Botox: How Long It Lasts And Other Considerations

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHow long does Botox last?

Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on April 28, 2023

Duration
Definition
Initial effects
What to expect
Considerations
Summary

Typically, cosmetic Botox lasts 3–6 months. However, this can vary depending on a person’s age, the volume of a botox injection, and several other factors.

Botox is an injectable substance that inhibits muscle movement. It can help treat certain health issues, and some people request it for cosmetic reasons.

In this article, we describe what to expect during the appointment, give more information about the effects, and look into risks to consider.

How long does it last?

How long does botox last is most often 3-6 months, including for the mature woman pictured. — A Botox treatment typically lasts 3–6 months.

Research suggests that a cosmetic Botox injection lasts 3–6 months. However, this may vary, depending on:

the person’s age
their sex
their muscle mass
the injection technique
the dilution of the toxin
the volume of the solution
the positioning of the injection

Some research indicates that having multiple Botox injections in the same area may increase the duration of the effects.

For a person hoping to make the effects of Botox last as long as possible, it is important to:

Receive the injections from an experienced and certified medical practitioner who is well-versed in the most effective techniques.
Follow aftercare guidance carefully.

What is Botox?

Botox is the trade name of Botulinum toxin. It is a highly dangerous substance that can be lethal if used incorrectly.

A medicinal or cosmetic dose of Botox blocks certain nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, leading to the relaxation of the muscle that has received the injection.

People typically use Botox to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, doctors also use it to treat certain health issues, such as:

eyelid spasms
drooping eyelids
excessive drooling
excessive sweating
a weakened bladder
cervical dystonia
diabetic neuropathy
chronic migraine

When does it start working?

Some people see results as early as 12 hours after the injection. The full effects, however, are unlikely to appear in the first 14 days.

A person may see the effects sooner if they practice certain facial exercises, authors of a 2019 study report.

What to expect during the procedure

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery describe the process as follows:

First, a person attends a consultation to discuss the treatment and, importantly, to let the doctor know about any health issues or current medications.
At the next appointment, the doctor injects Botox into the desired sites, usually with a very thin needle.
The number of injections depends on the desired results and the area involved.
In most cases, the procedure is very quick.
Some doctors offer a follow-up appointment to check that the area is healing well.

The doctor should recommend aftercare techniques, which may include:

not lying down for 4 hours after the treatment
not massaging or applying heat to the area for 24 hours
avoiding heavy exercise for 24 hours
avoiding alcohol consumption for 24 hours

The aim of these strategies is to prevent the Botox from spreading to other areas and to keep it from thinning the blood. However, more research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms at work and to develop more effective guidance.

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Things to consider

Depending on the area involved and the person’s pain threshold, a Botox injection may be painful. However, the procedure does not typically require an anesthetic.

Also, Botox is temporary, and maintaining the effects can be expensive. The average cost of a Botox injection is $408, according to 2019 estimates from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Although Botox is usually safe, it can cause:

difficulty swallowing
difficulty breathing
generalized muscle weakness
infection

These issues may arise shortly after the appointment or take a few weeks to appear.

Some people should not receive Botox, including those who:

are pregnant
are breastfeeding
are under 18, except when medically necessary
are allergic to any ingredients in the solution
have ever had an adverse reaction to Botox

Summary

Botox is the trade name of Botulinum toxin. People typically use it for cosmetic purposes, but it can also help treat certain health issues.

The effects of cosmetic Botox usually last 3–6 months, though a range of factors can influence this, including the person’s age, the location of the injection, and the injection technique.

Botox may help with cosmetic concerns or treat health issues. However, it can also be expensive, and a number of risks are involved. A doctor can provide more specific information about the potential risks to each person.

Dermatology
Surgery
Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
antiaging
Cat 1

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alam, M., et al. (2019). Effect of postinjection facial exercise on time of onset of botulinum toxin for glabella and forehead wrinkles: A randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial.https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(18)32743-9/pdf
Botox-type injectables. (n.d.).https://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/page/BotoxInjections?&hhsearchterms=%22botox%22
Botulinum toxin. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin/cost
Dover, J. S., et al. (2018). Botulinum toxin in aesthetic medicine: Myths and realities.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821482/
Durand, P., et al. (2016). Botulinum toxin and muscle atrophy: A wanted or unwanted effect.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/4/482/2613920
Dutta, S., et al. (2016). Botulinum toxin the poison that heals: A brief review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5242063/
Escher, C., et al. (2017). Botulinum toxin in the management of chronic migraine: Clinical evidence and experience.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367647/
Ghasemi, M., et al. (2014). The effects of intradermal botulinum toxin type A injections on pain symptoms of patients with diabetic neuropathy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999594/
Koshy, J. C., et al. (2012). Effect of dietary zinc and phytase supplementation on botulinum toxin treatments [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22453589/
Nestor, M., et al. (2017). Key parameters for the use of Abobotulinumtoxin A in aesthetics: Onset and duration.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5434495/
Satriyasa, B. K. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: A literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. .https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489637/#:~:text=This%20effect%20will%20last%20three,reduced%20muscle%20paralysis%20over%20time
Small, R. (2014). Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0801/p168.html
Sürmelioğlu, Ö., et al. (2018). The effectiveness of Botulinum toxin type A injections in the management of sialorrhea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6123118/
Yiannakopoulou, E. (2015). Serious and long-term adverse events associated with the therapeutic and cosmetic use of Botulinum toxin. https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/370245

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Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on April 28, 2023

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