How Long Does Botox Take To Work? Timeline And More - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeHow Long Does Botox Take to Work?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Sara Lindberg — Updated on July 18, 2025

How long for results?
Areas of the face
Why it takes time
How it feels
Last how long?
Find a provider
Takeaway

Some people report seeing the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days following injections, but most people will see results within 10 to 14 days.

If onabotulinumtoxinA, a neurotoxin derived from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, is a term you’ve never heard before, you’re not alone. Otherwise known as Botox Cosmetic, this prescription medication temporarily paralyzes facial muscles and helps reduce the noticeable appearance of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines.

Considered a relatively safe and straightforward procedure, you can typically expect to see and feel the full effects of Botox 10 to 14 days after the procedure.

Experts discuss how long it takes for Botox to work and how long you can expect to see and feel results.

»Learn more:What to know about the cometic use of Botox.

When does Botox take effect?

While some people report seeing the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days after an injection, Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says most patients will see results within 10 to 14 days.

Most people will see maximum results within 14 days to a few weeks.

What is the timeline for Botox for your forehead, crow’s feet, and between your brows?

The most common areas of the face for Botox include the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and between the eyebrows. In general, Trujillo says the finer the lines, the faster the results.

“For example, patients will generally see results more quickly in areas such as the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) and fine forehead lines,” he said.

However, Trujillo says the results may take longer for areas where the lines are deep or etched. “This includes the lines between the eyebrows or very deep or etched forehead lines,” he said.

According to Dr. Melanie Palm, a board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, it’s not that Botox injected in different areas takes different amounts of time to see results — it’s really the concentration of product injected and how it’s injected into the muscle that determines the ultimate effect.

That said, “It is possible that larger muscles receiving fewer units (such as the forehead) may appear to kick in slower than a smaller muscle (such as a weaker frown) receiving more units,” she explained.

Why does it take time to work?

Botox binds at a connection point between the muscles and nerves, called the motor endplate. When this happens, Palm says the nerves “bark orders” at the muscle to move, and the motor endplate of the nerves, which is the megaphone, hollers at the nerve to contract.

“Botox binds to a specific protein called SNARE at the motor endplate that sends chemical messages (the shouting protein, aka, acetylcholine) to tell the muscle to move,” said Palm.

Botox silences this game of telephone, and without the chemical acetylcholine being released, Palm says the muscle doesn’t move.

Although Botox binds quickly, Palm says the shutting off of SNARE and the silencing of acetylcholine take several days. This explains why the onset of Botox isn’t immediate but rather takes several days.

“Botox is administered by injection under the skin, where it is absorbed by nerve cells in contact with the muscle,” said Trujillo. In very basic terms, Trujillo says it takes time for Botox to take effect on the muscle and stop or weaken the muscle contraction that causes the lines and wrinkles to appear on the surface of the skin.

“Once those muscles stop contracting, the lines or wrinkles release, resulting in an improved appearance of the skin,” he added.

How does it feel when Botox starts working?

It’s working when your lines start to fade away. “The treated area will appear smoother and look more refreshed,” said Dr. Sapna Palep, founder of Spring Street Dermatology.

After your first treatment, Palep says you may feel a slightly tight sensation or a feeling of heaviness, which will subside in 1 to 2 weeks. You can typically tell that Botox is starting to wear off when you can see dynamic lines, the lines you typically see when you make facial expressions like smiling, frowning, or squinting, again with movement.

How long does Botox last?

While the results vary depending on factors such as the area treated and the frequency of injection, Trujillo says they generally last around 3 months.

In addition to the area treated and frequency of injection, the dose of Botox also affects how long it lasts. According to Palm, the higher the dose given in an area, the longer the effect on the muscles.

“Therefore, lighter dosing that looks most ‘natural’ may last only 6 to 8 weeks, while heavier dosing (more units) could last more than 6 months but ‘paralyze’ the appearance of muscles, such as the frown lines,” she said.

Because of the difference in results, Palm says this delicate balance between dose, desired look, and duration is something you should discuss with your healthcare professional prior to treatment to set proper expectations.

Where can you find a healthcare professional who administers Botox?

When it comes to finding a provider to administer Botox, it’s important to find a board certified physician. Often, people will seek treatment from a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

To find a board-certified dermatologist, you can search using the American Academy of Dermatology’s Find a Dermatologist tool. If you’re looking for a board certified plastic surgeon, you can use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Find a Plastic Surgeon Near Me tool.

When in doubt, talk with your healthcare professional about referrals in your area.

»FIND CARE:Find a Botox specialist in your area today.

Takeaway

Making the decision to get Botox injections isn’t something you should take lightly. While the procedure is simple and generally considered safe, it’s still an elective procedure that comes with risks.

Knowing the risks ahead of time, as well as the proper dose and timeline to meet your needs, can help you make an informed decision.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline 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.

Botulinum toxin. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin
Camargo CP, et al. (2021). Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8407355/
Padda IS, et al. (2023). Botulinum toxin.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557387/
Palep S. (2020). Personal interview.
Palm M. (2020). Personal interview.
Trujillo O. (2020). Personal interview.

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Sara Lindberg — Updated on July 18, 2025

How Long Does Botox Take To Work? Timeline And More - Healthline

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When does Botox take effect?

What is the timeline for Botox for your forehead, crow’s feet, and between your brows?

Why does it take time to work?

How does it feel when Botox starts working?

How long does Botox last?

Where can you find a healthcare professional who administers Botox?

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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