Will Getting Regular Botox Injections Lead to Long Term Results?

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 is always "Poor Man's Botox", which involves growing out your bangs.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

It's best to have touchups once you notice that the results are starting fade away. Studies have shown that doing this can prolong your results.

If you get treatments performed regularly, studies have shown that your results can last longer.  However, it is difficult to say when you would start experiencing the longer lasting results exactly so you should keep track of your results to figure that out, then adjust your treatment plan accordingly. You should make sure to have your next treatment while you still have some residual improvement, though.

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 atrophy (or shrink from lack of use). Because these wrinkles are caused by muscle movement, the visibility of these wrinkles lessen as the muscles weaken with repeated Botox use.
The bottom line is that our patients that are consistent users of Botox end up holding onto their results the longest and this is a compelling reason to stay consistent. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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 for their advice.

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.