Aesthetics, frequently gets asked the same question ‘How long does Botox last?’.

We take this opportunity to speak with Dr. Siew to tell us more about Botox and clear up the air about some common myths about the toxin.

What is Botox?

Botox, is in fact a brand name for a type of botulinum toxin. It is commonly used to reduce wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming. When injected into certain areas of the face, botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals to which muscles respond to. When the nerve endings are blocked, the muscles relax and the skin no longer creases.

Where is Botox usually administered?

Botox is a neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum, an organism found in the natural environment where it is largely inactive and non-toxic.

It is one of the most dynamic drugs that is used to treat a wide range of problems ranging from excessive sweating, migraines, dynamic wrinkles and lines.

Precise amounts of botulinum toxin must be injected into the right place in the muscles to avoid any complications.

Botox is a highly versatile drug. Doctors also administer Botox to perform facial sculpting to achieve a slimmer, sharper face by reducing the masseter muscles. Jaw slimming can be achieved with micro-injections of Botox into the masseter muscles to improve jawline definition and slim the lower face.

If administered at the superficial layer of the skin, botulinum toxin is capable of subtly lifting the skin and reducing pores and oiliness of the face, also known as the dermalift treatment.

Botox treatments are minimally invasive and don’t require anesthesia, although some clinics may apply topical anesthetic cream to reduce any discomfort during the procedure.

How long does Botox last?

The effects of Botox last for about 4 to 6 months. The effects will eventually be broken down by the body and the effects will wear off gradually. You need to repeat the treatment once the effects have worn off.

What are the factors that affect the longevity of the treatment?

The longevity of Botox treatment depends on the following factors:

· Amount of Botox administered

· Age of patient

· Elasticity and texture of the skin

· Depth of the wrinkles

· Type of botulinum toxin used – Botox, Dysport, Xeomin

Any side effects to Botox?

“Experienced doctors usually tell their patients in advance not to consume blood-thinning medication and supplements before the treatment so as to avoid bruising,” says Dr. Siew.

“Even with these precautions, sometimes a bruise may occur at one of the injection points, though this is uncommon.” he adds.

Some other less serious side effects may include:

· Muscle weakness at injection areas

· Headache, muscle stiffness, neck or back pain

· Dizziness, drowsiness

· Fever, cough, sore throat

Most minor side effects should pass within 24 to 48 hours.

Will Botox be less effective each time?

Botox will have the same strength each time you undergo the treatment. You may be under the impression that you need more to sustain the result because as you age, your lines become stronger so you need more Botox to give you the same result as before.

Keeping a good daily skincare regime and staying out of the sun are useful ways to soften the appearance of wrinkles. As some point in time, you may need to combine your Botox with skin resurfacing laser treatment and dermal fillers to give you a youthful appearance.

Radium Medical Aesthetics is an aesthetic clinic in Singapore that offers a wide range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as lasers, dermal fillers, skin lifting, and body contouring treatments.