How long does it take for Botox® to work?
At BTX London in Clapham, Dr Raman will take you through a comprehensive consultation process. During the consultation, he will take a detailed medical history and facial assessment. From this, he will be able to formulate a treatment plan that best suits your personal needs or concerns. He will also explain how Botox® works and more importantly, how long it takes to work and why.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is the brand name for one of the cosmetic licences botulinum toxins available on the market. The 3 most popular brands of botulinum toxin are Boccuture, Azzalure and Botox®. All 3 brands are licensed for aesthetic use on the face and they all have the same effect. At BTX London Dr Raman has experience using all of these brands.
How does Botox® work?
When we use our facial muscles for example when we frown or raise our eyebrows – we contract the muscle. The contraction of facial muscles creates visible facial lines. Initially, these are dynamic lines that disappear when the muscles relax. Over time and with the repeated use of these same muscles the lines become permanent or static lines. Once a line is static, it will remain visible even when the muscle is relaxed.
Botox®/anti-wrinkle injections work by preventing muscle contraction and therefore maintaining the muscle in a relaxed state. They, therefore, prevent the process by which static lines can develop.
The commonest areas on the face where Botox® is used cosmetically are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the forehead lines and the smile lines around the eyes.
How long does Botox® take to work?
Botox® results are not instant. It is a common mistake that first-time clients will attend the treatment the day or two before a big event and unfortunately learn that the results will not have taken effect until after the event. In Dr Raman’s experience, clients typically start to see improvement from day 3-5 post-treatment. Maximal results usually present from days 7-14 after the treatment. We always stress that the final result is not until day 14.
There are various factors that can affect the speed of onset. These include the age, gender, depth of lines, the quantity of Botox® injected and the elasticity of your skin.
We advise clients to attend at least 2 weeks before a major event such as a party or wedding as it will allow the Botox® to have fully taken effect and if any top-up is required this can be done in time. It also factors in the small risk of bruising that can sometimes occur post-Botox® treatment.
Why does it take time for Botox® to start working?
It takes time to work because once injected, Botox® has to travel from the needles to the cellular level of the muscle.
How often should I have Botox®?
In general, Botox® lasts between 3 and 5 months. We advise clients to schedule their appointments for between 3-5 months. By stopping the wrinkles before they complexly develop again you prevent the ageing of the skin and also maintain a natural result throughout the year.
In Summary, Botox® is a prescription medication and should only be administered by the prescribing doctor. The doctor should be experienced in aesthetic medicine.
At BTX London in Clapham, you will be seen and treated by Dr Anand Raman, who has over 15 years of experience in non-surgical medical aesthetics.
He will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs. The Botox® treatment will take approximately 15-20 minutes. It is safe and non-invasive. Results will typically start to show around day 3-5 and the final result will be on day 14. After 3-5 months, you will start to see a gradual return to normal movement.
Feel free to book in for a no-obligation consultation at BTX London in Clapham to discuss things further.