When to Schedule a Botox Touch-up

We get wrinkles for a variety of reasons, including the loss of collagen and elastin in our skin as we age, overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, environmental factors, smoking, and repetitive facial expressions.

Just as they have many causes, wrinkles have many treatments. But Botox® still ranks as the most popular noninvasive method, with 4.4 million injections performed in 2020 alone.

However, once you’ve experienced the difference this muscle-relaxing injectable can make in your skin, you might wonder: How long does it last?

At their three New York City locations, Dr. Javier Zelaya and the skilled medical team at Skinworks Dermatology can answer this question and advise you on how often to schedule touch-ups to get the most out of your Botox treatments.

Basics about Botox

Botox is the brand name for a neurotoxin created from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria that’s administered by injection. 

Cosmetic treatments for facial wrinkles — examples include frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and wrinkles around the mouth and nose — use low doses of Botox, with the injections targeting the muscle groups causing your wrinkles.

The Botox procedure

Before treatment begins, we evaluate the areas that need to be treated to meet your cosmetic goals. We may apply a topical anesthetic before the injections, though it isn’t always necessary. The needles are quite thin, and the injections don’t go far beneath the skin.

Once the injections begin, you might feel a sensation akin to a pinch, but the procedure isn’t painful. Afterward, you may experience mild redness and swelling at the injection site, but that fades in a day or two.

When to schedule Botox touch-ups

Once the procedure is complete, you can generally expect to see results within 1-3 days, with full results lasting up to four months.

To maximize effectiveness, avoid rubbing the injection site and don’t engage in intense physical activity for at least a day. Don’t lie down for at least four hours after the Botox is applied. 

Touch-up sessions should be scheduled 3-4 months after the first treatment. But because injections over time can lessen the appearance of wrinkles even after Botox is out of your system, Dr. Zelaya may recommend waiting longer between touch-ups.

Botox injections are a quick and straightforward way to look younger with fewer wrinkles and creases on your face. If you’re ready to see the difference Botox can make, call the Skinworks Dermatology location in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online.