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Will Getting Regular Botox Injections Lead to Long Term Results?

asked 3 years ago by momof2lilones in austin, tx
Latest answer by George J. Beraka, MD
Question viewed 3,737 times

I am 35 and have a few fine lines around the eyes and more noticeable wrinkles in my forehead.

Is there any benefit to getting Botox in my forehead and around my eyes then letting it completely wear off and then waiting another month or 2 before getting more? It is a pretty expensive habit and I am wondering if this will help at all for long term wrinkle prevention.

12 answers to Will Getting Regular Botox Injections Lead to Long Term Results?

Does Botox Last Longer if I Do it Regularly?

Hi Momof2lilones. We have found that our patients that have Botox injected very consistently every 3-4 months have an easier time maintaining their results. In patients that come sporadically, they can expect the results to be gone after 3-4 months. For those that come consistently, when they come at 3-4 month intervals, they are just starting to see their results slip. We believe the reason for this is that when the muscles that cause wrinkles are consistently relaxed from the Botox, they... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Best to have repeat Botox injections on a timely basis

Thanks for your question. I think most physician users of Botox agree that it is best not to wait long periods after the effects of Botox has worn off before receiving another injection. It is better to have the repeat injections while you still can observe some the effects of Botox, with targeted muscle weakening still present. I must also stress the importance of good skin care to further retard the effects of aging! Use good sunscreens and topical anti-oxidants! I hope you find this... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Long-term results possible with regular Botox injections

I personally have been getting Botox injections to the #11 lines between my eyebrows for over 4 years. Frankly, it looks better now than when I started, and I believe that by avoiding the "peaks and valleys" of letting it wear off, you can actually get some atrophy of the muscles which cause the wrinkles. So, in summary, indeed I do think that there is long term benefit of regular Botox injections. As with all medical issues, you should discuss this with your personal physician... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Let your wallet help you decide

No one really knows the long-term cosmetic benefit of continuous Botox use. There have not been any good research studies to show a cumulative benefit. There is some evidence, however, that redosing Botox before it has completely worn off will lead to longer term, more effective wrinkle reduction. But does getting Botox continuously for 20 years make a difference? Again, no one knows. If you are having financial difficulty acquiring Botox, then don't obtain it. Go back to the basics of good... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

The Benefits of Regularly Timed Botox Injections Versus "Poor Man's Botox"

Hi Momo, Studies have shown that after two years of denervation, muscles atrophy (get smaller, weaker). The muscles that are causing your lines, if continuously treated with Botox for two years, will also atrophy and not be as likely to create wrinkles. There are some added benefits of continuously treating with Botox including improved tone, texture, and pores. Michael Kane, MD of NYC presented his findings last year on this subject at the Aesthetic Show. As far as expense goes, there... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Let your wallet be you guide.

Everything about cosmetic surgery is a balancing act between cost and down time. There is no evidence that one ages more or less slowly by maintaining the BOTOX effect. You should be guide by what is financially comfortable. So if you pass by a mirror and notice that your BOTOX is not working as much as it did in the past, there is no harm in putting off retreatment until it is financially comfortable to be retreated.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Early use of Botox prevents deep etched lines.

Hi. If lines are treated with Botox on a regular basis, they tend to remain more superficial. Once the lines are "carved" into the skin, then relaxing the muscles with Botox will not erase the lines, and you need Restylane, laser resurfacing, or other treatments.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Botox and long term results

I have found that if patients present regularly (every 3-4 months) for Botox treatments, there results are better and they avoid the deep etching lines that I see in many patients that have waited years to come in for their first treatment.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Regular Botox will give long-lasting results

Regular Botox decreases the stress on the skin and can help prevent dermal atrophy which results in static wrinkles. However, regular Botox may also increase atrophy of the muscles in which it is injected. This can be a good think or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Botox has a cumulative benefit

The best ways to achieve long-term benefits from Botox (and for filler, for that matter) is to start young and not to allow the effect to totally dissipate. It is like topping off the tank. It also ensures a more natural look not to let it totally wear off. Of course, you can do it occasionally for special occasions, but you will not get the extended benefits, such as postponing face lift and surgery as you would if you not let the result return to baseline.

Mary Lupo, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist

There is some evidence of long-term Botox results

There is some evidence that using Botox so that the results don't completely wear off will lead to longer term, more effective wrinkle reduction. The reason is that the loss of nerve imput causes the muscles that cause the wrinkles to atrophy or weaken. How you balance the benefit vs. the cost will depend on your financial situation. You may also want to use other products like sun blocks, moisturizers, and something like Kinerase.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Botox injections and long-term results

If you are interested in having long-term improvement in the "static" wrinkles (those present at rest but initially caused by underlying muscle activity), it is actually more beneficial to have subsequent botox injections before the effects from the previous injections have fully resolved. This approach also tends to increase the duration of the effects of your botox sessions. Good luck.